Focusing on Supply Chains to Provide Scalable Contract Manufacturing Services
For years, Athena Manufacturing has principally been a job shop focused on custom metal fabrication projects. But as we’ve grown, so too have our customers’ needs. Instead of short-term engagements for sheet metal fabrication services, they need a reliable contract manufacturing partner with broad capabilities and deep vendor relationships to bring stability and predictability to their supply chains.
So we’re leveling up to meet our customers where they’re at, improving our processes and expanding our capabilities to provide comprehensive contract manufacturing services for sheet metal fabrication, precision CNC machining, and integrated mechanical assembly services.
In order to enable this growth, we’re building out our supply chain organization, implementing processes that drive efficiency at scale, and instilling Lean manufacturing principles throughout our organization. This will allow us to provide our customers with reliable, full-service contract manufacturing solutions.
Streamlining Complex Supply Chains for Efficient Contract Manufacturing Solutions
As we’ve grown, one thing we’ve learned is that the higher up the manufacturing supply chain you go, the more complex your supplier base becomes. While previously, we only had to consider our inventory and supply of metals and tooling, now we have to factor in our stock of components like harnesses, cables, OEM electronics, fasteners, sensors, and more.
However, this means more than just sourcing and stocking these components when we receive an order; it requires leveraging our supply chain organization to build relationships with our vendors and streamline our material operations.
To do this, we’re drawing on the expertise of industry veterans, growing our supply chain team, implementing vendor-managed inventory solutions, and utilizing Kanban systems across production. However, central to all of this is our focus on instilling Lean manufacturing principles as central to processes throughout our organization.
Advantages of Using a Vendor-Managed Inventory System
Vendor-managed inventory systems are an effective way to streamline operations up and down the supply chain. By working with our customers to predict demand and coordinating with manufactured component suppliers, we can match in-stock parts inventory with customers’ needs and efficiently manage production.
Additionally, with long-term contract manufacturing agreements and a vendor-managed inventory, our customers know that the components they need will be manufactured, assembled, and delivered on schedule without submitting new purchase orders. This creates simplicity and efficiency within our operations, as well as for our customers, and often provides the opportunity to reduce manufacturing costs.
Driving Shop Floor Efficiency with Kanban Systems
Kanban systems play an essential role in driving efficiency on the shop floor and go hand in hand with effective vendor-managed inventory. By establishing fixed Kanban sizes to streamline transaction flows between our customers and our suppliers, we can forecast input requirements and ensure consistent material availability. This is a particularly important factor when dealing with complex and ever-evolving global supply chains, and it creates flexibility within our manufacturing processes, allowing us to efficiently match production to demand.
Leaning into Lean Manufacturing Principles
A large part of what’s driving our ability to build out our supply chain organization is Lean manufacturing. This has been essential for providing cost-effective contract manufacturing services to balance production demands with purchases of raw materials and supplied components.
However, when applying Lean principles, we think beyond just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. With supply chains as prone to disruption as they have been over the past few years, we’re focusing on ways to create more reliable solutions for our customers.
By growing our contract manufacturing capabilities and expanding our focus on more comprehensive supply chain solutions, we’re empowering our supply chain team to move beyond simply processing purchase orders and instead focus on higher-level activities, most importantly, building strong relationships with our suppliers.
Ensuring Reliable Production with Scalable Contract Manufacturing Services
Transforming from a job shop that provides sheet metal fabrication services into a full-fledged contract manufacturer involves more than just adding capacity. It requires thoughtful focus on our customers’ needs up and down the supply chain. But with our growing supply chain team, expanded capabilities, and focus on driving efficiency through Lean manufacturing principles, we’re building a streamlined solution for our customers’ precision machining and manufacturing needs.
Whether you’re seeking a contract manufacturer for sheet metal products, precision machined parts, or integrated assemblies, reach out to us and request a quote today. We’re dedicated to building win-win partnerships and providing you with the cost-effective long-term contract manufacturing services you require.