Tres consejos para la gestión de la cadena de suministro: ampliación

Right now, manufacturers are more aware of their supply chains than ever before. That awareness has raised many questions about how to improve efficiency and resiliency. I’ve spent nearly three decades as a distribution and supply chain professional so I understand the challenges of balancing supply continuity with customer demand. Supply chain managers are navigating increased complexity as COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in even the most secure supply chains. Knowing how to simplify complex areas and stabilize weak links will allow you to scale up or down quickly as demand evolves. Below are some evergreen tips to agilice su gestión de piezas for a stronger, more resilient supply chain.

3 consejos para agilizar la gestión de piezas

Conclusiones clave: busque un proveedor con visibilidad y seguridad en sus líneas de suministro, respaldado por la tecnología necesaria para gestionar la demanda futura independientemente de la pandemia.

1. Encuentre una fuente única para piezas estándar

Seleccionar con una sola fuente para piezas estándar es un sólido primer paso hacia la reducción de la complejidad de la cadena de suministro. Busque un socio con la experiencia suficiente para escalar hacia arriba o hacia abajo para satisfacer sus necesidades, idealmente con socios bien administrados en varias regiones.

2. Elija velocidad y accesibilidad

Once you’ve consolidated your supplier network, make sure that everyone who’s staying onboard has the resources (technology, people, and financial stability) to meet your output as you scale up. Your supply chain partner should be highly-dependable, highly-accessible, and focused on your needs. They should be able to deliver on the promise of fast, easy ordering for your most commonly-used parts. Whether it’s a face mask or a hockey puck, having confidence your partner can deliver is a bedrock quality. (And yes, we’ve met emergency calls for hockey pucks. It happens.) That’s what partners do.

3. Exige datos en tiempo real

Along with consolidating your suppliers and vetting them for speed and reliability, ask them how they can support you with real-time visibility into your supply chain. Real-time production and shipment visibility can help you be proactive about gaps or potential disruptions to your supply chain–both critical to scaling up. Knowing where your parts are, what you’re running low on, and what you’re overstocked on will help you streamline your parts management and avoid costly disruptions to your supply chain.

Consejo adicional: encuentre un proveedor con estabilidad financiera comprobada

Even the most responsive, customer-focused partner can be vulnerable to outside forces. Sadly, I’ve seen many suppliers go out of business since the pandemic started. The last thing you need is to develop a relationship with a supplier only to see them out of business when the market takes a sharp left turn. Look for a partner with estabilidad financiera comprobada que no sólo puede capear la tormenta a tu lado, sino que también te ayudará a salir adelante cuando las cosas se pongan difíciles.

Unas palabras rápidas sobre cómo reapuntalar su gestión de piezas estándar

COVID-19 todavía está afectando la gestión de repuestos y existe un mayor interés de los fabricantes en reasignar, regionalizar o usar un modelo China + 1 para sus cadenas de suministro.

As a matter of fact, Optimas recently opened a new distribution center in St. Louis to support manufacturing customers who need reliable, fast delivery of standard parts. This strategic location, in the middle of the country, along with a robust supply chain and vendor portfolio, has proven invaluable to customers. It has allowed them to scale with customer demand, improve cash flow, and minimize risks in a time when their competitors are struggling with lockdowns in Europe and delays from China.

Preparando su cadena de suministro para lo que venga después

If there is one thing that 2020 has taught me, our world has evolved and it will continue to in the future. Manufacturing plants on every continent will continue to observe increased safety protocols even after there’s a vaccine. This means there will be continued demand for other consumables too–like PPE and sanitization products.

Puede optimizar aún más su operación alineándose con un socio que pueda suministrar piezas estándar y EPI y MRO to stay safe and operational. Have a look at what Optimas is doing with all three of these consumables at us.optimas.com.