In the highly competitive world of metal fabrication, delivering exceptional quality products to clients efficiently and cost-effectively is paramount. One area where significant savings can be achieved is in streamlining the supply chain, specifically focusing on optimizing shipping and logistics operations.
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) aims to serve our customers by saving them money in a variety of ways. Whether we’re helping you decide between our various methods for manufacturing your parts, advising on the best process to paint them, or reducing churn with our flexible assembly and kitting options, our experts offer decades of deep insight into the best way to optimize the manufacturing process and reduce costs. Additionally, streamlining the supply chain extends these benefits even further.
Streamlining the Supply Chain
Streamlining optimizes the supply chain for improved efficiency and cost savings. As with everything we do at Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS), we don’t skimp on quality to save a few cents. We are an ISO-certified metal fabricating partner to many businesses in a variety of industries, so our fabricated metal parts are held to stringent, industry-specific production standards.
We are a leading precision, custom sheet metal fabrication and powder coat paint business that helps companies of all sizes improve overall costs by providing them with innovative solutions for their products and flexibility that matches their business needs. Our reputation is built on quality, innovation, and saving our customer’s money!
IMS’s streamlining and optimizing solutions focus on:
- Shipping cost reduction through more effective shipping strategies.
- Enhanced logistics operations in inventory management, transportation, and warehousing.
- Leveraging Technology to automate certain processes, provide data analytics, and reduce costs through cloud-based platforms.
- Eliminating inefficiencies by streamlining workflow, processes, and operations to eliminate bottlenecks and increase productivity.
- Improving efficiency in order procurement, fulfillment, and distribution.
- Integrating different stages of the supply chain through connecting suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers seamlessly for a smoother process.
Adding value to the supply chain with customization, such as in packaging, product labeling, and assembly.
Inventory Management
Effective inventory management plays a vital role in reducing shipping and logistics costs. By closely monitoring and analyzing demand patterns, we can adjust our inventory levels to align with client requirements. This helps minimize inventory holding costs and reduces the risk of excess inventory or stock outs.
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) has adopted inventory management software and adopted lean manufacturing principles, optimize efficiency, and enable us to meet client demands promptly by reducing unnecessary expense.
- Implementation of Just-in-Time (JIT) Manufacturing. JIT manufacturing principles emphasize producing goods only as they are needed, eliminating excess inventory, and associated holding costs. By adopting JIT practices, IMS can minimize work-in-progress inventory, optimize production schedules, and reduce lead times. This lean approach enables us to respond swiftly to changing client demands while optimizing shipping and logistics, resulting in cost savings that can be passed on to our clients.
Strong Supplier Relationships. IMS has established long-term partnerships with trusted suppliers that allows us to negotiate favorable pricing, reduce lead times, and gain access to volume discounts. Streamlining communication and sharing forecasts with our suppliers enables them to plan their production, accordingly, reducing the chances of delays or disruptions for our clients. Our reliable supplier network ensures timely availability of raw materials, ultimately benefiting our clients by avoiding costly production delays.
Shipping
In essence, optimizing the shipping and logistics chain not only ensures timely creation and delivery of orders and parts, but also minimizes future challenges. By reducing the time spent on tracking down orders, addressing delivery gaps, and managing the logistical consequences arising from potential issues, we streamline operations and alleviate potential headaches in what is arguably the most critical segment of the supply chain.
Here at Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS), we are keenly aware that shipping is the stage-gate between our facility and our customers. Shipping sets the pace for the entire relationship between the production facility and product inventory. Delivery of the product is essentially the first step in the production process, so it is critical to all activities that take place afterward.
When it comes to shipping, there are a few ways that we can help save both time and money, such as the following:
- Reduce the Volume of shipments. Our assembly and kitting options help you reduce the volume and number of shipments needed to fulfill orders.
Implementation of a Defined Delivery Schedule. Another area where we can help is with the frequency of our shipments. We work closely with our customers to plan part shipments in advance so that they can be delivered on a regular schedule. This allows customers to have confidence that they’ll have what they need with a defined delivery schedule that also permits for more time to adjust to any issues that might arrive.
Logistics
When looking at logistics costs specifically, the logistics considerations that we help cut down on are most often paperwork related ones.
- Blanket Ordering Programs use a predetermined trigger that generates another order, so we can send another batch of parts out on time. This not only helps reduce ordering and manufacturing costs, but also minimizes the need for the purchasing department to waste time cutting new purchase orders.
- Collaborative Transportation Solutions Transportation costs can be a significant portion of the overall logistics expenses. Consolidating shipments, optimizing delivery routes, and utilizing freight optimization software are effective ways we minimize transportation expenses.
Spending time understanding the unique situation of our customers helps us work together to find the best solution. For example, we work with a customer whose facility is located several hundred miles away. They have their own delivery truck, and over time we’ve gotten into a rhythm where we can maximize the value on each of their trips. They come to our facility periodically to deliver both packaging materials and raw materials, and at the same time we make sure their next order is ready, so they can pick up completed parts at the same time. This allows them to have a 2-way trip, which minimizes the number of trips they must make. It ensures that a truckload leaves their facility, and a truckload arrives on the same day to help alleviate space constraints.
Technology and Automation
At Integrated Manufacturing Solutions, we have embraced technology and automation as catalysts to revolutionize our supply chain and streamline various aspects of our business. By leveraging cutting-edge advancements, we have transformed the way we manage inventory, production, and logistics, leading to enhanced efficiency and operational excellence.
Through the implementation of automated material handling systems and advanced robotics, we optimize internal processes, significantly reduce labor costs, and achieve overall productivity gains. These technological solutions allow us to streamline workflows, minimize human error, and maximize output, ensuring that our manufacturing operations operate seamlessly.
Additionally, our commitment to real-time tracking and data analytics empowers us with improved visibility into our shipping and logistics operations. By harnessing the power of data, we can make proactive decisions, optimize efficiency, and identify opportunities for cost savings. This data-driven approach enables us to react swiftly to changing circumstances, mitigate potential disruptions, and enhance the overall performance of our supply chain.
Ultimately, we understand that every business has unique manufacturing processes and logistical requirements. We are dedicated to working closely with our clients, understanding their needs, and customizing solutions to simplify their manufacturing processes and streamline their supply chain.
Ready for a Free Quote?
We proudly serve the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. It only takes a minute! Select the service you’d like, upload your designs, and a member of our team will respond with a free quote as soon as possible. If you don’t have design mockups, or need some help figuring out a design, we’d love to help! Simply give us a call and a member of our team would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Lead Time
3 days
Parts Completed
22,000
Manufacturing Footprint
60,000 sq ft.
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