For OEMs with diverse needs and changing demands, finding a flexible metal manufacturing supplier is critical to keep production lines running. A welding contractor that adopts a rigid attitude may be unwilling to meet you halfway on requests.

The right supplier knows that it’s responsible for helping customers meet their business goals. Of course, metal manufacturing companies are sometimes limited by time and budget constraints, but they must find solutions to your problems most of the time. You shouldn’t hear “no” whenever you ask your metal manufacturer to alter an order or process.

This is especially true for larger, world-class OEMs that have unique requirements beyond capacity and manufacturing. Such companies may need suppliers to offer adjustable documentation, auditing, traceability and payment terms.

To adapt to these needs, a metal manufacturer may change the way it conducts business. Truly responsive suppliers offer the following solutions when appropriate:

• Additional metal manufacturing services beyond core offerings
• Stricter specifications for metal parts
• Flexible payment terms
• Adoption of new software, such as programs for placing orders

Most importantly, your supplier should have the mindset, infrastructure and strategic ability to adjust when your OEM needs to take a different course of action. In part one of this three-part blog series, consider the following two tenets of a responsive welding contractor that pursues all available options to meet your capacity and growth demands.

1. Execute In A Fast-Paced Environment

Larger welding contractors handle a significant number of clients with high demand. Most projects are time-sensitive, and to add a sense of urgency, OEMs continually grow and require higher volumes of metal parts.

Whether an OEM has increased sales opportunities or a seasonal business, suppliers must be prepared to work at a fast pace to meet shifting demand.

At the same time, attention to processes shouldn’t be neglected. Suppliers must maintain high quality and precise lead times. Plus, they should be able to add new products to their production schedule without major complications.

2. Employ Only Highly Qualified Staff

It almost goes without saying that inexperienced welders, engineering technicians and other staff slow down productivity. Inefficiency at your supplier’s facility delays your delivery dates and impacts the price you pay for custom metal fabrications.

A highly qualified workforce doesn’t have to hand off questions or incorporate multiple people in a conversation to find an answer to a simple problem. Instead, employees with questions can ask just one person and learn a solution directly.

Your welding contractor’s workforce should be cross-trained and versatile. Qualified employees should be able to transition from one process to the next, handling client demands as they come in. As a result, your company doesn’t have to wait for an order while some employees are backed up and others have availability.

Your OEM production lines are dependent on the rules your supplier follows to help you grow. Keep a lookout for parts two and three of this blog series, where you’ll learn how lean manufacturing methods, open communication, on-time delivery, floor space, equipment, diverse services, financial investments, infrastructure and high-quality parts influence your business’ success.