Working with Supply Chains
Wayne Baker
Production Manager
Aura-Soma
While the work of the Manufacturing Advisory Service can be seen as working with the manufacturing process to make the company a 'Leaner', better and more financial viable entity this may throw up areas where more work is needed. One of these areas is the Supply Chain.
Manufacturers may be part of a supply chain, producing a component used with others to produce an end product, or they may be reliant upon a supply chain for the components to compete their own product. Either way MAS practitioners are in a position to help.
In the case of the company being part of the supply chain MAS practitioners can assist in ensuring that the production line is operating to maximum efficiency and that orders are completed at the right time to the right standard and delivered to the customer in perfect condition. This is all part of the 'Lean' manufacturing process for which MAS is renowned.
In the case of the company being the end user of the supply chain this can cause major problems where standards are not being met and deliveries are not coming in on time. MAS practitioners can assist manufacturers to find new suppliers, to put proactive and responsive supply chains in place and to work with companies to build in new practices to ensure the smooth running of production lines.
In order to ensure a stable, growing manufacturing environment the need for a robust and secure supply chain becomes essential. Working with the company the MAS practitioner is able to seek additional potential suppliers to supplement or replace the existing supplier to ensure continuity of supply. Together the company and the MAS practitioner work to prepare a project brief and selection criteria to brief interested manufacturing companies and because of the way in which MAS operates the practitioner is in a position to look for suppliers outside of the manufacturers locality.
To find out how MAS can help you, please contact your local regional MAS centre. More information is available on supply chains in our FREE resource library, simply register to access.
