DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee (DMTN)—DENSO’s North American Integrated Logistics (NAIL) continues to expand its benefits to DENSO group companies and affiliates by launching the first real-time, interactive website for the exchange of key logistical information.

“This data is necessary to support just-in-time ‘milkrun’ delivery systems among North America’s supply base and DENSO companies,” said Tim May, senior manager of the Production Control Administration/Transportation Department. May and assistant manager Paige Rose were the NAIL originators.

Milkruns are when DENSO truck carriers leave empty packaging at suppliers and pick up products to be delivered to affiliates.

The site, launched in September, is at www.densonail.com.

Coordinated at DMTN, the integrated transportation system began in 2001 when all North American DENSO presidents approved NAIL’s value and concept. To date, NAIL has generated cost reductions in excess of $3 million for DENSO in North America.

Designed for convenience and ease of use, the NAIL website:
• Centralizes data collection and data maintenance;
• Secures access (via password protection) to affiliate and supplier information;
• Organizes packaging detail organized by supplier and part number;
• Supports automated conversion of order information into shipping volume;
• Offers a message board for notification of NAIL schedule changes and route modifications; and
• Provides user-friendly maintenance capabilities.

May said DENSO management recognized from the inception that NAIL would need a user-friendly web-based support system to collect and maintain data.

“NAIL systems have grown from supporting only 13 suppliers and three group companies at its beginning to more than 300 suppliers and 11 group companies,” he said. “All North American DENSO companies, affiliates and joint ventures, plus their suppliers, should be integrated by the end of March 2005.”

In addition to supporting transportation, the new website has broader application for use by departments such as quality, production control and purchasing—all which work with suppliers on a daily basis.

A PowerPoint presentation explaining the web system will be mailed to all involved NAIL participants at DENSO companies and affiliates.

—Anne Klebenow