Uniting Industry: How AIAG is Building Resilient Supply Chains Through Collaboration and Standardization

Update: 2025-09-08

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The pace of change in automotive supply chains isn’t slowing down, and waiting for OEM direction is no longer an option.

Regulations, tariffs, sustainability requirements, and labor laws are reshaping the way suppliers operate, and the companies that act first are the ones that stay ahead.

That’s where AIAG comes in. In this episode, Tanya Bolden, VP of Supply Chain and Corporate Responsibility, walks through how her team is tackling the issues keeping suppliers up at night.

She starts with tariffs, a constant pressure point. AIAG is working with members to create common reporting templates that reduce confusion and repeated requests up and down the chain.

From there, the conversation moves to the Forced Labor Due Diligence Program, where six major OEMs are aligned. Tanya explains how global legislation drives the need for complete visibility, and what happens if companies fail to comply—such as seized shipments at the border, missed deadlines, and increased costs that ripple throughout the entire supply chain.

Sustainability is another focus. AIAG is expanding IMDS to include carbon footprint reporting at the part level, tying compliance to the lean principles already familiar to the industry.

Tanya also highlights AIAG’s role as the North American hub for Catena-X, giving suppliers new tools to connect and share data faster across tiers.

Training remains central too. With seasoned professionals retiring and new people entering the industry, AIAG offers over 50 programs to keep knowledge flowing and prepare the workforce for today’s challenges.

Tanya wraps up with a look at AIAG’s upcoming events and one reminder to every supply chain leader: Don’t try to take this on alone. Collaboration among OEMs, suppliers, and associations makes the industry stronger and better prepared for the future.

Themes discussed in this episode:

The growing pressure on suppliers to act proactively instead of waiting for OEM direction
How AIAG is streamlining tariff reporting with standardized templates across the supply chain
Why the Forced Labor Due Diligence Program demands complete supply chain visibility to raw materials
How six global OEMs are working with AIAG to align on compliance and industry standards
The role of Catena-X in boosting supply chain connectivity, transparency, and data sharing
How lean manufacturing principles support sustainability goals and help reduce carbon emissions
The value of AIAG training programs in transferring knowledge and preparing the next generation of supply chain leaders
How AIAG events and industry collaboration help suppliers adapt to new regulations and global requirements

Featured on this episode:

Name: Tanya Bolden

Title: Vice President of Supply Chain and Corporate Responsibility at Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

About: Tanya Bolden is Vice President of Supply Chain and Corporate Responsibility at AIAG, where she leads initiatives that connect sustainability, compliance, and collaboration across the automotive industry. With more than 30 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in corporate responsibility, sustainability, community relations, and supply chain management.

Her work focuses on the issues that matter most today — from environmental stewardship and sustainability to global forced labor compliance and supply chain transparency. She is well-versed in navigating regulations such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), guiding companies in proving supply chain integrity and staying ahead of enforcement trends.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode Highlights:

[03:51 ] Proactive, Not Passive: Suppliers can no longer wait for OEM instructions; they need to establish their own policies and procedures to stay ahead of fast-moving regulations and customer expectations.

[08:50 ] Forced Labor in Focus: Global legislation is demanding full supply chain visibility, and AIAG is leading efforts to ensure companies can prove their goods are free from forced labor.

[11:00 ] When OEMs Don’t Align: Without a common approach to forced labor compliance, the industry faces chaos and inconsistent reporting standards.

[14:07 ] IMDS Uncovered: The International Material Data System, long used for material reporting, is now being expanded to address sustainability.

[15:21 ] Data Without Borders: By managing enormous amounts of supply chain data, Catena-X gives companies the transparency they need to meet strict global regulations.

[17:16 ] Passing Down Knowledge: With experienced supply chain professionals retiring, AIAG stresses the importance of structured training to capture decades of expertise and pass it on to new talent.

[19:45 ] AIAG Event Season: Tanya Bolden stresses the value of networking and promotes AIAG’s IMDS and Product Chemical Conference (Oct 8–10, Novi) and the Customs and Trade Town Hall (Nov 6, Detroit).

[21:44 ] Don’t Go It Alone: Tanya Bolden reminds leaders that some challenges can’t be solved in isolation, urging them to use AIAG and industry associations as safe spaces to collaborate, share issues openly, and build solutions that lift the entire supply chain.

Top Quotes:

[04:11 ] Tanya: “As our supply chains grow globally, there are certain expectations they have of us. And quite often, they're not allowing us the time and the luxury of time to be able to prepare. So, we need our supply chain to be proactive and not wait. Not wait until their customer tells them, but be proactive in establishing their own internal policies and procedures to make them a better supplier to their customers.”

[22:05 ] Tanya: “You don't have to do it alone. I think that it is indicative in our industry to be competitive, but there are certain issues that you benefit from working with your colleagues, your customers, and your competitors to address.”