Ep. 28: Filling Your Pipeline During Shortages with Supplier-Managed Inventory (SMI)
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In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.
Spirit’s Ivan Santana is now our Director of Program Management after 10 years supporting our long-term agreements and supplier-managed inventory (SMI) programs. He’s an expert at materials and resource planning and can manage ordering and projections years in advance.
SMI programs allow us to order parts and materials well in advance of production dates and stock components for just-in-time delivery. With the current microchip shortage, production lead times are pushing out weeks on some materials.
If you can plan ahead and work with suppliers who have strong relationships down the supply chain, it’s possible to keep your materials pipeline full and your production flowing smoothly. Ivan talks about the kind of forecasting and communication you need to make this possible.
Aerospace has seen long lead times and pull-ins before, but never quite on the current scale. Manufacturers have rolled out major price increases and more are expected. Ivan explains why working with the right supply chain partners can support your best interests.