What is FKG
As a member of FKG you contribute to enabling an organisation to speak on behalf of the suppliers in various settings and situations, pushing important issues concerning the companies’ development and growth. FKG creates meeting places, which members can utilize in developing their businesses. FKG also runs activities and projects in order to develop the member companies’ skills and to strengthen knowledge about the sector. FKG is a member of Clepa, the European supplier organisation, and uses this network to make new contacts and strengthen the position of the suppliers.
FKG was set up over twenty years ago, and works together with the suppliers in Sweden, Norway and Finland. FKG has approximately 300 members, including subsidiaries. The Norwegian organisation Norpart and the Finnish Finnsuppliers are associated members of FKG.
Member companies range from large, global so-called Tier 1-suppliers and medium-sized engineering companies to small start-ups, often built around an innovation. Further, there are raw material producers, sales companies, construction- and design companies, software companies and pure service companies. Several of the global consulting agencies are also members.
FKG is registered as a non-profit association, which in turn owns a limited company within which all business activities are undertaken.
During the annual meeting, the board of the association as well as the limited company is appointed. As with all associations, business activities and membership are governed by the association’s regulations.
Business idea
FKG help its members develop as suppliers to the automotive industry by:
- being the sector’s mouth piece towards industry, politicians, authorities and mass media
- creating meeting places in order to increase information, strengthen relations between suppliers, as well as create opportunities for growth;
- initiating activities for the strengthening of skills.
Mouth piece
FKG is continuously working on improving the sector’s terms and conditions. This is done though contact with the Government, Parliament, Authorities, Industry associations, Research institutes, Universities, etc. Cooperation with the automotive manufacturer’s organisation Bil Sweden has been strengthened. FKG has in recent years started to push the issue of extending the research programmes, and programmes for product development and internationalisation. FKG regularly acts as a body for referral of proposals.
As a member of Clepa, FKG has access to EU-projects, and can also, when needed, contact other national associations or the large global supplier companies. FKG is regularly in contact with automotive manufacturers and system suppliers in order to follow industry developments, and be able to draw conclusions regarding trends, shifts, and so on. FKG is also on hand to help clarify any ambiguities with regard to general contract issues, pricing issues, etc.
An important task for FKG is to maintain a good relationship with media, and that way be able to draw focus onto the suppliers’ situation. FKG is almost invariably approached by different media regarding more significant developments in the sector.
FKG publishes the magazine “The Vehicle Component”, with a circulation of 4 000 copies, six times a year. The Vehicle Component also includes “SVEN” which is the Vehicle Technological Association’s member’s publication. FKG sends out information to their members through specific member letters sent via email, often several times a month. The FKG website is also an important instrument in providing information for both members (on password protected pages) and other interested parties. The website includes a search engine where potential customers or partners easily can find companies that supplies specific products or services.
FKG creates meeting places
FKG creates different fora within which the supplier companies both can obtain up to date information, important in making strategic decisions, as well as have the opportunity to meet for joint discussions. The meeting places can also take the form of market places, where the suppliers are given the opportunity to meet potential new customers or partners.
Every year, FKG organises the “Annual Suppliers’ Forum” which now sees more than 400 participants each year. The programme includes current information from the automotive manufacturers and important topics, which concern the sector.
FKG organises meeting places to help their members develop their businesses and create growth. One type of meeting place is the shared exhibition stands at important supplier trade fairs. FKG also arranges business meetings between members, automotive manufacturers and suppliers in other countries. These meeting places, which now have run for a quite a few years, all fall under the collective name of ‘Go Global’.
FKG regularly holds member meetings across Sweden, so that current issues can be brought up and discussed.
Developing skills
FKG organises seminars on different topics, such as financing, quality, contract law, negotiation technique, economy of production, etc. Together with other organisations, FKG runs seminars on topics such as logistics, lean production etc.
Together with Seterwalls Law Firm, FKG analyses and comments on purchasing contracts and other current contract issues. The comments, which are in English, can be used to better understand the contracts, as well as a base for counter-proposals.
FKG is a contracting party in the jointly financed vehicle research programmes, where the other parties consist of the manufacturers and a handful of authorities representing the state. FKG provides the suppliers with support in formulating projects, seeking financing and initiating projects.
Every year, FKG carries out a profitability analysis of the entire sector, and, when required, looks closer at, for instance, the state of the market, price development in materials, etc.