MBE Wingard Quality Services has supplied Volkswagen with tire and wheel assemblies for 14 years. Ongoing collaboration and communication are the best practices enabling both companies to grow together. - BY BETTY ARMSTRONG

For more than two decades, the Wingard name has been synonymous with tire and wheel assembly in the automotive industry. And, for good reason. Since 2002, Wingard Quality Supply (WQS), currently led by James Wingard, second generation President and CEO, has supplied more than 30 million tire and wheel assemblies to global automotive manufacturers, including Toyota and Volkswagen.

Founded by James’ father, Jesse Wingard, a veteran of the automotive industry, WQS’ first customer was New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), a joint venture of General Motors and Toyota. This partnership continued until NUMMI closed its doors in 2010, as the industry struggled to rebound from the Great Recession. That same year, James took the helm at WQS and began overseeing its operations in Lafayette, Ind. Shortly after, the company got its break: a new contract with Volkswagen, to manufacture tire and wheel assemblies in Chattanooga, Tenn., where WQS headquarters now calls home.

In addition to the Volkswagen contract, WQS supplies tire and wheel assemblies and other work for Toyota’s Tundra and Sequoia and has recently earned a contract with Subaru.

An Eye on Long-Term Success

When asked about the future, James says what is most important is for WQS’ success to continue for his sons. Three sons currently work for the company, with a fourth in high school, all destined to help continue and expand WQS. Their plan for long-term success is based on the company’s now multi-generational commitment to maintaining quality and providing collaborative customer service.

“We follow a just-in-time (JIT) inventory system that aligns production schedules with customer orders. Other assembly companies are using a batch bill system in which they manufacture extra products and ship them as orders come in,” explains James. “I’m using state-of-the-art equipment that enables me to turn orders around quickly, so we do not need to stockpile inventory.” He adds that people think of tires and wheels as standard products that do not often change, but like all automotive components, they evolve. Tires are changed to improve gas mileage and wheel faces are redesigned, which means tire inflation equipment must change, and so on. Using a JIT system means his company can more easily stay current on technology and manufacturing systems and maintain flexibility and adaptability to customer changes. This also means that WQS does not have to worry about being left with obsolete inventory.

WQS proactively explores new solutions that can benefit their customers. In one example, James found a soap used to mount tires harmed the equipment, so he found another supplier who made a less-harmful soap at a lower cost but delivered the same quality results as the original soap. James notified Volkswagen, which ran testing samples, and everyone agreed the new product would work. This kind of collaboration defines the relationship between WQS and Volkswagen.

WQS adheres to several key best practices. “We give our customers the right product and on time so the deliveries are never out of sequence or holding up the customer’s production lines. We also work to ensure they get quality work and products work properly, like making sure the tires have the right air pressure and the TPMS value works correctly,” explains James.

Whatever the customer requests, WQS makes sure the customer gets it. If Volkswagen requests faster delivery or a new process, James designs new processes to meet customer needs. He must also work closely with his vendors, like those in Mexico, to share information and keep everyone on the same page so the WQS supply chain is not disrupted.

Making Sure the Rubber Keeps Hitting the Road

Communication is always a key element of a successful supplier- customer relationship. WQS and Volkswagen have developed excellent communication over the years, including discussing technical issues and indulging in small talk.

Shaquanta Locke is the Supplier Equity and Inclusion Manager at Volkswagen Group of America. According to James, “Shaquanta and I do a lot of small talk to keep communication going. We both talk and listen and email to keep communication flowing.” Shaquanta adds, “James and his business have to acclimate to whatever Volkswagen is changing as the company innovates and continually improves. This can make suppliers nervous because they wonder if Volkswagen will be able to keep its supply chain the way it is now. There must be good communication.”

As an example, Volkswagen is changing its job per hour (JPH) based on a capacity study, which requires WQS to add another piece of equipment. During the normal automotive shutdown week in July, WQS is installing the new equipment on a tight deadline. Mark DiRuscio, Purchasing Director, Commodity Exterior at Volkswagen of America, said people from Volkswagen will visit WQS to make sure everything is ready to start up when the Volkswagen plant reopens. “Volkswagen recently supported Wingard in increasing capacity to support our volume increases for the 4,950 weekly Volkswagen Atlas production. Without this increase, the rubber would literally have never hit the road.” This kind of collaboration supports the successful relationship between Wingard and Volkswagen and keeps both companies growing.

Expanding and Growing for Years to Come

James plans on opening a new WQS facility in the coming years. He wants to grow his business and eventually pass it on to his four sons, while aiming to give each their own facility to manage one day.

Passing on what his father started and growing the business is important to James, which is why he spends time looking forward. to anticipate where the auto industry is going. “When innovations appear, I determine what WQS can do to remain competitive as a supplier. We successfully adapted to electric vehicles with different tire sizes and can adapt to whatever changes we need going forward, even if it is flying cars.”

Empowering People Inside and Outside the Company

As a minority business owner, James believes suppliers should discuss their journey with others to empower diverse communities. He shares information with small and diverse business owners and helps them as much as possible, including assisting a woman with completing her application for status as a minority-owned business. “We must share our journey,” says James. Shaquanta agrees and revealed, “I recently had the idea that businesses like Volkswagen and WQS need to support youth mentoring. I thought James would be an asset to such an effort.” James readily agreed to support the effort while expressing appreciation for Shaquanta's encouragement to step outside his comfort zone.

Sharing knowledge externally is important, but leadership begins internally. James is visible to his workforce. He knows the names of every employee working the three shifts. James regularly visits each of the three shifts, too, so employees know who he is and can talk to him, allowing him to recognize potential.

“I had a team member who needed to improve his productivity but knew he could be a good supervisor if he took his work seriously. He was more interested in spending time with his friends on the street or skipping work. I talked to him about his children and their ongoing need for him, but he would lose his job if he did not improve his attendance.” The result was the employee considered the advice and has done an excellent job of changing his behavior. Communication is empowering.

Lasting Partners

What differentiates a supplier for Volkswagen Shaquanta says, “For me, the most important thing when working with companies is that they listen, accept guidance, and understand what we are trying to do to make vendors successful. So the ones that listen, pay attention, meet our needs, and know how to partner are the most beneficial.” Mark agrees. “Wingard has a proven track record with Volkswagen Chattanooga in quality and delivery performance. I always take comfort in knowing that the President and CEO is involved in all topics ranging from supply chain management to line optimizations.” Mark anticipates a long and successful supplier relationship with Wingard. “Wingard is a lasting partner that will continue to grow with Volkswagen as our business continues to grow.”