With the integration of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies into every facet of the manufacturing process, OEMs and their suppliers have achieved incredible levels of efficiency and quality control. But until recently, manufacturers have struggled to mirror such quantitative optimisation on the supply chain side.

Historically, a lack of data has limited the extent to which supply chain managers could implement data-driven strategies. But today, new tools powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) are making it possible for the automotive supply chain to adopt many of the data-driven optimisation techniques pioneered in manufacturing…