nuckolls.bob(at)cox.net
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 Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:53 am Post subject: Facts and Fables about the modern automotive alternator . . |
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I just got home from a trip to Tijuana, Mexico and
Torrance, California where I was the guess of Motorcar
Parts of America and in the company of 9 other individuals
who make their living distributing and selling car
parts.
The purpose of the trip was to get a first hand
look at what's possible when your fliver's alternator
or starter departs for the happy hunting ground.
We've all been an observer if not the beneficiary
of the work product of Smilely Jack's Pretty Good
Autoparts and Repair Shop. Over most of our lives,
we've acquired some notions what it means to have
an alternator or starter "repaired, refurbished,
or remanufactured". We've also been blessed with
ol' mechanics tales and the sermons of the devoutly
faithful when it comes to the physics and simple
ideas that support the functionality and endurance
of starters and alternators.
Finally, the largest (and most loosely controlled)
variable in selecting an off-the-shelf product is
driven by perceptions of quality . . . with each
of us having a different mental image or faith
with respect to the meaning of quality.
I can tell you that what I witnessed and learned over
the past three days was astounding. The facilities
I was privileged to visit were benchmark examples
of what it means to effectively implement all those
buzz words and phrases that our bosses and employers
have been tossing around for the past 20 years
like TQM, ISO9000, quality circles, etc, etc.
The folks at MPA didn't just go take the courses
we've all attended and then go home expecting
some miracle of transition to Nirvana to take place.
MPA (and their most capable competitors) have hired
the best chefs, given them the necessary authority
and resources to craft an end-to-end process that
starts with a lump of grease and dirt covered salvage
and convert it to a product that you can buy over
the counter with an expectation of equal to or better
performance than the part you took off the car.
I'll be working on a white paper that details what
I've learned. It's my hope that what I have to share
of this experience will be useful to the readers of
this List and my website. As a little teaser for things
to come, know that a great deal of what's been handed
down or even preached with great enthusiasm does not
track with reality. In the final analysis, simple ideas
of physics and the benefits of an honorable exchange
of value in a free-market will prevail. I am pleased
to have witnessed a finely tuned example of what is
possible when ignorant if not dishonorable folks are
prevented from spoiling a recipe for success.
Watch this space.
Bob . . .
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( . . . a long habit of not thinking )
( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )
( appearance of being right . . . )
( )
( -Thomas Paine 1776- )
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