JUNE 2020AUTOTECHOUTLOOK.COM9and systematically began weekly negotiation meetings with them. It was a long tedious negotiation that involved counsel involvement for the duration of approximately 2 years. At the end of that long negotiation phase it culminated in 10-year multiyear agreements retroactive to 2010 through 2020. A closed loop scrap system was designed to include grade segregation therefore maximizing value for both Ford and the Mills. Without going into great detail, segregated aluminum scrap is much more valuable to the mill because it allows a much higher degree of melt shop efficiency. One or two lines in this article really do not do this effort justice. Imagine a vacuum system of overhead conveyor tubes transporting and shredding scrap then dispensing it through huge cyclones directly into universal trailers that could be covered and ship scrap directly back to the mill from which it came. Then that very same universal trailer can be loaded with coils and shipped to Ford. But wait don't imagine it, that's exactly what we did. Throughout these two years of negotiation many other obstacles were encountered and overcome. Here's an example, we determined that commercially available Titanium Zirconium (TiZr) pretreatment used to enhance adhesive weld bonding was not robust enough to meet our standards. However one of the suppliers had a proprietary and superior product that we desired. Our strategy though was never to single source which is why we pursued multiple sources to reduce risk and include supply redundancy. This meant that the proprietary pretreatment needed to be available to all. Hence, a side project was initiated to ensure the pretreatment was made commercially available. Easier said than done, trust me. Another example I'll cite was the supply strategy itself. We spent a considerable amount of time on Executive reviews due to concern over the supply strategy. Much due diligence was required to vet it and finally obtain internal approval. After all, consider that the F150 is the Crown Jewel of Ford Motor Company and significantly altering that platform needed input from all departments including Purchasing, Vehicle Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Legal, Warranty, Sales, Marketing, Research and Development, Prototype, etc. Modifying the body of this vehicle had to be extensively well thought out and it was at every level. Ultimately we did it. Instead of being a cautious follower we led with conviction and purpose putting Automotive Aluminum front and center on the map of industry events. This effort jump started the Automotive Aluminum Industry and created a lasting movement towards alternative materials and progress to 21st century efficiencies. Did we change the world? I'm not sure but I would say just ask some of the countless employees that were added to plants in Davenport Iowa and Oswego New York. To them we definitely changed the world Segregated aluminum scrap is much more valuable to the mill because it allows a much higher degree of melt shop efficiency
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