Materials Management in Liquid Management

Inventory Management

We maintain framework agreements with numerous customers, under which we procure and store the required goods. We order project-specific items from our suppliers as needed. Thanks to long-standing partnerships, we can vouch for the quality of the purchased components, respond quickly and deliver on time. In doing so, we follow the “six Rs of logistics”:

• the right products in
• the right quantity
• at the right place
• in the right quality
• at the right cost
• at the right time

Inventory Management and Stocktaking

After the ordered goods arrive, we carry out component-specific incoming inspections and store the parts in our pallet or small-parts warehouses. In our ERP system, we maintain and monitor our bills of materials and inventory levels. Thanks to continuous stocktaking, we can ensure that the inventory quantities recorded in the system match the actual stock on hand.

Goods Dispatch

Finished products are transferred to goods dispatch, where they are labeled and packaged. Depending on the agreement, the ordered goods are then shipped throughout Europe or collected by our customers in Schachen. At the customer’s request, we package and palletize the goods.

We Maintain Partnerships With Our Suppliers Just as We Do With Our Customers. Together, We Can Grow and Benefit From Open and Transparent Collaboration.

Sascha Waldispühl – Head of Materials Management | Reed Electronics AG

Supplier Management

We maintain close partnerships with our suppliers to ensure the quality, security of supply and an appropriate price level for the components we purchase. To ensure compliance with our high standards, we continuously carry out comprehensive supplier management:

1. Qualification

Who is a good fit for us? We evaluate potential suppliers that meet our standards. On this basis, we create the necessary foundation for the future development of these suppliers.

2. Evaluation

We assess existing and potential new suppliers according to defined criteria and determine who keeps their promises and has the necessary development potential.

3. Classification

In the third step, we classify the quality of existing Reed suppliers as well as the opportunities offered by potential new partners. In doing so, we use different classification levels.

4. Development

Through personal dialogue, the aim is to further improve the quality of existing suppliers and increase the opportunities of potential suppliers.

5. Blocking

Various reasons such as quality defects, repeated failure to meet agreed delivery dates, violations of terms and applicable law, or bankruptcy may result in the partial or complete blocking of a supplier.

Sustainability

The environmentally responsible and sustainable use of resources is a matter close to our hearts. Our company building meets modern standards and has a good environmental footprint. The use of waste heat helps us save energy. In packaging logistics, we rely on reusable transport containers. By avoiding unnecessary packaging, plastics and filling materials, we have been able to reduce our waste volume many times over.

Local Suppliers from the DACH Region

Whenever possible, we rely on local suppliers from the DACH region. We value partnerships with small and medium-sized companies in our area. Short communication channels enable greater sustainability, increased flexibility and higher quality.

Batch Traceability

Thanks to our ERP-supported, reconstructable supply chain, we are able – where necessary – to trace products and product batches as well as individual components back to their materials and manufacturing processes. Batch traceability shows which batches were used in a specific product.

The system also provides further information regarding the production time within our assembly, quality inspections, involved suppliers, machines used, employees involved, raw materials used as well as storage locations or transport routes.

This provides our customers with the advantage that, in the event of a production error, we can react immediately and quickly identify the affected products.

Change Management

If there is a reason to replace individual components within our products, we conduct tests as part of thorough Change Management to verify the suitability of replacement components. Our customers are closely involved in this process and retain decision-making authority.

As soon as the change is implemented, a Change Notification is issued. This makes it possible to document from which serial number the change takes effect. This ongoing communication is an integral part of our quality agreements.

The past few years were marked by a global materials crisis on an unprecedented scale. During this time, Reed Electronics AG was able to more than double its production in some cases and was never affected by supply interruptions. We are particularly proud of this and would like to sincerely thank all our suppliers for the strong partnerships.

Sascha Waldispühl – Head of Materials Management | Reed Electronics AG

Improved Productivity Thanks to the Kardex Storage System

The growing range of parts and components, high-performance warehouse processes and smooth production supply place ever-increasing demands on flexible and seamless logistics.

Compared to conventional storage in cabinets, shelves or on pallets, the Kardex Vertical Lift Module enables maximum storage capacity in a small footprint.

Bossard SmartBin

We use Bossard SmartBin in our production lines. When required, the system automatically triggers a reorder so that a seamless supply can always be ensured. Individual parts practically manage themselves.