What exactly is a dock-to-stock program? Is it just another catchy phrase that holds little meaning or value? Or is it something you should think about when deciding where to manufacture your product's parts?
At ThermoFab, we have a dock-to-stock program because it's essential to our lean manufacturing philosophy. So while we may appear biased, we also firmly believe that you'll see how a dock-to-stock program can work for your company once you read the benefits below.
Dock-to-Stock Programs: The Right Idea
The beauty of a dock-to-stock program is that it puts you--the customer--first. While the goal of many manufacturers is to produce faster and ship faster so that they can get paid faster, advocates of dock-to-stock programs recognize that everyone benefits--the client as well as the manufacturer--when the client's needs are put first.
Three Core Benefits:
1. Reduces duplicate work. Typically, a dock-to-stock program is based on a yearlong contract. So what does this mean for you? Set-up happens only once instead of every time you need to re-order because your information and, more important, your part's information is already in the system.
2. Produces higher quality parts. The bedrock principle of dock-to-stock programs is that a system is in place to manufacture x-number of units per month, over 12 months, using a 45-day buffer window for push-and-pull planning based on communication between the manufacturer and the client. "Planning" is definitely the key word. Because orders are planned, parts aren't being produced on a whim or worse--in a rush. Planning allows for proper engineering, set-up, and manufacturing--every time.
3. Reduces inventory. You won't be carrying inventory on your books and you won't be holding products in your warehouse, which saves you time and money since you don't need someone managing and cataloging the inventory.
In dock-to-stock programs, you're controlling the processes--planning, production, and quality assurance--instead of the processes controlling you.
At ThermoFab, we work closely with you on the planning end, and we work with you to adjust the forecast along the way. We have strong vendor management on our end as well, and because we've been in business for 32 years, we have multiple suppliers we can call upon, when necessary. Our top priority always has been and always will be shipping quality parts on time, when you need them.
Case in Point
A Dream Team Becomes The Beauty Team
IBC Teams With ThermoFab To Deliver Medical Laser for Candela Corporation
Challenge: Bringing Together Usability & Aesthetics
- Create an attractive, useable design that met all laser housing requirements
- Meet tight time-to-market requirements
- Find a responsive manufacturing partner focused on the end user requirements
International Biophysics Corporation (IBC) is well versed in what it takes to get an FDA approved medical device product to market. And when that product will be used by spas and medical offices worldwide, it not only needs to be designed to meet the specific housing needs of a highly sensitive laser it also needs to meet the aesthetic needs of a high-end customer base.
So when IBC began working with Candela Corporation, the leader in the aesthetic laser market, they wanted a partner that could combine form and function with great looks. And this is where ThermoFab came in. Initially approached because of their close proximity to Candela headquarters, it quickly became apparent to IBC that ThermoFab was the right choice for many other reasons.
Solution: ThermoFab--The Right Choice
IBC originally worked with an industrial design firm to address the aesthetic requirements of the laser. But when it came to combining design with the lasers specific needs they turned to ThermoFab's in-house resources to bring it all together.
"I've worked with industrial designers before," stated Bill Wilkinson, Vice-President of IBC. "And often I end up with something that looks nice but cannot be used effectively. ThermoFab understood the strict parameters required for the laser to function properly and to ensure the end product fit into the Candela product line."
"Plus," he continued, "they were such a pleasure to work with. Everyone in the company understood what we were trying to accomplish and they really put forth a team effort to make it happen. The product was delivered on-time and exactly the way we agreed--it was a great process."
Results: Just What the Client Ordered
A happy client, a great looking product, and a strong collaboration--what more could you ask for?