Thailand: a year after the floods

In a series of interviews with senior executives at Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota - the key players in Thailand's blossoming car industry - this report uncovers the weaknesses and strengths of the supply chain as the flood waters rose.

It looks at the different strategies used by the companies and the lessons learnt, making this an invaluable report for all those operating in any part of the world prone to natural disasters.

It also examines the state of the Thailand auto industry and its short-term prospects. As wages rise and with a shortage of skilled workers, what can be done to maintain the country's role as a key south-east Asia hub?

1 How the floods developed
More than 13.6m people affected
USD45.7bn of economic damage
Lack of warnings

2 Supply chain halted
Labour shortage is now a new threat
Exports badly affected,

3 General Motors: well prepared but still suffered
Floods were 'defining moment'
Volunteer work helped save the day
Employment costs rise

4 Ford keen to increase capacity
Concerted team effort saved the day
Integrated plan with suppliers

5 Japanese firms hit by double disaster
Floods follow tsunami and earthquake
Spreading the risk
Shortage of parts as 177 suppliers affected
Staff arrive by boat
Local supply chain breaks

6 What and where next
Incentives kick-start sales

7 Conclusion: Continuous crisis planning is vital
Floods, earthquakes, blackouts: get used to them
Contingency plans have to be kept fresh.

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