Supplier and component database management
The supplier and component database management in MST is a process which plays a key role in shaping and optimizing the total cost of a product. To be able to offer competitively priced and high quality products, the supply base in MST is continually optimized mostly by the following subprocesses: the supplier selection, negotiations, the release / rejection of new components, the management of the quality of suppliers and components, the cooperation evaluation, making corrective actions and continuous improvement.
The Purchase Department in MST is experienced in the development of the sources of components’ supply, such as the coil wires and cables, steel and metal components, insulation materials and industrial chemicals, plastics, connectors and contacts, which is proved by the direct business contacts with the largest producers of the above groups of components, e.g. DAHRENTRAD, US Steel, Du Pont, Akzo Nobel, DSM, TE Connectivity, WAGO, Electro Terminal.
The database of the suppliers of components for the electronics manufacturing is currently the most dynamic group. In the projects of high volumes of production we work directly with the manufacturers offering competitive prices and the best quality of products. As far as smaller projects are concerned, we cooperate with a network of distributors,( incl. Samsung, Osram, Seoul, Infineon, TDK-EPCOS, STMicroelectronics, Microchip Technology) who guarantee not only flexibility of supplying goods but also technical support. The transition from a small batch production to mass series is always followed by the process of adjusting the supplier database, so that the benefits for the customer, resulting from the economies of scale, can be achieved.
The goal of MST is to suit the model of the supplier and component database management to the client’s individual needs and expectations. Depending on the level, we offer the following models of cooperation:
- Commodate – customers supply MST with their own components for production, MST deals with the inspection at the entrance, warehouse management (virtual storage, QR-code identification, FIFO, valuation period, refreshing and utilizing the components, inventory management and material requirements planning).
- Customer supplier database management at the operational level – the customer provides MST with the agreed terms and conditions signed by both: the customer and the supplier of components, MST becomes responsible for all dealings with the supplier, in terms of completing orders for components, managing/controlling the quality of components and financing their full acquisition costs.
- Becoming responsible for the customer supplier database – MST fully manages the customer supplier database, in terms of the components used in the products for customers, as well as the tools and equipment necessary for their implementation (trade negotiations, the GPA, LA ,QA agreements and contracts).
- Integrated management and the development of supplier database – in order to manage the changes in a customer product, MST develops, tests and releases/rejects the components in the customers’ products, draws up and upgrades specification sheets for the components, manages the projects of purchase, such as the release/rejection of new suppliers of components, the optimization of logistics service, the renegotiations of agreement terms and conditions based on the summarized MST and customers’ needs, managing the database of the suppliers of raw materials for the components, etc.
In all these models we guarantee the confidentiality, which is confirmed by the appropriate agreement.
In the MST we manage not only the suppliers of components, but we also offer support if any change in the components occurs. Our suppliers of specialized tools and equipment (such as injection moulds, castings, progressive tools for punching and stamping) are also involved in the process of designing and optimizing the components. The access to the latest technology for prototyping 3D printing and laser cutting) allows the materialization of the product or component in a relatively short period of time. It enables making all the changes and improvements before the final version of the tools, which are necessary to produce the component, is determined. This support means significant savings for our customers, as it guarantees lower costs of the project and a shorter time for the product to be launched on the market.
