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Can the Automotive Industry Continue to Grow Despite the Problems with the Economy? An Interview with Laurie Harbour, President and CEO of Harbour Results on the State of the Automotive Industry

Posted by Craig Carrel on Mon, Dec 12, 2011
  
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Craig Carrel, President Team 1 Plastics, recently interviewed Laurie Harbour, President and CEO of Harbour Results on the state of the automotive industry. Laurie has over 20 years experience working with automotive companies and is regularly quoted in local and national publications as an experienced auto and operational analyst. She recently was the President of the Society of Automotive Analysts.

Team 1 has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Laurie and Harbour Results and she has played a critical role in the development of our strategic plan. We were pleased to spend some time with Laurie and discuss the current state of the automotive industry, lessons learned from the recession and Japan earthquake along with challenges and opportunites for growth in this globally competitive industry.

We would appreciate your feedback on whether you thought this information was useful, suggestions for improvement, new questions, and other topic areas. Please go to this feedback form to provide your feedback and a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card. 

UPDATE-January 3, 2012: We had 26 views of our feedback page and 4 people submitted their feedback for the $50 VISA gift card. Doug Stratton was the lucky winner. We appreciate everyone viewing these video interviews and your response and feedback has exceeded our expectations. We are already planning a video interview on Activity Based Costing/Pricing for late January and another plastic industry update from another plastic expert in February. Stay tuned!

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For additional information on

Team 1 Plastics – contact us or call Craig Carrel at (517) 629-2178 ext. 11

Harbour Results - website or call Laurie Harbour at (248) 629-9331

Watch the interview to hear Laurie’s perspective on the current state of the automotive industry.

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Comments

I appreciated the original thoughts and hope that Laurie is right about the "relationship" between companies and how they might change. Good job Craig - keep them coming!
Posted @ Sunday, December 18, 2011 3:47 PM by Joe Fulsher
Joe, 
 
 
 
We are glad you enjoyed the interview. We have seen a positive change in our customer/supplier relationship since 2008. The key will be whether it lasts or do we go back to the old ways.
Posted @ Monday, December 19, 2011 8:27 AM by Craig Carrel
I enjoyed the interview and look forward to the continued recovery in the US and local supply chain. 
 
Posted @ Monday, December 19, 2011 2:03 PM by Chris Berry
Chris, 
 
It looks like the automotive marketplace is leading the U.S. economy and we hope it continues. Thanks for your comments.
Posted @ Monday, December 19, 2011 3:23 PM by Craig Carrel
Thanks for sending me the interview. I think you and Laurie are right on the state of the future of the automotive economy. Your flexibility will be key and controlling costs better than your competition. I alos think the relationship issue is important. Very good interview.
Posted @ Monday, December 19, 2011 4:09 PM by Terrence Bruce DeWeerd
Terry, 
 
You bring up a great point about relationships. At the end of the day it is still about developing strong relationships that will make both companies prosper. Thanks for your feedback.
Posted @ Monday, December 19, 2011 4:17 PM by Craig Carrel
Thank you so much for sending along the interview. It was extremely interesting and I found, point on, in terms of Laurie's views and the state of the automotive market. I think that the companies that have survived the last few years in this industry have done so not only on cost and delivery, but customer service and their abilities to weather the storm.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 20, 2011 7:23 AM by Kathy Steggall
congratulations to Team One for their work, experience and interest in the high register as a solid business in the injection molding. Their quality and reputation have passed the border, leading to several countries in the world. 
 
Mr. Craig, congratulations for his work and efforts are bearing fruit and one team will be our first choice in projects future roadmap for MANN + HUMMEL MEXICO.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:38 AM by Lugardo Paredes
Craig 
Thanks for sharing the interview.it reinforces some of the things that we are seeing and hope they continue. 
Congrats on taking a proactive approach.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 20, 2011 10:34 AM by Lynn Scott
Great Blog Craig. Another positive for American industry is the continuing implosion of the Euro experiment causing productivity, taxation and uncertainty issues for the European manufacturers
Posted @ Tuesday, December 20, 2011 2:31 PM by Ronald Beebe
Craig, 
 
well done interview. Well understandable even for non-native speakers. :-) 
 
Godd to see that you are always trying to be on top of action. Hope to stay in long contact with Team 1
Posted @ Thursday, December 22, 2011 1:56 AM by Bernd
Kathleen, Lugardo, Lynn, Ron, Bernd, 
 
Thank you for your positive feedback. We have been extremely pleased by the feedback for this interview and we are already scheduling our next one in early 2012. We also have received some great suggestions from our feedback form and look forward to incorporating some of these suggestions into future interviews.
Posted @ Friday, December 23, 2011 1:54 PM by Craig Carrel
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