Plante Moran Buys Firm that Tracks Supplier Relations

A Detroit-area firm that tracks the health of the working relationship between carmakers and their suppliers has been acquired by Southfield, Mich.-based Plante Moran pllc.

Planning Perspectives Inc.’s widely followed Working Relations Index has charted the ups and downs of supplier attitudes toward carmakers for 18 years. Terms of the sale weren’t disclosed.

This year’s analysis revealed a continuing decline in business relations. PPI President John Henke, who will continue as a consultant for one year, says the deterioration suggests carmakers either lack a consistent supplier relations program or poorly execute the one they have.

PPI and its studies will be merged into Plante Moran’s Strategy and Automotive/Mobility Consulting practice, headed by longtime industry expert Daron Gifford.

The annual study itself will be directed by Dave Andrea, who joined Plante Moran last month from the Center of Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.