Ford’s supply chain problems include blue oval badges for F-Series pickups | Daily News Byte

DETROIT – Recent supply chain problems for Ford Motor includes a small, but important, component for the company and its vehicles – the blue oval badges that give almost every vehicle its name.

The Detroit automaker has experienced shortages of Ford badges as well as model-specific nameplates, a Ford spokesperson confirmed to CNBC. The Wall Street Journal first reported the problem, including badges for its F-Series pickups, on Friday, citing anonymous sources.

The issue is the latest in a year-long supply chain crisis that ranges from critical components like semiconductor chips and wire harnesses to raw materials and now, vehicle badges.

The Journal reported a Michigan-based supplier called Tribar Technologies that has made badges for Ford in the past had to limit operations in August, after disclosing to Michigan regulators that it issued more -chemical industry in a local sewage system.

A message seeking comment from Tribar was not immediately returned. Ford declined to comment on whether Tribar’s limited operations were connected to the automaker’s lack of a name-badge.

A spokesman also declined to comment on how many vehicles were affected by the problem.

The report comes after Ford said Monday that parts shortages affecting about 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles, mainly high-margin trucks and SUVs, have yet to reach dealers. Ford also said at the time that it expected to book an extra $1 billion in unexpected supplier costs in the third quarter.

The announcement earlier this week, including a pre-release of some earnings expectations, caused Ford stock to have its worst day in more than 11 years.

Separately, Ford on Thursday announced plans to restructure its global supply chain to “support efficient and reliable parts sourcing, internal development of key technologies and capabilities, and world- class cost and quality of execution.”