Micah Mangione, Author at Proficient Sourcing

Single Sourcing vs Multiple Sources for Custom Manufacturing

Micah Mangione — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 21:48:39 +0000

Both sides of this issue have emerged in our efforts to help buyers with suitable candidates for manufactured items. We’ve worked both sides—insistence on a sole source as well as finding competitors for a multiple source situation. So we have thoughts on the subject and hope you will offer additional ones in the comments below.…

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Tolerances: Anyone Paying Attention?

Micah Mangione — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 21:41:09 +0000

Here’s a problem we see rarely; never is when we’d prefer to see it. One contact requested a quote for machined plates that fit together. The finished item was a machine base, so the parts needed to match up on the edges and various cut-outs needed to match up as well. Some burnout activity was…

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RFQ Response Issues

Micah Mangione — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 21:38:36 +0000

Here at Proficient Sourcing we work very hard to provide buyers seeking new custom manufacturing suppliers with appropriate candidates. In the development of this potential new relationship, there are many pitfalls which amount to nightmares for both sides. When a request for quote is issued, several things can happen, and some are problematic, especially when…

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Plans to Stimulate Manufacturing

Micah Mangione — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 11:27:27 +0000

There’s a great deal of political talk about manufacturing. “Make in America”, bring manufacturing back, and similar talking points prevail these days. Do politicians of either political party have useful ideas? What seems to make political leaders’ to-do lists are protectionist or just noise to satisfy some special interest group. Some believe our leaders either…

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Trade with China—Time to Change Strategy?

Micah Mangione — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 00:56:35 +0000

It’s obvious that trade with China is essential to the US economy. The trade imbalance, tariffs, intellectual property rights, investments in one country by the other, or required partnerships are all cited one way or another as major barriers to commercial peace, fairness, and justification for sanctions. Does all this make sense? A September 16, 2021…

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Rising energy prices: Troubled Waters for US Manufacturing

Micah Mangione — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 01:32:39 +0000

Cheap and abundant energy is a primary cornerstone of success for US manufacturing, and it’s being threatened. A recent Forbes article notes “ natural gas and power shortages [in Europe] are colliding with the onset of winter to drive energy prices to record highs”. Is this what’s in store for the US? If so, it’s…

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Manufacturing Supply Chains Facing Historic Stress Levels

Micah Mangione — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 01:14:28 +0000

Manufacturing supply chains are under unprecedented strain. The new supply chain stress indicator from Oxford Economics reveals that the US economy is facing escalating supply-side challenges. The biggest source of stress is traffic congestion, but limited spare domestic production capacity, low inventories, sharply higher input costs, and labor shortages are making it increasingly difficult for…

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