Manufacturers, consider these 5 tips to help protect your supply chain from costly disruption, plus highlights from NPE 2015, the International Plastics Exposition.

1. NPE2015
5
Key Insights to Help Manufacturers Prevent Supply Chain Disruption
2015

2. 2015

4. The most effective contingency plans include the entire
operation, including steps to take when a critical piece of
equipment breaks down.
Consider this checklist:
RELATED LINK:
4 Steps to a Business Continuity Plan
 List of key equipment
 Inventory of spare parts
 Identify specialized rental equipment needs
 Line up repair contractors
 Consider relationships with other companies that can help you when you are down

6. When your supply chain includes overseas suppliers, it can
mean increased risks and liabilities.
RELATED LINK:
Working With Overseas Suppliers
These 7 steps can help manage and mitigate risks:
1. Know regulations and standards; consult with legal counsel
2. Know your suppliers
3. Require an approval process for any changes
4. Conduct a rigorous quality control program
5. Arrange for independent product testing
6. Transfer risk to the extent possible; consult with legal counsel
7. Document everything!

8. When purchasing new equipment, it is a good idea to
consider the lead time it will take for repairs.
Do you know the answers to the following:
RELATED LINK:
Create an Emergency Communications Plan
 What are the technician lead times?
 How long will it take to get parts?
 Are new machine parts available for older machines?
 Will you need extra time or money to make custom modifications?

10. Running highly specialized machines like those at NPE
requires skilled machine operators. Loss of these key
personnel can present a disruption to your supply chain.
A sound business continuity plan considers:
RELATED LINK:
Identify In-Plant Bottlenecks
 Training for less experienced workers
 A response to workers compensation claims
 Succession planning

12. Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. They
encompass the entire product life cycle, with
dependencies upstream, in-plant and downstream.
Do you know the answers to the following:
RELATED LINK:
Take The Supply Chain Pressure Test
 Which links in your supply chain might be most at risk?
 What can be done to help manage this risk?
Our four-part questionnaire can help you uncover and avert potential supply chain risks.

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2015

14. From the NPE floor:
Blow-molding technology manufactures products without scrap. Plastic preforms reduce
waste but can increase supply chain risk if source is interrupted.

15. From the NPE floor:
Some thermoforming machines now contain closed loop recycling systems to
reduce waste and improve efficiency.

16. From the NPE floor:
Determining source of replacement equipment, along with lead time, is important
to limit impact to production capability.

17. For more manufacturing risks and trends,
visit www.travelers.com/manufacturing
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