Auto-parts supplier GHSP hired Ludwing Vergara as its new VP of procurement and supply chain management, according to a July 11 press release.
Vegara will focus on supply chain stabilization and delivery efficiency in his new role at GHSP, the press release said. To attain stability, he will utilize a four-pronged approach, Vergara told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
First, he said that the company plans to improve cost modeling, demand forecasting and inventory management with advanced procurement and supply chain analytics. Vergara will also focus on managing product launches and strengthening supplier relationships through robust development programs.
Vergara also said he plans to leverage the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Regional Value Content and nearshoring to focus on a “proximity to market approach.” This should reduce lead times and transportation costs while improving responsiveness to changes in the market, he said.
“This strategic sourcing within the USMCA region will also enable us to reduce dependency on distant suppliers, mitigating risks associated with geopolitical tensions and global disruptions. The result will be reduced tariffs, lower overall production costs, and improved profitability for GHSP,” Vergara said.
Lastly, Vergara said his efforts will foster closer collaboration with stakeholders — internally between GHSP departments, such as procurement and engineering, as well as external partners and customers.The goal is to better align supply chain strategies with overall business objectives, he said.
“By having our SCM teams laser-focus on these four dimensions, we aim to create a more agile and responsive supply chain function,” Vergara said.
Vergara’s resume includes multiple supply chain leadership positions at various auto suppliers.
Before joining GHSP, Vergara was the principal and managing director at procurement and supply chain management consultancy Procurare Enterprises, per his LinkedIn page. Prior to that, he was the executive director of procurement for North America at auto supplier Marelli after serving as a purchasing director at Faurecia Automotive Seating.
Vergara’s appointment comes as the auto industry works through the fallout from last year’s United Auto Workers strikes and the recent CrowdStrike outage. Such interruptions can cause backlogs, leading to potential congestion and delays, which can be particularly damaging to the already complicated automotive supply chain.
