Supply chain analysis through partner suppliers: a study of a small-medium sized company in Brazil

Abstract

With the process of globalization of economies, companies have been suffering increasing competition in the search for and maintenance of customers. Thus, opportunities that represent competitive advantage have been analysed and, many times, adopted. In this context, the supply chain can be a competitive differential, as it favours cost reduction and quality improvement of production resources. On the other hand, delays, and shortages of inputs in the production chain generate losses of resources and damage the company’s image with its customers. Within this perspective, the supply chain of a heavy machinery and equipment manufacturer, addressing the indicators Supplier Potential (PF), Supply Conformity Index (ICF) and Service Index (AI). The objective of this research was to identify the delays and shortages of inputs, arising from the company’s supply chain, as well as from the purchasing and parts collection process. To this end, the fundamentals of Taker ship and Management by Indicators were adopted, a ming to achieve the proposed objectives. The work sought to collect data from the root year of the analysed process so that a picture could be made of how the process happened in he beginning, in the year 2008 and these data reflect the current reality of the company 2021. The study indicated the need for a new purchasing and parts collection system that could contribute to the elimination or reduction of the identified losses. The results obtained showed the successes in the supply chain integration strategy, using partner suppliers, as well as the implementation of a Milk Run type parts collection system.