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Vendor Simplified
How To Consolidate Sourcing in Electrical Assembly and Automation
Issue 049
If you’ve ever managed more than three vendors for a single part, you know exactly how it feels: one timeline slips, another spec gets misread, and somehow the packaging still isn’t labeled right.
For procurement pros in electrical and industrial automation, this isn’t a rare problem — it’s a structural one. Every handoff between stamping, machining, and inspection adds risk, delay, and cost.
Now, in 2025, smart procurement teams are shifting away from the multi-vendor model. They’re moving toward partners who can do more under one roof. That’s where things start to get easier.
The Problem: Too Many Vendors, Not Enough Visibility
Let’s break it down. Most teams source like this:
– One supplier for stamping
– One for CNC machining or laser cutting
– One for passivation, plating, or coating
– Another for inspection or gaging
– And maybe even more for packaging or assembly
Sure, it works — until it doesn’t. Communication gaps multiply. Lead times compound. Quality issues get harder to isolate. And managing inspection data from four vendors? That’s a full-time job by itself.
The Better Way: Streamline Through Integration
You don’t need more software to manage the mess. You need fewer moving parts.
Today’s high-performing buyers are embracing vertically integrated manufacturing partners — suppliers that consolidate core operations like tooling, stamping, machining, and inspection into one operation. Think of it like hiring a general contractor instead of managing all the subs yourself.
When you go this route, you gain:
🎯 Centralized accountability
⏱️ Faster production cycles
📊 Unified quality documentation
🔄 Simplified change management
It’s not about losing control — it’s about gaining clarity.
What to Look For in a Partner
Not all “full-service” suppliers are built the same. Here’s what to actually look for when vetting a vertically integrated partner:
🛠️ In-house tooling and stamping capabilities (no outsourcing hidden in the background)
🔍 GD&T-capable inspection gages and digital reporting systems
🧩 Ability to handle subassemblies or in-die operations to reduce downstream processing
🗂️ Track record in regulated environments with ISO, ITAR, or UL certifications
🌎 Domestic operations to eliminate global logistics drag
When you find a supplier that checks these boxes, you’re not just buying parts — you’re upgrading your entire workflow.
What Success Looks Like
Here’s what streamlined sourcing actually delivers:
🧾 Fewer POs and less time chasing updates
✅ Better traceability with single-source quality control
🔁 Faster design changes, fewer miscommunications
📈 More predictable costs, timelines, and outcomes
Instead of managing problems, you’re managing progress.
Let's Talk
Tired of babysitting multiple vendors for one assembly? Let’s connect. I’d love to hear how you’re simplifying sourcing in your world — or help you map out your next move.
Gromax Precision Die & Mfg., Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing precision metal stamped parts and tooling, including progressive stamping dies and custom equipment. With an on-time delivery rate of 99.68% and a defect rate of just 0.066%, the company ensures exceptional reliability and quality.
Gromax is ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR registered, serving industries such as medical, defense, aerospace, industrial automation, and automotive with high-quality, innovative solutions.