Case study: Purchasing and Supply in Toyotas Supply Chain In a manufacturing and assemblytype organisation such as Toyota, the organisational functions (purchasing, production, marketing, finances, logistics and humans resources) are performed in an integrated manner within a supply chain. The functions of purchasing, operations and logistics are particularly integrated in a supply chain and cannot be separated. Not only are the internal organizational functions performed in an integrated manner, but the suppliers of the organisation are also integrated by means of planning, systems and longterm relationships. In the same way, the customers are linked to the supply chain. Information, money and materials flow through the whole supply chain as a unit as if it is one organisation. In the supply chain management approach, the purchasing and supply function plays an increasingly important role with regard to the selection of and relationship with suppliers. With over 25 000 possible combinations of parts that can be assembled into one Toyota vehicle, it becomes clear how complicated the supply chains and particularly the production system, selection of suppliers, inventory control and quality control are (RudanskyKloppers. 2016:2016) Suppliers are referred to as business partners. Toyota prefers longterm relationships with suppliers in order to realise mutual growth based on mutual trust. A longterm, mutually beneficial mindset is an important criterion for the selection of suppliers. Toyota suppliers are also assessed using the standard key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, quality, delivery and environmental issues. Of those, cost is the most important to Toyota, while environmental issues are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, Toyota expects their suppliers to be ISO14001 compliant, which means that suppliers must apply certain standards to manage their impact on the environment with the materials they use, production processes, waste, scrap, packaging, disposal of the end [product and so on. The sustainability of suppliers is important for Toyota. Sustainability means, firstly, that a supplier must be a viable organization and that this organization is able to adapt and survive in future. Therefore, Toyota not only purchases parts from suppliers but also develops suppliers capabilities. For example, they train suppliers in the Toyota production system (TPS) and they use retired employees who have knowledge of production and logistics to work with the suppliers. As part of their longterm mindset, Toyota has started to involve suppliers early on in the design process. Early supplier involvement (ESI) occurs when a strategic supplier provides product and process technology and knowledge to support the buyers operation (Wisner et al., 2016: 117). Key strategic suppliers are able to make vital contributions in the areas of quality, cost and timely market availability of new products. For example, the core competency of designing Toyota car seats now lies with Toyota Boshoku. Toyota will indicate to Toyota Boshoku how they expect car seats to function and what they want them to look and feel like. Toyota Boshoku will then be responsible for the development, design, procurement of parts and production. Toyota aims to develop a few suppliers (say two or three) that can supply a certain part in order to maintain competition within the supplier base. (Naude, 2009: 139). Supplier innovation within Toyota is critical and the company gives an annual award to the top supplier for innovation. The playing field for local automotive component manufacturers (ACMs) has changed over the last few years. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as Toyota, are now sourcing components on a global basis at the lowest possible cost. In order to survive, the South African ACMs need to compete with the best in the world from a cost and quality perspective. Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota South Africa thus employ world best practices in the management of their supply chain. This includes the Toyota Production System, aimed at a waste reduction, lean principles, quality, justin time approach and continuous improvement. Likewise, inventory and suppliers are managed according to best practice. The result is quite clear: in South Africa, Toyota South Africa ranks among the top 10 international distributers they have a good reputation and have received numerous awards over the past decades for product quality and performance in many areas (Rudansky Kloppers, 2016: 217218). Source: Ambe,.M., BadenhorstWeiss, J.A. ,Cilliers,J.O., & Dhlamin, W (2018). Purchasing and Supply Management, Van Schaik Publishers, 7th Edition. 1.1 Toyota needs an uninterrupted flow of goods, materials and services to operate successfully. Explain how Toyota South Africas Purchasing and Management function influences other enterprise or organisational functions. (15) 1.2 Outline the most outstanding features or success of Toyota South Africas Purchasing and Supply Management function. Motivate your answer. (25)