Supplier Development―A Tool for Improving Purchased Parts Quality, Cost, and Delivery

摘要

Supplier development, supplier certification, supplier partnership, and "partnering" are terms that are widely used to describe how two companies conduct business with one another. The APICS Dictionary defines supplier partnership as "the establishment of a working relationship with a supplier organization whereby two organizations act as one." My corporation defines it as "an approach to business that involves close cooperation between the supplier and the customer. It provides benefits and responsibilities that each party must recognize and work together to realize." These two definitions help us to understand how important it is for supplier and customer to work together to accomplish mutual, self-sustaining goals. This is the "partnering" required of such a relationship. By adding measurement to the partnership, we can recognize those suppliers that meet or exceed expectations of the relationship. Customers hope that by recognizing their best suppliers, the best will strive to get better, and the underachievers will strive to become one of the best. Some of the reasons companies strive for recognition from their customers include 1. ease of conducting business 2. opportunities for increased business 3. new product development opportunities 4. recognition for a job well done. As companies partner with each other, and as they become more open with each other, their business relationship will allow them to conduct business more efficiently and with less effort. Both will learn the importance each places on the various aspects of their business and will focus their efforts on those areas. Every level within the two organizations will work closely together to simplify their processes.