The “Why Benchmark?” blogs are an ongoing blog feature highlighting the people, processes, and technologies that set Benchmark apart. Tune in every month to read the next installment in the series. This month's blog highlights Benchmark's core strengths in supply chain management. Next month we’ll touch on the talented men and women whose breadth and depth of expertise move Benchmark to the front of the pack.
Whether you’re bringing a product to market in an ideal environment or amid a global pandemic, supply chain management is critical in getting ahead of your competition. A robust supply chain process allows you to remain efficient and get to market as fast as possible at the lowest possible cost. When choosing a manufacturing partner to help you achieve your goals, it’s imperative to understand their supply chain capabilities and processes.
Benchmark has grown significantly over the years, and we’ve continually invested in our supply chain management services, which includes critical, diversified, and global partnerships with material suppliers, shipping partners, and logistics experts. We’re also committed to maintaining a talented in-house team dedicated to the supply chain. In fact, Benchmark is among the few complex technology solutions providers across the world with proven capabilities in every area of supply chain management. What does that mean for you and your business?
The Benchmark Difference
The most important aspect of our supply chain management services is that Benchmark has a stake in the outcome. We’re deeply invested in our customer’s entire product development process and go-to-market strategy because we engage with customers for the long term.
Because our customer engagements cover end-to-end services ranging from product development to after-market support, we're always forward-thinking when it comes to the success of the product. A failure in the supply chain affects our customer's success as much as it does ours and that's why we've always got a finger on the pulse of production as well as the materials and commodities markets.
Organizations that offer only supply chain management rarely incur this exposure. As a result, their services follow a set process that doesn’t account for disruptions on a global scale. While they may try to mitigate some risk, they work with a limited number of vendors. This means that costs can be unnecessarily high, and flexibility is limited. Either way, it can be a costly mistake, as the supply management partner is already getting paid, so they may not go the extra mile to ensure success.
Here at Benchmark, we take a holistic approach to supply chain management. Our global network of suppliers and vendors helps us remain flexible in the supply chain management process. If a natural disaster impacts our go-to-market timeline or political strife leads to higher costs, we can quickly adjust shipping partners or material suppliers to stay on target and mitigate price increases. As a manufacturer with a global reach, we also have greater buying power in the marketplace.
Our expertise across the product life cycle provides us with another leg up. In case of a material or component shortage, Benchmark engineers understand how to find alternative sources for components accurately and efficiently. Yes, we literally have engineers on staff in our supply chain team to ensure the right products are sourced for your project. This is another factor that can significantly drive down costs and accelerate time to market.
Examining the Critical Role of the Supply Chain Architect
A unique differentiator that allows Benchmark to stand out in the supply chain management realm is our investment in a strong supply chain team, most notably our supply chain architects. Our supply chain architects work closely with our global commodity managers to stay on top of the global marketplace and understand where disruptions may occur. This is why our supply chain process remains so successful; we can identify an issue and begin mitigation activity before it impacts our customer.
Using a root cause analysis tool, the supply chain architect will look at a wide variety of factors to design the most efficient and cost-effective process and select the correct outsourced material vendor, shipping partner, and logistics teams. The process developed by the architect will also offer a “backup plan,” should anything go awry. Alternative suppliers and partners are carefully selected in case the first-tier organizations are not able to meet specific costs or timelines, or an unforeseen circumstance disrupts their ability to deliver.
The supply chain architect is also the point of contact for our customers and collaborates with them throughout the process. This adds another layer of risk management that allows us to make critical supply management decisions in tandem with our customers and ensure everyone is comfortable with every decision made.
Supply chain management is a unique and delicate process. There are many factors, both controlled and uncontrolled, that can make or break a go-to-market strategy. Original equipment manufacturers need a team that understands the global supply chain, as well as every other aspect of the product development process, to ensure specific challenges are solved in a holistic way.
Benchmark is that partner. With over 40 years of experience helping our customers design, build, and test products and make the right supply chain decisions, we commit to getting your product to market on time and with the lowest total cost possible. Visit our website at www.bench.com to learn how we can provide complete product development support from prototype to manufacturing to supply chain and through aftermarket services.
Ready to discuss your supply chain challenges with our experts? Contact us!
