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Is Your Automotive Shop Floor Falling Behind? Signs You Need Better Traceability
When a customer files a warranty claim for a faulty part, incomplete records leave manufacturers guessing—is it a supplier defect or a production error? Without accurate traceability, minor issues quickly become costly headaches, causing rework, delays, and compliance risks. In fact, over 28 million automotive parts are recalled annually, highlighting just how critical robust traceability has become.
In this article, we’ll cover five key signs your automotive shop floor needs an improved traceability system.
Signs Your Automotive Shop Floor Needs Better Traceability
1. You Still Rely on Manual Tracking
If your operators rely on paper logs, spreadsheets, or outdated barcode systems, you're likely introducing errors, wasting time, and limiting your visibility. Manual tracking increases the risk of mislabeling, missed steps, and misplaced data, making it hard to pinpoint issues quickly and accurately.
See how MORryde International improved vehicle performance and durability by replacing manual processes with a traceability solution that enhances quality and efficiency.
2. Operators Struggle to Find Component Histories
When a warranty claim comes in or a production issue arises, how long does it take your team to retrieve essential part data? If the answer is more than a few seconds, your traceability system is slowing your operations down. An effective traceability system provides immediate access to every component’s history—from supplier to final assembly—allowing fast and informed responses.
3. Quality Issues Are Caught Too Late
If defects are regularly discovered only during final inspections or after products have shipped, your current traceability method isn’t proactive enough. A strong traceability system catches defects early, reducing the risk of costly rework, production delays, and recalls.
4. Supplier Accountability is Unclear
Your production line might be well-managed, but what about your suppliers? When a faulty part enters production, you should be able to trace it back instantly. If you can’t, thanks to inevitable back-and-forth communication, your traceability system is likely holding you back. Better traceability strengthens supplier relationships by ensuring clear accountability and faster resolution of issues. Instead of wondering where a defect originated, you’ll have definitive answers at your fingertips.
5. Your Systems Don’t Communicate Effectively
If your MES, ERP, and quality management systems aren’t in sync, your traceability data will be scattered across disconnected systems. This creates blind spots, making it impossible to track parts efficiently. This means that an effective traceability system should integrate seamlessly with your existing tech stack. For instance, PICO’s Digital Work Instruction integrates with ERPs, BOMs, BI Tools, as well as over 200 assembly tools. This allows for better visibility and ensures the entire business is operating from the same source of truth and a continuous flow of accurate data.
