How procurement and sourcing teams use TierWire
Pre-RFQ validation. Tier 2/3 visibility. Supply chain risk mapping. Geographic resiliency. EV transition readiness. One structured data platform for every sourcing decision.
Pre-RFQ Supplier Screening
Sourcing engineers need supplier intelligence before spending time on RFQ packages. TierWire eliminates weeks of manual validation.
Capability Validation Before RFQ
Search for suppliers by specific capability (stamped sheet metal + welding, injection molding + overmold, CNC machining + hardcoat anodize). Cross-reference claimed capabilities against public OEM announcements and patent filings to validate before sending RFQ. No supplier can inflate capability to win a bid they cannot deliver on.
Example: Identify 12 stamped + welded enclosure suppliers in Mexico with published USMCA compliance. Reduce RFQ list from 25 to 12 based on validated capability. Save 2 weeks of supplier response chasing.
Location and Lead Time Risk
Source by geography, facility type, and facility count. Understand if a supplier has manufacturing concentrated in a single location (supply chain risk) or distributed across multiple facilities (resiliency). Check published OEM relationships to see if a prospect is over-allocated.
Example: For a new transmission housing program, filter for 4-cavity aluminum die casters in NAFTA region with minimum 3 active facilities. Avoid single-site suppliers that are already major suppliers to 2 competing OEMs.
Certification and Compliance Status
Filter by active IATF 16949, ISO 14001, or NADCAP certification. Verify USMCA eligibility and import tariff classification before RFQ. TierWire pulls from live certification databases so you know certification status is current.
Example: Identify IATF-certified hose and fitting suppliers in the USMCA region to meet OEM APQP requirements on day one. Reduce pre-production qualification delays by targeting only suppliers with current credentials.
10 days
Average time saved per RFQ using pre-validated supplier intelligence instead of manual capability calls.
Typical Sourcing Workflow
- 1.Search suppliers by capability and location
- 2.Validate certifications and OEM relationships
- 3.Check USMCA and tariff eligibility
- 4.Send final RFQ list with confidence
Pro members can export filtered supplier lists as CSV and integrate directly into RFQ systems. No manual reentry.
5,000+
Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers mapped with OEM relationships, facility locations, and capability data.
Supply Chain Visibility Questions
- •Who actually supplies this component at tier 2 and 3?
- •Are there single-source risks in our supply base?
- •Which suppliers lack USMCA compliance?
- •Are Tier 2 suppliers also serving competitors?
Supplier Verified tier lets upstream suppliers claim and update their profiles, providing real-time accuracy for compliance and capability flags.
Tier 2/3 Visibility and Resiliency
OEM procurement teams cannot manage risk they cannot see. TierWire maps the hidden layers of the automotive supply base.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Discovery
Start with a Tier 1 supplier. View their published OEM relationships and mapped subcontractors. Identify who actually builds components at tier 2 and tier 3. Know if a Tier 1 is heavily concentrated with one subcontractor or diversified across multiple sources.
Example: A major seat supplier claims they source foam from 3 qualified foam converters. TierWire shows those converters plus identifies that all three source raw materials from a single polyol producer in one geographic region, creating hidden geographic concentration risk.
USMCA Compliance and Tariff Mapping
Filter Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers by USMCA eligibility and content requirements. Understand if a supply chain qualifies for duty-free USMCA treatment or faces tariffs. Track regulatory changes as they affect program costs.
Example: For a new electric drivetrain program, identify all Tier 2 suppliers in the power electronics supply chain and their USMCA status. Map alternate suppliers in Mexico and Canada to evaluate program cost impact if tariffs increase.
Geographic and Single-Source Risk
Map supply base concentration by geography and facility count. Identify single-source Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers. Monitor supplier facility locations against geopolitical risks and natural disaster zones.
Example: Discover that a critical wiring harness supplier for a vehicle program is sourced from a single facility in a high-typhoon risk zone. Proactively develop alternate supply before the next hurricane season.
New Program Launch and Strategic Risk
OEM supply chain strategy teams use TierWire to identify suppliers for new programs, assess EV transition readiness, and map strategic sourcing options across geographies.
New Program Supplier Identification
Launch a new vehicle program by searching suppliers with the exact capability mix your vehicle needs. Filter by location, facility count, and OEM relationships. Avoid suppliers already committed to competing platforms.
Example: Sourcing for a new mid-size EV platform. Identify lightweight aluminum stamping suppliers in North America with capacity, IATF 16949 certification, and no exclusivity with competing EV makers. Filter down to 6 qualified candidates in 2 hours instead of 2 weeks.
EV Transition Readiness Assessment
Evaluate which suppliers in your existing supply base have invested in EV-relevant capabilities. Analyze patent trends, new facility announcements, and OEM announcements to identify early movers in battery technology, power electronics, and lightweight materials.
Example: Identify plastic housing suppliers who have filed patents for thermally conductive polymers and high-voltage isolation compounds. Assess which have capacity announcements and are positioning for EV battery enclosure and power electronics opportunities.
Geographic Diversification and Tariff Strategy
Compare sourcing options across NAFTA, EMEA, and Asia. Map equivalent suppliers by capability in Mexico, Canada, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. Evaluate USMCA eligibility for each option to support global cost and tariff strategy.
Example: For stamped and welded subassemblies, identify equivalent suppliers in Mexico, Canada, and Ohio. Compare USMCA eligibility, facility capacity, and lead times. Model program cost under tariff-free USMCA sourcing vs alternative geographies.
3 months
Time saved on strategic supply chain planning by accessing pre-compiled supplier data instead of conducting market surveys.
Strategic Questions Answered
- •Which suppliers have the exact capability mix for this new platform?
- •Who is ready for EV transition in our supply base?
- •What is the geographic-optimal sourcing mix for tariff strategy?
- •Which suppliers are capacity-constrained or over-allocated?
Pro members can export geographic supplier comparisons and capability matrices as CSV, feeding directly into program business case and supply chain strategy models.
Ready to Build Supply Chain Intelligence
Search suppliers by capability, location, certification, and OEM relationships. Export capability matrices. Assess risk. Plan supply chain strategy. All data compiled from public records, continuously updated.