Partnerships for profit-preferred sourcing of equipment

It is noted that today´scompetitive manufacturing environment demands business methods that allow both suppliers and customers to understand mutual needs and requirements quickly and efficiently. Control systems must be defined, manufactured, installed, and put into operation expediently to meet payback requirements. How a customer and a supplier could enter into a partnership agreement that meets the above requirements is discussed. A number of benefits and concerns are discussed from both perspectives. It is concluded that preferred sourcing of systems is an ongoing process that allows for continuous incremental improvements. It requires hard work on the part of both the customer and the supplier. Preferred sourcing provides flexibility, familiarity, time savings, synergy, better designs, reduced training costs, reduced spare parts investment, instantaneous market feedback, and overall cost savings