Tactics to get cooperation from Contract Manufactuers

P

ProblemChild

I would like to know what are your strategies to work with your contract manufacturers when your request got turned down because they said it was not in the original contract?

For example, we would like our CMs to transfer quality/ traceability data electronically on a daily basis vs. excel file or per request basis. We knew the Tier 1 CMs are capable and is providing the service to their other customers. Hence we are not asking them to spend resources to develop something new from the ground.

Sometimes, we have to wait a day or two, even week to get an answer back from the CM on a simple date code related inquiry. If we have the information, we will able to retrieve the info. much faster because we have more people to support the business than our CMs.
 

Marc

Fully vaccinated are you?
Leader
Aspects such as data submission requirements are typically negotiated early on. Asking a supplier, which a contract manufacturer is, to do more than was agreed to is typically not something you can ask for at no additional cost unless you are a very significant part of their income. Have you offered to pay them for the additional service?
 
P

ProblemChild

Not yet..but eventually we may come down to that ( paying extra $$) and that is what I am trying to avoid if possible

CMs should understand that electronic data transfer will reduce their own engineering time/resources significantly because their QEs will no longer need to compile the data periodically, and answering on-going initial data inquiries. I understand that in some situation, this new practice will generate more issues for CMs if the data are not clean (GIGO) to begin with. It actually can help the rest of the organization to be more proactive instead of always in the reactive mode.

I agree that the "Purchasing Power" does play a signifant role in this. Too bad I am not working for Apple : )
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
rudolph,

Cuz you didn’t get the contract right you are now asking them for a favor.

May I suggest that you politely find out what you could do for them.

Have you built a good relationship with their decision-maker and influencers yet?

John
 

psp1234

Involved In Discussions
Hi Rudolph,
I suspect that the shift from what they are doing now (paper? accumulation?) to electronic daily reports requires more/other resources, otherwise, they would have gladly comply.
I agree with the other member who suggested a negotiation, a payment or a highlighting a mutual benefit.

Good luck!
Sue
 

Ninja

Looking for Reality
Trusted Information Resource
I would suggest an on-site visit to the CM by your quality manager and your IT manager.

This entire meeting should be posed, and conducted, on a single premise:

"We asked for something we thought was easy and would save you money...you don't think it will thus you didn't do it. We clearly don't understand something and we'd like to understand.

If what we asked for is actually a burden rather than a help...please help us understand how much we need to pay you to put this in place.
Our time spent, and travel costs to be here should show you that we're willing to pay..."
 

Marc

Fully vaccinated are you?
Leader
Were I the contract manufacturer, I would have just suggested a contract revision to address the additional requirements. John's post (#4) is good - You should have close relationships when possible.
 
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