Our Material Organization's success begins with our veteran Procurement Team who possesses an average of 18 years of sourcing experience and relationship building. Our materials specialists procure by program as well as by material category and have established strategic alliances with our suppliers and distribution networks. Our VPA's, multi-year agreements, and EDI/MRP Share programs have proven to be key to our organizations' success. PRIMUS currently contracts more than 60% of all material purchases by the means of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). This number continues to grow and enables our organization's procurement team to focus on other critical paths, reduce inventory levels and gain an advantage concerning end-of-life and obsolescence issues.
Working side-by-side with our procurement team is the Front End Work Cell. This highly cross-trained group individuals staff PRIMUS' receiving, receiving inspection and stockroom areas and are responsible for identifying discrepant material as well as assuring that the customer's BOM and AVL are being followed.
PRIMUS believes that our success is highly dependent on the effectiveness of our supply chain. With PRIMUS' Supplier Quality Management System in place, a complete database is maintained for each supplier. Multi-functional production and salary team members convene regularly to review material and in-process quality issues. Our stringent inspection processes and databases assure our customers that we assess and monitor our valued vendor base.
Our experienced Production Control Team works closely with all areas of the Materials Organization. PRIMUS plans and adjusts schedules to meet our changing customer requirements. Pull-ins and push-outs are a daily occurrence. We maintain the flexibility to deal with our customers constantly changing demands. Our planners facilitate the front end work cell and are active in MRB and CCB (Material Review and Change Control Boards). Production Control works with Program Management and our customers to best define the system that will assure 100% on-time delivery. We encourage Kan Ban and safety stock programs and work closely with our customers to fine tune the system that will assure the programs success.
