In industry, the choice of a component cannot be analyzed solely by its purchase price. Availability, quality, delivery time, production capacity, technology, supply risk and impact on the final product are also part of this decision.
At Tecnnic, sourcing work is treated strategically for this very reason. The search for new components and suppliers has multiple objectives: reduce costs, mitigate supply risks, approve similar components, create supply alternatives and carry out benchmark ongoing relationship with current partners.
This process broadens the view of the market and allows decisions to be made considering the continuity and evolution of products over time.
Cost reduction with a focus on competitiveness
Cost reduction is one of the most important aspects of sourcing, but it should not be confused with simple price negotiation. In many cases, the opportunity lies in identifying new manufacturers, more efficient production processes, alternative materials or technically equivalent solutions with a better relationship between cost and performance.
At Tecnnic, the cost reduction of certain components also opens up space for the incorporation of new technologies into products without necessarily increasing the final price.
When gains are obtained in certain components of the cost structure, part of this efficiency is used to add new functionalities, improve specifications or incorporate technologies that increase the value delivered to the customer. In this way, sourcing stops being just a tool for reducing expenses and starts contributing directly to the competitiveness of the equipment.
Mitigation of supply problems
Another key objective is to reduce the company's exposure to supply risks. A component may represent a small portion of the total cost of a piece of equipment and yet be critical to its manufacturing. If this item becomes unavailable, the entire production process may be interrupted.
Therefore, Tecnnic works to continuously identify critical components and search for supply alternatives. This action involves evaluating:
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Dependencies on single suppliers;
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Replacement deadlines (lead time);
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Availability on the international market;
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Production capacity and risks in the supply chain.
Instead of looking for an alternative only when the problem occurs, the strategy consists of previously developing a second source of supply (dual sourcing), creating conditions for a quick reaction to possible market disruptions.
Strict approval of similar components
When identifying an alternative on the market, it is not enough that it has similar appearance or dimensions to the current component: it is necessary to prove that it meets all the technical requirements of the application.
This process involves direct integration between Supplies, Engineering and Quality:
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Supplies: identifies opportunities and alternatives available in the global market.
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Engineering: evaluates electrical, mechanical specifications, performance and compatibility.
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Quality: submits all new components to tests and formal approval processes before release for production.
This flow validates real supply alternatives and reduces dependence on specific manufacturers without compromising the Tecnnic quality standard.
Continuous benchmarking with current suppliers
Even when a supplier performs well, it is essential to understand how the solution offered is positioned in relation to the market.
Searching for new references allows you to compare prices, technology, materials, production capacity, manufacturing processes and commercial conditions. That benchmark It does not necessarily aim to replace the current supplier, but to validate the competitiveness of the existing solution or identify opportunities for evolution with the partner itself.
Advanced Inventory Assurance Strategies
In addition to the search for new sources, ensuring supply depends on logistical structuring and planning.
1. Global Strategic Stocks (Hong Kong)
For components considered highly critical, Tecnnic uses its own stock strategy in Hong Kong. This structure works as an additional layer of protection for the supply chain, ensuring up to 2 years of coverage for the main imported critical components.
This strategic reserve absorbs international fluctuations, long transport times and sudden variations in availability in the global semiconductor and electronic components market.
2. Advance order scheduling
For materials with lead times high, working with short-term purchases increases the risk of stockout. Therefore, Tecnnic schedules purchases with extended horizons, offering suppliers visibility into future demand for advance planning of capacity and raw materials.
3. Turnkey Partnerships and Long-Term Planning
For specific sets, Tecnnic works with partners specialized in production turnkey, where the supplier assumes broad management of the process and inputs. With structured schedules for horizons of at least one year, an integrated partnership relationship is created that reduces fluctuations and prepares the chain for the company's future demands.
Sourcing as a product evolution tool
The search for new suppliers and components often reveals opportunities not initially foreseen. During market mapping, it is common to find inputs with greater durability, better sealing, lighter weight, greater resistance or more recent technology.
In this way, an initiative that began with the objective of optimizing costs can result in a leap in quality and technical performance for the end customer's equipment.
By Mauricio
Logistics and Supply Manager at Tecnnic Eletrônica Industrial
Sourcing and Industrial Supplies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is strategic sourcing of industrial components?
It is the continuous and strategic analysis of the supply market that goes beyond the search for the lowest price. Sourcing assesses availability, quality, supply risks, production capacity and technological potential to ensure the best cost-benefit ratio and manufacturing continuity.
How does Tecnnic guarantee the supply of critical components?
Tecnnic operates on multiple fronts: prior approval of similar components (second source), advance purchasing scheduling with long-term horizons, model partnerships Turnkey and its own strategic inventory in Hong Kong with coverage of up to 2 years for critical global items.
How does reducing costs on supplies help improve products?
When sourcing achieves gains in efficiency and negotiation in structural components, this margin allows reinvestment in the incorporation of new technologies, new functionalities and materials with greater resistance in the final equipment without increasing the price to the customer.
