Automotive Suppliers Must Accelerate Toward "Oligopoly" Not Broad M&A Strategy, Suggests New Accenture Supplier Index.

Business Editors

DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2001

The rash of automotive supplier mega-mergers and acquisitions during the last three years has failed to help these companies achieve their goals for increased margins, according to the Accenture Global Supplier Index (GSI).

Now, as the frenzy of larger M&A deals has subsided - from a global peak of US $94 billion in 1998 to $55 billion in 2000 - suppliers must make smarter deals faster and consolidate around their leading segments, such as interiors or powertrain.

The Accenture GSI, which measures the health and performance of 20 large, publicly traded companies, provides insights into the current challenges of the auto supplier industry. To reflect the continuing globalization of the industry, Accenture has expanded the 2001 Supplier Index - the third since its inception - to include global companies, rather than focusing solely on North American companies.

The GSI, which is calculated by totaling three, equally weighted operating metrics for the 20 suppliers, includes a rolling four-quarter average growth rate, return on assets (ROA) and return on sales (ROS) indexed to 1994. The most recent findings include the following:

-- Average revenue growth declined sharply - from 22.1 percent to five percent
- largely due to low production volumes.

-- Operating return on sales slipped over the past four years - from 6.7
percent to 5.9 percent.

-- Operating return on assets declined 18 percent since 1994.

"The trend of the Global Supplier Index indicates the industry is caught in an unstable environment - or value squeeze - created by the lowest car prices in two decades, increasing demands from OEMs to lower prices and pressure on suppliers to assume more capital risk. In the future, we expect to see only two or three suppliers survive within each industry segment," said Randy Barba, partner in the Accenture Automotive industry group.

TOP PERFORMERS

GKN and Faurecia in Europe and Tower in North America top the 2001 Global Supplier Index.

-- GKN's strong revenue growth was supported by its acquisitions

and alliances that offered the company broader customer and

geographic reach. The company also grew by investing in

research and development. In addition, better than average

cost efficiencies helped them leverage higher volumes from

OEMs.

-- Faurecia's revenue growth in 1999 and 2000 was due primarily

to its acquisition of AP Auto and Sommer Allibert - two deals

that should provide the company with a springboard for growth

in the North American seating, exhaust system and cockpit

segments. The company will, however, need to improve its ROA

and ROS, which are below average as a result of this growth.

-- Tower's revenue growth, derived primarily through M&A, jumped

from $83 million in annual revenue in 1992 to $2.53 billion in

2000. While this growth has slowed steadily since its high

point in 1997, the company has efficiently integrated acquired

companies into its operations and quickly realized synergies.

"Our Global Supplier Index suggests that suppliers have an opportunity to accelerate their M&A synergies and reverse the decline in ROA, but a turnaround won't be easy," said Barba. "Companies must take three key steps. First, they must focus on achieving operating excellence around core capabilities. Second, they must outsource non-core capabilities. Finally, they must concentrate on acquisitions and divestitures to achieve market dominance. The companies that implement these changes will emerge as the industry leaders."

ABOUT ACCENTURE

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is the world's leading provider of management and technology consulting services and solutions, with more than 75,000 people in 46 countries delivering a wide range of specialized capabilities and solutions to clients across all industries. Accenture operates globally with one common brand and business model designed to enable the company to serve its clients on a consistent basis around the world. Under its strategy, Accenture is building a network of businesses to meet the full range of any organization's needs - consulting, technology, outsourcing, alliances and venture capital. The company generated revenues before reimbursements of $9.75 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000, and $8.67 billion for the nine months ended May 31, 2001. Its home page is http://www.accenture.com.