In today's competitive manufacturing environment, product and process information is often a closely guarded secret. Logic seems to dictate that companies that are more enigmatic about their operations have a better chance of gaining a competitive edge. However, the opposite is actually true. Working closely with your suppliers can help you optimize your products - and your profitability.
Too often, material producers don't know where their products go or how they are being used. Finishing professionals get little direction from producers and are on their own when it comes to product utilization. According to Lauria, in the ideal relationship, information flows across boundaries as the lifeblood of the multi-enterprise, allowing all parties to benefit from increased transparency and aligned metrics. With multi-enterprise accountability, value is optimized along the entire supply chain.