Shifting Toyota’s digital supply chain into overdrive.

Challenge

Always a leader in the automotive space, Toyota looked to digitize and automate its supply chain in order to better meet the growing demand for vehicle selection and availability. This would be a big lift for Toyota, but the company was firmly committed to improving efficiency, data collection, and decision-making around vehicle production and parts management.

Initially, a prominent management consulting firm was brought in to design and execute this digital transformation plan. While the consulting firm brought valuable expertise, Toyota faced challenges in finding specialized talent and managing the high costs. Additionally, the company anticipated talent gaps in the project's workforce needs. To stay ahead of these challenges, Toyota sought out new ideas to help them meet their business goals.

Solution

Aquent Talent provided a strategic workforce solution that not only filled critical talent gaps (for example, UX/UI Designer, Business Analyst, and Team Lead roles) but also became an integral part of Toyota's transformation team. Our tailored approach positioned us as a managed team service, meaning our professionals were embedded within Toyota's teams, working alongside their employees and bringing a consultative approach to problem-solving.

Unlike typical contingent workers, our talent operated more like consultants, challenging existing methods and offering alternative perspectives. Toyota managers encouraged this consultative approach, integrating our team into their leadership structure. By framing our services as a managed team, we were able to deliver a more strategic and flexible solution tailored to Toyota's needs.

Throughout the project, the Aquent Talent team provided weekly updates on progress, challenges, and outcomes, ensuring clear communication and transparency. This collaborative approach positioned us on a similar level to consulting firms, allowing us to work around some of Toyota's internal challenges and deliver a cost-effective alternative with significant results.

Results

By partnering with Aquent Talent, Toyota improved the efficiency of its digital supply chain transformation and enhanced the buying experience for its customers. A key outcome of this partnership was improved visibility into the production process, enabling consumers to track their vehicle orders in real time. This allowed Toyota to offer more personalized options to buyers and ensure that the right vehicles were available at the right time, directly impacting customer satisfaction and sales. 

Additionally, our model led to significant cost savings for Toyota, providing high-quality talent while reducing expenses compared to traditional consulting firms. 

The collaboration continues, with Aquent Talent positioned to help Toyota build a long-term, stable team to drive ongoing digital initiatives. This partnership is expected to further streamline production and enhance Toyota's ability to meet evolving consumer demands.