INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: AM General

Mark A. Whalen
Vice President, Service Parts Logistics
Operations and Supply Chain
Management – Military
AM General LLC

A: Over the past 40 plus years, TACOM has awarded us contracts to support a multitude of vehicles and weapons. Some of the contracts included the M151A1 Jeep, Abrams battle tank, bridging equipment, bridge erection boats, MRAPs, HMMWVs, mine clearing equipment and heavy tactical trucks. This work includes the full array of logistical support. We have two groups that interact as one. Our Service Parts and Logistics Operations [SPLO] supplies parts, kits, training and, most recently, supply chain management to Letterkenny and Red River Army depots. Our SPLO facility encompasses over 400,000 square feet from which we supply some 30,000 plus parts for various vehicles and systems. Within this facility we also have a dedicated training area about the size of a small school. This is where we train military personnel on different vehicle systems, diagnostics and repair. In addition, we have a 320-acre test facility, where we instruct students on how to operate and recover different vehicles in extreme environments.

The other group is our Integrated Logistics Support [ILS] group. From provisioning to interactive electronic technical manuals they are responsible for all disciplines of ILS. When you combine both of these operations together, it is a winning team that is unrivaled in expertise and commitment to quality.

Q: Please indicate the primary business areas of AM General and briefly explain the functions of each.

A: In addition to our ILS and SPLO groups, we have our commercial operations, which is currently responsible for the manufacturing of the General Motors H2. Early next year we will be adding another product line to that facility. Since 1985, we have been the sole source for production of the HMMWV, which includes the ILS and SPLO support.

Q: With AM General’s standing as a major player in the military logistics arena, how do you plan to focus on meeting key DoD logistics objectives?

A: We see one of the biggest challenges facing DoD today as the sustainment and reconstitution of forces involved in the war on terrorism. The sustainment of equipment in the field has been a major challenge. Every month a vehicle is in combat operations is equal to a year of normal wear and tear. This has put a tremendous strain on our nation’s industrial base. Demand has more than quadrupled from the pre-war period and critical raw materials have been in short supply. We have joined with DLA in a “Strategic Suppliers Alliance” to find supply chain solutions to this problem. This alliance has enjoyed tremendous success proven by the high readiness levels experienced by the HMMWV fleet.

Another success story is the development of the Performance Based Logistics Program to support the HMMWV Recapitalization and Reset Programs with DLA, TACOM, Letterkenny and Red River Army depots, and the Maine Military Authority. We, as a team, have been able to maintain continuous production for the past three years without material shortages.

The success of these programs has provided TACOM the opportunity to develop a Web portal, enabling total asset visibility of all parts used in the program, whether in an AM General warehouse, DLA warehouse or in transit to the depot.

AM General has also partnered with other defense contractors to provide logistics support for the mine resistant ambush protected [MRAP] family of vehicles, to include the joint explosive ordnance disposal rapid response vehicle [JERRV] and Cougar. Additionally, we provide support for the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection [VMMD] System, which includes the Husky MK III vehicle.

Q: What are the main challenges facing AM General in meeting the needs of the 21st century warfighter?

A: I think the biggest challenge we face is being able to respond quickly to the needs of the warfighter. As we have all learned from recent operations in Southwest Asia, the enemy has learned to adapt very quickly to the strategies that are being employed to defeat them. To enable us to respond faster to the needs of the warfighter, we are working closer with TACOM and the Army depots than ever before. This allows us to get “battlefield feedback” and respond accordingly. A perfect example is the reliability enhanced vehicle [REV], which was designed, tested and put into production in less than 18 months. The REV is a significant improvement over prior HMMWVs and allows for increased armor protection with greater performance and maintainability. Another example is the development of field installable armor and frag kits. Again, we worked closely with TACOM, not only in the development of the kits, but also to create and validate the installation procedures and manuals, design and produce the packaging necessary to ship overseas, and finally, deploy our field service representatives to assist in the installation of the kits in theater.

Not a day goes by that we don’t think about the brave men and women of our armed forces in harm’s way. We have a commitment, and more importantly, a responsibility to ensure that we do everything possible to respond to their needs. ♦

For more information, contact Mark Whalen at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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