The new sourcing mantra: Think globally: Internet-based solutions locate the right suppliers, regardless of location

摘要

When Powertrain Control Solutions solicited quotes for a special part to use in one of its products, the response from North American suppliers was disappointing. "Most said the project couldn't be done easily," recalls James Ballenger, chief mechanical engineer at the Ashland, Va.-based transmission manufacturer. "So they either declined to give us a quote, or they quoted prices we thought were ridiculous." Not long ago, Powertrain Control would have been forced to either pay the ridiculous price or come up with a new product design. With the technology available today-specifically Internet-based procurement solutions-Powertrain Control Solutions found a small supplier on the other side of the globe that met its requirements for the part and its price.