The products were needed. The supply chain couldn’t keep up.
During 2021 and the first half of 2022, global port congestion created significant shipping delays for companies manufacturing products overseas.
For a company using advanced surface preparation machinery and equipment, these challenges arrived during a period of rapidly changing customer demand.
The manufacturer needed metal castings and plastic injection-molded components, but its requirements were changing quickly.
Shipping delays added another layer of uncertainty.
The company needed a way to manage production, inventory, and international logistics without losing the ability to respond to its customers.
Looking beyond the factory
ITI Manufacturing evaluated the logistics portion of the customer’s supply chain and identified opportunities to improve efficiency.
Rather than focusing exclusively on manufacturing, ITI developed a customized plan covering three connected areas:
- Manufacturing: Aligning production with changing component requirements.
- Logistics: Improving the coordination of international shipments.
- Warehousing: Adjusting inventory and storage arrangements to support customer demand.
ITI also provided weekly updates so the customer could monitor its orders and plan around changing conditions.
The result: A more responsive supply chain.
The new manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing arrangement helped the customer respond to market changes despite widespread shipping disruptions, and customer was able to gain market share during this challenging period.
The customer summarized the value of ITI’s support:
“Without ITI handling the shipping of our parts, who knows where we would have been.”
The experience demonstrated why overseas manufacturing decisions should account for more than factory production alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Companies can reduce shipping-related disruptions by coordinating production schedules, freight arrangements, and inventory planning. Depending on the situation, changes to warehousing and shipment timing may provide additional flexibility. ITI Manufacturing works with customers to develop integrated manufacturing and logistics solutions.
For many companies, coordinating logistics with manufacturing can reduce the number of parties responsible for orders and shipments. A turnkey manufacturing partner like ITI Manufacturing can oversee production, quality, shipping, and related communications, helping buyers maintain visibility throughout the process.
Predictability depends on understanding production schedules, coordinating logistics, maintaining appropriate inventory arrangements, and receiving timely updates. ITI Manufacturing combines factory management, logistics coordination, and weekly communication to help customers make better-informed supply chain decisions.
Manufacturing is Only Part of the Supply Chain
ITI Manufacturing helps U.S. companies coordinate overseas production, quality management, and logistics through one accountable partner.
