supply chain management

TARGET PRICE: Good idea or not?

TARGET PRICE: Good idea or not?

Last year we introduced a potential supplier to an equipment OEM.  The OEM has several fairly large machine parts they want to source to new machining sources.  The desired vendor will be capable of handling thousand pound steel parts, which require complex machining operations.  Not quite 5-axis, but their parts have very intricate details. This means a complex quoting procedure, and perhaps if the OEM would provide some sort of cost parameters it would help… 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

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

Procurement Practices Contributing to Supplier Performance Problems? Can it be True?

Procurement Practices Contributing to Supplier Performance Problems? Can it be True?

Do any of these apply to you and your company and it’s procurement practices? OEMs are trying to become more flexible in order to respond more rapidly to market conditionsand opportunities. They are relying more heavily on their suppliers to perform manufacturing operations formerly done in-house. At the same time they are trying to reduce the number of suppliers in their supply base. As a result, OEMs are growing more concerned with improving the performance… Read More

Reshoring Prototyping and Other Manufacturing Operations

Reshoring Prototyping and Other Manufacturing Operations

An article from the Empire Group with this title appeared in January.  The central thought is that former decisions to outsource certain functions, such as prototyping and “other manufacturing operations” are good candidates for reshoring consideration. Proficient Sourcing LLC is a business that provides excellent performing candidates for OEMs’ outsourcing needs, so we could not agree more.  And there’s good reason for this reshoring in many cases.  As this article notes, “Even before the onset… Read More

Possible Supply Chain Help

Possible Supply Chain Help

Proficient Sourcing LLC  is in the business of providing supplier candidates for OEM’s looking to improve their supply chains of outsourced manufacturing.  Generally, our candidates are domestic and usually Midwest.  We cover almost all capabilities with shops who’ve demonstrated excellence in satisfying customers over many years.  Read on—maybe we can help your supply chain. This year we’ve expanded our capabilities for enhanced startup and new products, along with small parts manufacturing.  We are also exploring… Read More

Our 2021 China Trade Relationship

Our 2021 China Trade Relationship

As we look beyond coronavirus effects, much of how our economy develops in 2021 will depend upon how we deal with China. Obviously there have been significant changes due to the pandemic, and now we have a new administration. Many believe the new administration is more favorably inclined to China, and there are even some reports of China “buying” influence as a widespread problem. Here’s just one example from a San Francisco newsletter: “The inaugural… Read More

Supplier Relationship Management: The Kraljic Model Lives!

Supplier Relationship Management: The Kraljic Model Lives!

Several years ago we discovered the Kraljic model for supplier relationship management, which became a popular newsletter subject.  Proficient Sourcing, offers supplier candidates to OEM procurement professionals without obligation, is particularly interested in improved supplier relationships.  So let’s revisit Kraljic!  A 2017 Forbes article (link at the end of this) elaborates on the value of Kraljic’s Supplier Relationship Management model, and notes this: “Supplier Relationship Management (or SRM) came into life in 1983 when McKinsey… Read More

US Supply Chains: Weaknesses Exposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic

US Supply Chains: Weaknesses Exposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic

We have all witnessed the chaos in supplying critical medical supplies during the past few months of the covid 19 pandemic, especially in and around New York.  Why has this supply chain issue been such a problem for the US?  After all, we were the #1 manufacturing country in the world for the past 100 years until just the last few years! Political leaders are quick to say this is something we need to fix,… Read More

Coronavirus and Your Supply Chain

Coronavirus and Your Supply Chain

What is happening to our customers? While manufacturers may be in conditions varying from complete lockdown to full operations, the state of the overall economy means life as we knew it is no more. Beyond cash flow, primary worries must include the condition of our customers and the state of our supply chains. At least the resumption of “normal” busiiness is now scheduled for most places to begin on May 1. Those of us in… Read More