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experienced shifts in supplier performance , with some previously reliable suppliers facing challenges while others maintain their level of excellence . It was also particularly challenging for me personally , as I assumed a new role overseeing the supply chain of our products . In addition to supervising production , quality control , and elements of human resources and engineering , taking on the responsibility of the supply chain presented a significant learning curve . The nature of supply chain management is distinctly different from engineering , requiring an expansion in my skills and knowledge in the area . Building relationships , dealing with things outside of my control , and navigating the complexities of not only our suppliers but their suppliers as well has been difficult , but I managed .
“ Managing inventory has also been challenging due to the unpredictability of supply chain dynamics . Delays in the supply chain resulted in items that would typically be acquired within a few weeks now taking several months to arrive . Consequently , the accumulation of these delayed orders led to a significant rise in our inventory levels over the past year . We are also facing lead times of up to two years for certain materials . This has posed difficulties for our business , as typical lead time to our customers is around two weeks . Thus , we must maintain a diverse range of materials and resources on-site or we cannot satisfy that lead time ,” he states .
Man and machine
Acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of the supply chain , Continental Disc has shifted its focus to areas within its control . Indeed , the company has made significant investments in technology to enhance operational efficiency . “ In our efforts to streamline
operations , we are actively identifying repetitive tasks within our processes . It is important to address any concerns among our employees regarding the introduction of robots and automation and reassure them that our objective is not to replace them with robots , but rather to relieve them of mundane tasks . Through automation , we aim to free up our skilled workforce to focus on more valuable and fulfilling work . Moreover , Continental Disc is also actively exploring opportunities to incorporate advanced technologies into its operations . While these technologies have been available for years , we need to customize and develop solutions specific to our business requirements . Our operations require custom tooling , automation , robotics , and controls . We are currently evaluating which tasks are suitable for automation , the end goal being to strike a balance between leveraging technology
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