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Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Proficient Sourcing finds sources for primarily OEM’s seeking suppliers for some manufacturing requirement.  To do this we feature a very large and diversified network of proven suppliers with a history of happy customers. But nearly all of these companies are looking for employees, a situation evidently pretty widespread these days.  What’s going on with employment and employees? According to current news, the economy is great/awful, and employment is problematic/great.  So what’s the real story?  Why are… Read More

Need Improvements to Your Supply Chain?

Need Improvements to Your Supply Chain?

We’re all about improving your supply chain.  Whether reshoring something or any of a myriad of possibilities, if you want excellent candidates for your outsourced manufacturing, we can probably help. Key areas of success have been large metal parts, such as machine bases, fabricated and molded plastics, domesticating ferrous (and large!) castings, tanks, pressure vessels, and even micro machined precision items.  We can also offer special ISO candidates for specific industries.  Here’s a partial listing of our… Read More

Do You Need Something Really BIG?

Do You Need Something Really BIG?

Our network of suppliers contains several companies that specialize in the very large, the heavy, the thick (as in plate) and not only metal, but also plastics and fiberglass. If you are an equipment or machinery builder, you might need equipment bases from plate or large parts machined. Perhaps you need steel plate work such as equipment foundations, mixing tanks or underground containers.   Our plate fabricators can roll ¾” plate to lengths up to 13’… Read More

ESG Scoring: Useful or… Horsepucky?

ESG Scoring: Useful or… Horsepucky?

Over the past several years many major funding organizations have become more interested in ESG scoring criteria for their decisions. We became interested in this because of 2 recent factors. One was the apparent increasing difficulty that fossil fuel producers are finding in obtaining new funding for their needs. And since this industry is capital intensive with long lead times, funding problems would surely contribute to the increase in fuel prices. So if there is… Read More

What is a Good Supplier?

What is a Good Supplier?

Several procurement consultants’ websites and discussion groups list factors that define a good supplier. This is particularly relevant to Proficient Sourcing; we provide manufacturing supplier candidates to OEM buyers and are acutely aware of the need for excellent performance. On time delivery is always among the most valued factors. With new suppliers, the buyer has only the prospective suppliers’ history for evidence of excellent delivery performance. Our network has been built with companies have that… Read More

Supplier Visits: Important Clues About Prospective Suppliers

Supplier Visits: Important Clues About Prospective Suppliers

Several years ago a Business Leader Post article recommended visiting suppliers as often as feasibly possible.  The main reasons appear to be relationship building and the opportunity to discuss cost/scrap/quality and other production details that may be problematic. Proficient Sourcing’s business is finding excellent sources for your manufacturing needs (mostly metal and plastic machining/fab work).  To fully appreciate what a supplier can contribute to your business, a visit to the facility making your items can be… Read More

Energy Policy Affects US Manufacturing Competitiveness

Energy Policy Affects US Manufacturing Competitiveness

Cheap and abundant energy is one factor that has helped the US manufacturing competitive position relative to global alternatives.  Reshoring has been enhanced by that very factor.  Over the past year we have all seen a number of factors influencing that position.  It’s not clear who’s gaining or losing, other than apparently Russia’s oil and gas revenue has not changed much. Or perhaps that’s not true.  It’s difficult to sort out the wheat from the… Read More

Data Presentations: Beware Of What You See

Data Presentations: Beware Of What You See

Many years ago we found a 1954 publication, How to Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff. There were a number of useful thoughts in this book, which was an introductory presentation of how to use, and abuse, statistical data.  This ssubject is important enough to warrant another article.  All of us are subject to statistical presentations that may tell a distorted story.  Beware! If you are at all attentive to graphs, charts, and related presentations you are… Read More

Achieving Procurement Happiness

Achieving Procurement Happiness

When a new manufacturing supplier is needed, how do you get a good candidate?  This becomes a greater problem with distance and project complexity, not to mention specialized certifications that might be required. Perhaps you wish to reshore something?   Or get a supplier for a startup? We at Proficient Sourcing LLC can help with all these.  There is no cost, there’s no obligation, either.  Our mission is very simple: to provide supplier recommendations (yes, often… Read More

Supply Chain Problems: Just the Beginning?

Supply Chain Problems: Just the Beginning?

The past year has witnessed all manner of economic disruptions due to supply chain problems.  We have seen how these problems have interrupted and delayed manufacturing supply systems, and possibly given reshoring efforts an unexpected boost. Manufacturing over the past 50 years or so has required ever more sophisticated and complex use of new minerals to produce defense systems, computers and other electronic devices, exotic superalloys are now needed for many specialized purposes.  Among others,… Read More