Host Jeff Plumblee interviews Bernd Brandstaetter, Director of Project Management at IFA. Bernd shares his career highlights and what he loves about project management. He acknowledges it takes a thick skin. Bernd discusses the impact of the USMCA on supply chains, including the requirement of 75% local sourcing of steel. Jeff and Bernd note the setbacks caused in the supply chain by the COVID-19 pandemic. Another topic is setting the right balance with automation. Bernd shares the KPIs of project management and concludes that a part of project management is managing himself. Listen in for the inside scoop of life as an automotive supplier.   Key Takeaways: As Director of Project Management at IFA, Bernd is responsible for all new product launches in Germany, the U.S., Poland, and China. Bernd lists previous positions he has held. Berndt discusses stable supply chains, OEM, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and going to the cheapest supplier in low-cost countries. How has the United-States–Mexico–Canada Agreement affected supply chains? It all depends on finding strategic suppliers including 75% local sourcing requirements. In Bernd’s current projects, he has 50 to 80% of suppliers out of the U.S. Besides suppliers, labor costs have a great impact. COVID-19 introduced severe supply chain problems. Supplies were delayed. Products were delayed. Prices skyrocketed. Cutting back on our needs will help in the long run. Establish trust within your supply chain. Automation is key to becoming cost-competitive. Automation requires investment. With automation you need to have constant production or the fixed costs will kill you over time. You need trained people to maintain it. Project management software accounts for all aspects of the project and tracks KPIs. For Bernd, the KPIs are supply, quality, costs, delivery, and motivation. Bernd explains the areas where smaller companies can beat out the big players.   Brought to you by Moovila — Autonomous Project Management Website: Moovila.com/thisprojectlife Email: [email protected] Resources: Moovila.com Bernd Brandstaetter IFA Rotorion OEM Supply Chain