When lead times stretch to a year, something has to change.
A U.S. manufacturer of exhibition display products was facing a growing problem. Its overseas manufacturing vendors were pushing lead times out as far as one year.
Meanwhile, customer demand continued to grow.
The company’s supply chain team was spending more time addressing supplier problems, but lacked the resources and expertise to resolve the underlying issues.
The challenge wasn’t simply finding another manufacturer. The company needed a supply chain it could depend on.
Finding the source of the delays
ITI Manufacturing began by meeting with the customer’s supply chain team to understand its manufacturing and logistics challenges.
After evaluating the situation, ITI developed a plan to restore more predictable production and delivery schedules.
The team:
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Identified and qualified a new overseas manufacturing partner.
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Coordinated the production and approval of samples.
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Managed the transition to the new factory.
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Oversaw production and delivery of the first order.
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Established weekly communication to keep the customer informed.
Rather than leaving the customer to coordinate each step, ITI managed the process from sourcing through delivery.
The result: Lead times back within expectations
ITI delivered the customer’s first order ahead of schedule and helped bring manufacturing lead times back within expectations.
Equally important, the customer gained a more predictable process for managing future orders.
With a dedicated manufacturing partner providing weekly updates, the company’s supply chain team no longer had to manage every production detail on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reducing overseas manufacturing lead times starts with identifying where delays occur. Common sources include factory capacity, production scheduling, sample approvals, and shipping. An experienced contract manufacturing partner like ITI Manufacturing can evaluate these issues, identify alternative factories when necessary, and coordinate production and logistics to improve delivery predictability.
Not necessarily. First, determine whether the delays are temporary or reflect a larger supplier problem. If the factory cannot consistently meet production requirements, qualifying an alternative manufacturer may be appropriate. ITI Manufacturing helped one U.S. company restore expected lead times by transitioning production to a new overseas factory partner.
Establish consistent reporting that covers production progress, expected completion dates, quality issues, and shipment status. ITI Manufacturing provides weekly order updates through a dedicated account manager so customers have the information needed to plan without repeatedly contacting their factories.
Take Control of Your Manufacturing Lead Times
If unpredictable overseas production schedules are affecting your business, ITI Manufacturing can help evaluate your current challenges and identify potential solutions.
