With his passion for challenging the status quo, Schutter will contribute to AIAG’s collaborative initiatives to streamline the industry and enhance competitiveness in practical, actionable ways.

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, June 22, 2017 — The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announces the appointment of David Schutter, vice president-supplier quality development for Kongsberg Automotive, to its board of directors. More than 20 executives from the automotive and transportation OEM and supplier community currently serve on the AIAG board, representing a cross-section of its member companies.

AIAG’s board of directors is responsible for maintaining the organization’s commitment to a seamless, efficient, and responsible supply chain by providing strategic direction and overseeing the organization’s collaborative effort to build and enhance the industry’s competitiveness.

With over 30 years of automotive experience, and as a senior member of Kongsberg’s Global Purchasing and Quality Management teams, Schutter leads an elite team of innovators and problem solvers with a mission to challenge conventionality. “I have always lived by the vision that we must challenge the status quo for a better future,” Schutter says. “AIAG is one of the most important organizations in the automotive industry. It embodies a collaborative effort to improve the industry at very practical and usable levels.”

Schutter joined Kongsberg Automotive in December 1999 and is currently responsible for driving change and developing the organization’s strategic vision in supplier quality. Under his leadership, Kongsberg has enjoyed 15 percent reductions year over year in supplier claims and PPMs. He has been instrumental in streamlining Kongsberg’s supplier quality systems and processes, an area of expertise that he will contribute to the AIAG board of directors. In addition to his many years in supplier quality, Schutter’s career also includes experience in sales, purchasing, corporate responsibility, supplier diversity, manufacturing, and as a 401K trustee.

Schutter earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ferris State University and a Master’s of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. He has been a member of AIAG for many years and recently served as the alternate for Kongsberg’s board of director seat.

“AIAG actively challenges the status quo through the programs that it develops and is an efficient, well-run and very structured organization that I am proud to be a part of,” Schutter says. “I have been involved in AIAG for many years and witnessed the progress that it has made to streamline critical aspects of our industry.”

One reason Schutter remains committed to AIAG is because of the impact membership has made on Kongsberg Automotive. “Our company moved to a new supplier auditing format titled VDA 6.3. AIAG was very proactive in embracing this direction with us, and within a short period of time, provided a certified training program to support the initiative,” he notes.

During his tenure on the AIAG board, Schutter’s goal is to support AIAG in its vision for the industry. “It is a rewarding opportunity to contribute and be a part of potential new ideas that can help transform the future state of the automotive industry,” he says.

About AIAG

Created by the auto industry for the auto industry, AIAG is a not-for-profit organization with more than 34 years of experience working with OEMs, suppliers, service providers, government, and academia to collaboratively drive down costs and streamline the complexity of the supply chain by developing global standards and harmonizing business practices. There are more than 1,500 AIAG member companies, including Arctic Cat, Caterpillar, FCA — North America, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Harley-Davidson, Honda of America Manufacturing, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Volkswagen Group of America, and many of their part suppliers and service providers. Learn more at www.aiag.org.