BACKGROUND

The Bluegrass Automotive Manufacturers Association (BAMA) was established in 1989 as an independent corporation consisting of local Kentucky suppliers.  In 1991, BAMA expanded to include 6 additional local suppliers.  At that time, the main purpose of the association was to give Toyota Motor Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. a standard forum to provide an introduction to basic Toyota philosophies with an emphasis on the Toyota Production System (TPS). 

Since 1991, BAMA has undergone significant expansion in both its membership and mission.  In 1993, membership was expanded to include 20 additional suppliers, many from outside the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.  In 1994, 27 new members were added bringing the total number of members to 67 from throughout the United States, including some Canadian suppliers.  In 1995, 26 new members joined BAMA bringing the membership to 93.  In 2006, GAMA suppliers joined BAMA.   The current membership is about 120. 

Originally focusing on the introduction of TPS principles, BAMA has become a key educational and developmental resource for its members with topics ranging from Human Resources Management to Cost Management.  BAMA is now a major supplier development tool used to improve the overall performance of Toyota’s supply base. 

 

PURPOSE 

The Purpose of BAMA is to share Toyota philosophy, techniques and experiences with the supply base, providing an opportunity for interaction between Toyota and BAMA members and between the members themselves.  This sharing of continuous improvement methods between members should lead to long-term survival and mutual prosperity among members.

 

MEMBERSHIP 

There is a yearly membership fee of $1,000.  Companies need to solicit membership from Toyota by submitting a letter of interest to the department responsible for BAMA support.  The request along with the letter of commitment would then be reviewed by Toyota and BAMA.  The representative from the BAMA member company is typically a senior level operations executive who is committed to attending each BAMA meeting and in a position to assimilate the information presented within their own organization. 

          The BAMA Board of Directors consists of the following four officers:

President

Vice-President

Treasurer

Secretary

These officer positions are BAMA member representatives who are voted upon by the BAMA general assembly.  It should be noted that Toyota is not a member of BAMA and therefore not eligible for a position on the BAMA Board of Directors.  Toyota’s role is to serve as a consultant and an administrative facilitator. 

It is also important to note that direct competitors are among the BAMA member companies.  However, member companies are never requested to share proprietary or confidential information and can request that competitors not enter their facility if they are hosting a plant visit.

 

STRUCTURE

 BAMA is currently divided up into 13 regions and 3 national committees.  Regions are geographically based with usually between 8 and 12 member companies.  Regions select their own focus, but it must be plant floor activity.  The plant floor activity is to last 2 to 3 days and the regions are required to have 4 per year at different member plants.  The 3 national committees are the Education Committee, Best Practices and Voice of Supplier. 

There are 3 National meetings per year that usually last about 4 hours.  These will include presentations from Toyota, BAMA members and guest speakers. 

BAMA members need to select an “A-Level” and “Key plant” person as defined below:

“A-level” member is a senior executive member who has some ultimate responsibility for manufacturing for the member company according to the BAMA membership policy and constitution and by laws. It is preferred that the A level member be the President of the company or the Executive Contact, but we realize in many cases this is not feasible. In these cases the Executive contact selects a senior executive form his staff to be the A level representative for the company. The A- level member attends the quarterly meetings and sits as a member of one of five committees. This person is responsible for providing leadership and direction of committee activities and assigns "key persons" from his organization to participate/conduct the activities developed by his/her committee or any activity developed by another committee.

Activities:

(1) Attends national meetings.

(2) Attends plant activity that his company is involved and one other per year.

“Key plant” any staff or functional person within a BAMA member company who can derive direct benefit/value for the member company by participating in a BAMA committee sponsored activity. This person can come from many parts of the supplier organization depending upon of course the scope and focus of the activity. (Program Mgmt, Quality, Production Mgmt, Engineering, Information Systems, etc) The key person may participate in a one-time activity (Plant Visit, Focus Group, Survey) or a repetitive activity, (Kaizen Workshop, Trial activity, etc). This depends on how the A level members of the committee designs the intent of the activity and what the anticipated results are. The key person is not a member of the committee that the A level member sits on.

Activities:

(1) Coordinates plant activity at own site.

(2) Participates in regional activity.

Toyota supports the activity with an advisor and Subject Matter Expert (SME).  Roles are:

Advisor role: Keep plant activity focused on improving plant condition and people development of all attendees.

Activities:

(1) Attend Plant activity at suppliers

(2) Participate in conference calls as requested by the Region Members.

(3) Follow-up with Toyota groups as needed at TEMA

(4) Complete BAMA survey about the advisor role (6 months in 2007FY, Annual in 2008FY +)

(5) Assist in teaching the Toyota 8 Step problem solving process.

(6) Work with SME to have a consistent message from Toyota

(7) Review / improve all presentation and workshop material to be used outside the region.

 

Subject Matter Expert: An individual who understands the processes related to the region theme and can assist in the problem solving process and people development.

Do's

(1) Assist in Training

(2) Explain the Toyota 8 step problem solving process

(3) Guide committee to use the Toyota 8 Step problem solving process

(4) Complete BAMA survey about the SME role (6 months in 2007FY, Annual in 2008FY +)

(5) Follow-up with Toyota groups as needed at NAMC

(6) Work with Advisor to have a consistent message from Toyota

 

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS

BAMA members are expected to seek and further develop and strengthen current relationships with Toyota and fellow BAMA members.  Additionally, members are expected to take advantage of the educational and developmental opportunity offered through participation in BAMA, and become active participants.  This includes consistent meeting attendance, participation in the roundtable discussions as well as in their assigned Committee, question and answer sessions held at each meeting, and a willingness to share problems, experiences, and problem solutions with fellow members.

The time commitment associated with BAMA membership varies for new members and fully assimilated members (members with more than one year of membership).  All members are expected to participate in quarterly general assembly meetings, including an Annual Business Meeting.  BAMA members are also given the opportunity to participate in up to two plant visits per year. 
 

BAMA BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTIONS 

BAMA President

• Act in accordance with the “BAMA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.”

• Preside at all BAMA quarterly meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and Board of Director meetings.

• Prepare and present Annual President’s Message at annual meeting and all quarterly meetings.

• Play principal role as liaison for BAMA to Toyota.

• Represent BAMA at Toyota functions and events as invited.

BAMA Vice President

• Act in accordance with the “BAMA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.”

• Shall serve in the absence of the President and perform such additional duties as may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.

• Shall serve as liaison between the Chairmen/Co-Chairmen of the six standing committees and the Board of Directors.

• Request, follow-up, receive and summarize BAMA metrics from the committees.

• Present BAMA Metrics summary at each of the Quarterly Meetings.

• Encourage discussion and activity within each committee to improve Metrics.

• Receive and review the annual plans of each committee.

• Conduct that portion of Executive Committee meetings dealing with committee reports.

• Follow-up with each committee to ensure adequate action plans are developed to ensure timely completion according to plan.

• Assist Committee Chairmen/Co-Chairmen as needed.

BAMA Secretary

• Act in accordance with the “BAMA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.”

• Maintain all BAMA membership list(s).

• Keep minutes of all BAMA Quarterly meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and Board of Director meetings.

• Present Board of Director nominees to BAMA membership for confirmation at the annual meeting.

• Send welcome letter and introductory letter to new members.

• Oversee mentoring assignment of new members to BAMA.

BAMA Treasurer

• Act in accordance with the “BAMA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.”

• Maintain the utmost integrity and accuracy in all financial related activities including, but not limited to, the generation of reports and the reporting  of all financial activities.

• Maintain accurate Statement of Revenue and Expenses.  Submit to Board of Directors in monthly Treasurer’s report.

• Maintain accurate Balance Sheet.  Submit to Board of Directors in monthly Treasurer’s report.  Present to full BAMA membership at quarterly meetings.

• Maintain checking account and reconcile account on monthly basis.  Maintain accurate Statement of Transactions and submit to Board of Directors in monthly Treasurer’s report.

• Review, approve, and pay all invoices for BAMA activities.  Assure that all transactions are properly authorized and recorded.

• Establish and maintain the BAMA membership dues collection process on a yearly basis, and as required for new members, issue the invoices for the annual dues and process all collections.  Ensure that there is 100% compliance and report as required the progress and activities to the Board of Directors and the BAMA membership.

• On a yearly basis complete the proper tax documents and file these documents with the State of Kentucky and the Federal Government in a timely manner to meet all filing deadlines.

• Establish and maintain an audit procedure to ensure that the collection and disbursement of funds, records of financial transactions and preparation of the financial reports are done to BAMA Board of Directors’ approved standards.

• Prepare and present, as required, all financial reports for audit.