Following initial sales calls made in 2015 and subsequent discussions, the project to develop a new spray tanning product line was on track for 2020 development. Then, of course, COVID hit! However, thanks to Source International’s full Operations team on the ground in Asia, we were 100% ready to proceed as soon as we got the green light.
Action Plan:
After several conference calls and sales visits, a team from Source including sales and senior leadership met with the customer’s management team on-site at their facility to dive into the project and develop the features, timelines, and expectations for their new spray tanning system.
A Source Customer Team was assembled in both the US and China office to review the customer’s existing products and to discuss how the ideas presented by the customer in preliminary meetings would be developed into the fully integrated spray tanning system with TUV certification. Budgets were created, timelines established, and the following list of desired features was developed:
HVLP Technology
Lightweight & Compact
Standard 100V Plug
Modern Appearance
Comfortable Hand Grip
Convenient Hanger on Sprayer
Adjustable Spray Pattern
Kink-free Hose
Ergonomic Carry Handle
Power Switch
Stable Foot Design
Stylish & Portable
Low Operating Noise
Removable Air Filter
Integrated Spray Gun Storage
Results:
After the initial product engineering was completed, Pre-Production Samples were made using various prototyping techniques and presented to the customer’s team where they were carefully reviewed by their senior management, sales, marketing, product management, engineering and supply chain teams to ensure they met the design and performance requirements. Once the Pre-Production Prototypes had been fully tested, design changes were made, and several rounds of additional sample prototyping took place. Following field testing of the final prototypes, customer approval of the M1000 Spray Tanning System was given, and the Source team began to build the tooling and set the final timing for production start-up.
After the multiple tooling was completed, Source engineers debugged them. It took several rounds of shots until the tooled Pre-Production sample was approved and the product was released into mass production for the first order. These units were delivered to the customer’s warehouse in 2021. After the second order, the company’s QA manager remarked, “Nice work! We inspected 10% of the second PO of 2000 ea. We found no leaks. Engineering is comfortable with the inspection and results.”
This project represented a true collaborative redesign effort involving the collective efforts of Source and the customer’s engineering, operations, factory, marketing, sales, operations, purchasing and executive teams all working together to accomplish this product development and offshore manufacturing success story. This initial success led to the next series of sample units being sent to the Source China office for review and re-development to add the portfolio of products we will be producing for this customer. See the product in action at this video link.
Source International’s dedicated professionals can achieve the same winning results for your OEM parts and products. For additional details regarding this success story, please contact our Midwest sales office at 440-546-0630 or our US Headquarters office at 502-589-7900. Contact us today to arrange a no obligation assessment of how we can supply a partnership which adds value to your OEM products.
Supply Chain Best Practices is a topic of great interest to Source International and every progressive supply management organization. We study the market to gain insights into what the best and the brightest are doing. One such resource is Gartner, a leading research and advisory company founded in 1979, that researches the supply chains of hundreds of companies to produce the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25, an annual ranking of the world’s best supply chains. Gartner’s Top 25 celebrates examples of supply chain excellence that understand customer value, invest in demand management, and promote innovation.
The three key trends of supply chain best practices that stand out for 2021 are:
The Purpose-Driven Organization
In large corporate supply chains, more ambitious sustainability goals are being set and the plans to achieve these goals look more achievable than ever. Some are even treating environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments as a purely operational cost. Many investments benefit both planet and business with sustainability factors like carbon emissions considered along with cost and service trade-offs. Some examples include optimizing inbound supply and distribution networks to take vehicles off roads and reducing air freight. Process-based companies are reusing heat from upstream manufacturing processes to power others downstream. At a product development level, we see more recyclable and compostable materials and creative solutions for increasing shipping density. Some products are being designed for circularity, while others are designed to drive a smaller customer environmental footprint. Beyond the natural environment, many supply chain organizations have increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Some have even linked executive bonus compensation to progress against DEI goals.
Customer-Driven Business Transformation
The COVID pandemic produced supply disruptions, larger-than-normal demand swings, and an accelerated level of business model transformation, requiring supply chains to be highly adaptive. Many changes were driven by an increase in products and services delivered directly to customers and patients, instead of through more traditional, centralized locations such as physical stores and medical facilities. Retailers saw tremendous shifts from brick-and-mortar channels to direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, which in turn required significant investments in fulfillment center automation to handle elevated e-commerce orders. As DTC orders have increased as a percentage of sales, the higher cost of delivery in the “last mile” has led to innovation and new partnerships such as co-sharing brick-and-mortar space for specialty sales and expanded e-commerce returns offerings. Overall, the supply chains most able to adapt to shifting business conditions win in the marketplace.
The Digital-First Supply Chain
Supply chain leaders have reached a point where they consider themselves “digital first” in the use of technology to enable more seamless customer experiences and more automated and insightful decisions in supply and product management. A common feature is a shift toward common ERP platforms, processes and datasets that can be leveraged for insight and decision making. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being used more commonly to analyze supply constraints in real time and balance market share, profit and customer support objectives such as in transportation to monitor and manage shipments. Shop floor automation continues in factory environments with some of the more advanced players using centralized, remote factory monitoring and accelerated automation in distribution and fulfillment centers. Digital transformation requires talent. Several supply chain organizations run digital literacy and dexterity programs to enable employees to better understand and exploit digital business opportunities and learn how to use data-driven analytics for more informed decision making in their roles.
2021 Supply Chain Excellence Ratings
The 2021 Rankings of the world’s most superior supply chains that lead the workd in deveoping and implementing Supply Chain Best Practices:
Cisco Systems
Colgate-Palmolive
Johnson & Johnson
Schneider Electric
Nestlé
Intel
PepsiCo
Walmart
L’Oréal
Alibaba
AbbVie
Nike
Inditex
Dell Technologies
HP Inc.
Lenovo
Diageo
The Coca-Cola Company
British American Tobacco
BMW
Pfizer
Starbucks
General Mills
Bristol Myers Squibb
3M
Superior supply chains deliver on the business’s purpose and employing supply chain best practices help organizations understand customer value, invest in demand management, and promote innovation against ESG using peer benchmarks for supply chain transformation and to accelerate supply chain performance. Thanks to Gartner for this excellent report on and for some very helpful Supply Chain Best Practices to shore up supply chains in 2021 and beyond. Download their complete report HERE.
For more information on Source International and how we can help your company achieve supply chain excellence contact our experienced team today to set up an exploratory call. You’ll be glad you did!
Source International Xiamen Team held a fun summer party in the beautiful Ten Miles Blue Mountains of Fujian Province, which is famous for its sea of flowers and the air.
In the beautiful and fresh nature, the teams played three games. The first game was called kangaroo jump which need to put their feet into the bag. The second was “number convey game ” for testing everyone’s tacit understanding. The last and the most exciting game was “Rip the nametag off.
We feel the powerful force of energy, motivation, and teamwork. The championship team was awarded by Jeff.
The 2018 Ceramic Industry Supplier of the Year is Source International
By Susan Sutton, Editor-in-Chief
Manufacturers in the ceramic, glass, refractories, brick and related industries rely on the dedicated support of a multitude of suppliers in order to be successful. Ceramic Industry offers manufacturers the opportunity to acknowledge their valued suppliers by nominating them for our annual Supplier of the Year Award. Nominees are evaluated on a number of different qualities, including responsiveness, product options, reliability and overall performance (among others). I’m excited to share the news that the 2018 Ceramic Industry Supplier of the Year is Source International!
Source International (SI) was nominated by Mike Bunge, director of Global Resources for Libbey Inc. In his nomination, Bunge writes, “SI has helped us to remove multiple barriers in our supply chain through proprietary systems that provide far greater visibility into lead times, service levels, quality levels, and pricing.”
According to Bunge, who also nominated SI for last year’s Supplier of the Year Award, the company serves as Libbey’s agent in Asia providing bilingual personnel who are available to assist with operations, logistics and supply chain issues, including product development and engineering, the monitoring of manufacturing processes, and social responsibility and quality compliance.
“Source International helps us execute globally,” says Bunge. “It’s very difficult to have boots on the ground in many regions. It becomes quite expensive. But the Source International reps are knowledgeable regarding common processes and procedures, and are further trained on our specific products and processes.”
SI is a 30-year-old manufacturing and supply management company with about 80 employees. According to Jim Ullum, managing partner, the company has been working with Libbey for 10 years. A dedicated team, comprising merchandisers, engineers, quality technicians, among others, works directly with Libbey to ensure smooth operations that result in quality products.
“Our motto is, we create partnerships for our customers’ success,” says Ullum. “We become an extension of our customers. We don’t work for the suppliers; we work for Libbey. Everything we do is in concert with what they want to do and what their goals are. We feel like we’re Libbey employees, even though technically we aren’t.”
According to Bunge, SI’s size makes the company an ideal supplier for Libbey’s needs—large enough to provide the scope of support required while small enough to be flexible and adaptable when processes and procedures change. “I’m a big supporter of theirs because they’ve helped me, my team and our organization,” he says. “They’ve helped me and my team look good—internally to our organization—and they’ve helped our organization compete better on a global scale.”
Ceramic Industry publisher Tom Fowler presented Source International with the 2018 Supplier of the Year Award on May 1, 2018 live from the show floor at Ceramics Expo in Cleveland. Joe Simon, VP Finance, represented SI and Ryan Routhe, QA/Materials Engineer, Global Sourcing represented Libbey at the awards ceremony. Ryan commented that SI helps Libbey to deliver great products to our customers….they are our feet and eyes and ears in the factories and take projects from beginning to end…just a great asset. Joe thanked Libbey and Ceramic Industry on behalf of Source International for the award and gave special accolades to the SI team in Asia which are the “boots on the ground” and that helps Libbey deliver quality products, on time using the proprietary database operating system (SIS) where customers can monitor the status of its products in real time 24/7.
To view a video of the presentation, please follow this link:
For more information on Source International and the supply management services offerings please contact us to speak with one of our Operations Executives.
LIBBEY HONORS SOURCE INTERNATIONAL WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Libbey (LBY) the No. 1 glassware company in the Americas and one of the largest tableware suppliers in the world honored Source International with their Distinguished Service Award on February 11, 2018 in Xiamen, China. Mike Bunge, Director of Global Resources presented the award saying “This is a special year for Source and Libbey as we celebrate 10 years of working together to establish the best supply chain in the industry. During this time, our business has expanded three fold and we now serve the entire world. It’s with pride that Libbey honors Source International with our DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD in recognition of their efforts.”
The award ceremony capped off an exciting year of achievements for both companies and was followed by an evening of great food and entertainment at the Weston Hotel in Xiamen, China where Source International held its 19th annual banquet in the Grand Ballroom to welcome in the Year of The Dog. The Libbey DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD is an incredibly beautiful and artfully hand crafted glass sculpture by a noted Texas artist and will be proudly displayed in the offices of Source International for all to see!
Libbey honors Source and the Source-Libbey Team for its ability to meet the challenging demands of Libbey in a constantly changing global environment as well as being able to cater to their requirements in quality, cost, lead time, on time delivery and overall supply management.
To kick off the evening, Jeff Carey, VP Operations and Bob Su, General Manager Asia welcomed all the suppliers, customers, family members and honored guests to the event in their opening remarks.
Following the welcome address and opening remarks, the Westin Xiamen served up a fantastic 10 course meal and the evening’s entertainment consisted of original performances conceived and choreographed by the Source staff. As the evening unfolded, the many talents of the Source associates became evident as everyone enjoyed the fabulous food, fun, and companionship. The event family fun event was attended by over 200 people including 30 children of Source associates. Supplier awards, a traditional lucky draw, and games added to the fun and videos from key customers including an inspiring video from William Foley, CEO of Libbey were greatly appreciated.
All the Source International family gathered for a group photo at the end of the evening.
ABOUT LIBBEY
Libbey (LBY) was established in 1818 and has grown to be the No. 1 glassware company in the Americas and one of the largest tableware suppliers in the world with annual sales in excess of $782 million. In addition to its namesake brand, Libbey’s global brand portfolio also includes: Crisa & Royal Leerdam.
Already a perennial leader in glass tableware, Libbey is setting a new tabletop industry standard for stability, strength and opportunity.
With more than 1 billion glasses sold annually, Libbey is the No. 1 glass tableware company in Americas and ranks No. 2 globally.
Libbey’s legacy of innovation and industry leadership goes all the way back to the New England Glass Company and is highlighted by the revolutionary impact of Edward Drummond Libbey and his business partner Michael Owens, the inventor of modern glassmaking
Libbey operates manufacturing plants in five countries – the U.S., Mexico, China, Portugal and the Netherlands – with sales in over 100 countries and is building on strengths while looking for new strategic opportunities and investments like the proprietary OPTIMELT technology.
Libbey is committed to going beyond glassware by developing innovative new tableware products that inspire life’s moments when people come together to eat, drink and celebrate by creating some of the most significant and on-trend tabletop and entertainment introductions anywhere in the world. Check out the testimonials of Libbey employees around the world.
Source International has proudly served Libbey since 2008 managing the supply of its extensive line of high-quality tableware and home decor items produced in Asia. The fact that Libbey honors Source International with its Distinguished Service award gives us renewed energy and excitement to take offshore supply chain management to new levels! Contact us today for more information.
The Source International 2016 Summer Party was held on July 22, 2016 at GuanYin Shan Beach in beautiful Xiamen, China. The party was held in order to show appreciation for all Xiamen employee’s hard work so far in 2016. Through the diligent efforts of everyone in the Source International Xiamen office, we have been able to continue to provide clients with exceptional service, cost savings, and total supply chain management solutions.
The party featured all-you-can-eat BBQ and lots of toasting to an even more successful second half of 2016 and beyond. A game of tug-of-war was played between various teams comprised of employees across departments and much fun was had.
Selected pictures from the event are posted below:
Libbey (LBY), the No. 1 glassware company in the Americas and one of the largest tableware suppliers in the world, designs, produces, and markets an extensive line of high-quality tableware including glassware, ceramic dinnerware, metal flatware, hollowware, serveware and home decor items in over 100 countries for the foodservice, retail, and B2B markets.
Libbey believes that every occasion is an opportunity to celebrate life and own the moment. At Libbey, we want to be part of the celebration, so we’re creating some of the most significant and on-trend tableware innovations to make your favorite moments matter.
Today Libbey celebrates the award of its coveted Vendor of the Year Award for 2014 to Source International, its manufacturing supply management partner in Asia.
According to the Libbey 2014 Annual Report, its CEO, Stephanie A. Streeter reported that 2014 was a very successful year for Libbey which achieved the highest level of sales in company history and the new Own the Moment strategy that puts Libbey on a path toward becoming a $1 billion company by the end of 2018. In 2014, Libbey had record sales of $852.5 million, a 4.1 percent increase over 2013 with the U.S. Sourcing sales increasing 3.2 percent by leveraging strengths in the foodservice channel to sell sourced ceramic dinnerware, metal tableware, hollowware and serveware
Source International of Louisville, Kentucky and Xiamen, China, a global supplier of total supply chain solutions has received the 2011 Outstanding Supplier Award from Libbey, Inc. (NYSE: LBY) leading producer of glass tableware products in the Western Hemisphere. This is the second successive year that Source International has won this prestigious award.
Source International was recognized for its ability to meet the challenging demands of Libbey in a constantly changing global environment as well as being able to cater to their requirements in quality, cost, lead time, on time delivery and supply management.
“We are proud to provide our supply chain solutions to Libbey’s sourced goods,” said Don Salyers, General Manager for Source International, China. “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for the second year running and look forward to furthering our partnership as we develop and make more values for them.”
The American Purchasing Society has selected Source International of Louisville, Kentucky and Xiamen, China as a recipient of their 2009 Excellent Supplier Award. Source International is a supply management agent in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, and Thailand. The company was nominated by Michael Bunge, CPP, CPPM, Corporate Supply Chain Manager for Libbey, Inc.
About The Excellent Supplier Award
The Excellent Supplier Award is an annual award by the American Purchasing Society based on nominations from its members of suppliers who they feel give outstanding performance in meeting schedules, producing products and services that meet specifications, and providing competitive costs as an incentive to others for continuous improvement. For more information on this prestigious award see the APS blog at: https://www.american-purchasing.com/blog.php
The American Purchasing Society is an organization of buyers, purchasing managers, executives, and others interested in the purchasing profession founded in 1969 and with members from every state and 28 countries worldwide. The American Purchasing Society’s educational objectives are achieved through training programs and our own educational publications of interest to business and the purchasing community.
Libbey, Inc. has selected Source International of Louisville, Kentucky and Xiamen, China as a recipient of their 2010 Outstanding Supplier Award. Source International is Libbey’s supply management agent in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao,Thailand and Bangladesh. The award was presented by Michael Bunge, CPP, CPPM, Manager of Global Sourcing for Libbey, Inc. to Don Salyers, Director Of Operations for Source International at the Source International annual banquet in Xiamen, China. In presenting the award, Mr. Bunge praised the strong efforts of the members of the Source International Libbey Team in China which helped contribute to the strong growth of the Libbey procurement efforts in China.
