From a sudden spike in demand to an alteration of the final design, manufacturers must be able to rely on their suppliers to treat the challenges they face as if they are their own. This means that not only must the direct supplier meet their client’s demands, but so too must those in the supply chain.
Custom Wire technologies’ ability to ensure its supply chain can meet the demands of its clients, is due in large part to its customer and supplier relationships. Successful relationships are reliant on each party being proactive and contributing to the process as unexpected challenges arise. By developing an in-depth understanding of each of its client’s long-term supply requirements, CWT is able to work with its suppliers to schedule its supplies to meet their needs.
Throughout the high-pressure and complex process of manufacturing a medical device, ensuring that each and every component required is supplied on time, in sufficient supply, and in line with the highest quality standards is of critical importance.
CWT’s Long History with Suppliers
CWT has been producing medical wire for use in a variety of medical devices for over two decades and has established a strong and robust supply chain that is built on having a close relationship with its suppliers. This is most apparent in the relationship it has built with one of the world’s leading suppliers of Stainless Steel and Nitinol medical wire.
Due to the depth of shared experiences over those two decades, each side understands just what is required to ensure that every delivery received is on time and high-quality. These shared experiences have progressed since it first started operating and continue to strengthen today.
Solid relationships are made all the stronger by the fact that CWT also stands as a strategic supplier to them by providing its market-leading grinding services.
Long Term Planning to Avoid Short Term Shortages
CWT is very dedicated to building customized programs, with careful consideration of both current and future demand for the supplies, so that a delivery plan that meets the timescales required can be developed. This intrinsic relationship is of particular importance in the current operating environment that has seen the lead times for securing high-demand supplies lengthened to an unprecedented degree due to the levels of demand. To mitigate this issue, CWT works closely with the clients to educate them on the timescales involved in securing the required supplies.
“We work very hard with our customers to forecast not only current and future production, but also to try to understand the development paths they are on to avail material to those efforts,” explains John Corsten, technical sales manager at Custom Wire technologies.
“When our customers can provide accurate forecasting, we are able to set up Kanban programs with our raw material supplier allowing us to pull material off the shelf when needed and include the additional capacity to cover any shortages.”
However, in case of any further unexpected shortages or delays, the company also takes a proactive approach itself to ensure that certain alloys and sizes of medical wire are in stock at its own production facility. This is part of a wider approach at CWT to identify ways in which it can take steps to assist its clients’ requirements.
QwikCoil Program Delivers Results
This same supply chain approach has led CWT to recently launch its QwikCoil program that offers rapid turnaround and provides coiled wire components within a week, provided the material is in stock. Supported materials include 304V Stainless Steel (spring temper) and Nitinol #1 (straight annealed). Customer-supplied material is also acceptable.
The program covers coil size ID from 0.006” and up, and lengths up to 60”. Closed wound or open pitched designs are available with standard end cuts (axial).
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To learn more about how Custom Wire technologies can serve you and your business, be sure to reach out! We look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can be of service.