4 Reasons to Reshore Your Manufacturing Supply Chain
Why work with an American manufacturer like Micro-Tronics when a foreign supplier is offering a lower price?
Although elastomer products and other mission-critical parts may have lower upfront costs when manufactured overseas, partnering with foreign suppliers often comes with hidden costs that can affect your company’s bottom line一and your reputation.
Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions have highlighted the importance of reshoring manufacturing operations. But there are many other re
asons why working with domestic suppliers can benefit your business, no matter what’s happening on the global stage.
Simply put, reshoring your supply chain can help protect your business from risk. Here are four reasons to consider bringing your supply chain home.
1. Reliable Delivery
For the past few decades, most companies seeking manufacturing services prioritized securing the lowest possible price, which often meant outsourcing services overseas. Then COVID-19 hit and delayed deliveries resulting from global supply chain disruptions had serious financial repercussions. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, many companies are shifting from a cost-competitive mindset to a risk-competitive mindset.
At Micro-Tronics, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver critical parts, including elastomer products and bonded seals, by the dates we’ve promised. With a cycle time that is quite competitive, we maintain a steadfast commitment to on-time delivery that shows customers they can always rely on us.
In fact, being reliable is often more important than being “fast.” Consider this scenario: an aircraft engine has over 2,000 individual parts, many of which come from different suppliers. Statistically, if that supply chain is only 95% effective, the customer can anticipate 100 late deliveries! Bringing that supply chain closer to home reduces the time and distance parts must travel to reach their destination, minimizing the risk of delays or damage.
Another way we mitigate risk and ensure reliable delivery is by completing sub-assemblies for complex products. To continue with the aircraft engine example, if we complete a sub-assembly for a customer, they receive just one assembly instead of 20 separate components, further reducing risk and increasing the likelihood that they’ll ship their aircraft engine on time.
2. Superior Quality
The closer your manufacturing supplier is to your business, the easier it is to communicate with them and ensure that they manufacture your parts according to your exacting standards. No need to deal with issues like drastically different time zones or a language barrier.
Domestic manufacturers are also more likely to possess the certifications your industry requires in the first place. In fact, when you need particular certifications, using a foreign manufacturer may simply not be an option.
If the overseas vendor or any of their subcontractors lack the required certifications, US government restrictions will prohibit the contract. Does your foreign vendor have the following certifications: ITAR Registered, Nadcap, AS9100, ISO 9001?
Micro-Tronics has a proven track record of manufacturing high-quality precision parts and adhering to stringent quality control measures. In addition, we are AS9100 certified with Nadcap certifications in elastomer seals and EDM manufacturing, so our customers always know that we一and any subcontractors we work with一are following industry standards to the letter.
3. Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection
Are you confident that the foreign manufacturer you’re considering working with will protect your intellectual property?
Unfortunately, when you send your design overseas, you may be opening your company up to IP theft or cybersecurity breaches by vendors who don’t abide by the same ethical standards as most domestic suppliers.
In fact, starting in mid-2023, the Department of Defense will only award aerospace and defense contracts to manufacturers with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a rigorous standard for cybersecurity controls. While foreign manufacturers can become certified, the process is likely to take longer than for domestic shops due to the challenge of finding an approved third-party assessor overseas.
When you partner with Micro-Tronics, you can be confident that we’ll protect your valuable IP and that we’re following the latest best practices for cybersecurity.
4. Social and Environmental Awareness
There’s no two ways about it: shipping parts overseas is expensive and has a negative environmental impact. Foreign shipping requires a tremendous amount of fuel, which not only adds to the total cost of your parts but is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
If your company has expressed a commitment to planet-friendly practices, choosing a domestic supplier allows you to put your money where your mouth is by vastly reducing your supply chain’s carbon footprint. Plus, you’ll reap the benefits of lower transportation costs.
If you’re located in the same vicinity as your supplier, you may even be able to get same-day delivery, which Micro-Tronics offers to our local customers.
Micro-Tronics Is Committed to Continuous Improvement
At Micro-Tonics, we’re confident in (but never complacent about) our capabilities. We’re always looking for ways to optimize our workflows by investing in new equipment, embracing innovative automation features, and hiring additional skilled labor.
When you partner with Micro-Tronics for elastomer products or EDM manufacturing, you can rest assured that you’re working with a partner who will always have your best interests in mind.
Request a quote to work with our expert team today!