Speed Meets Strategy: Supplier Consolidation Powered by Digital Factories
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, supplier selection must shift from reactive quoting to proactive, data-driven decision-making. This presentation explores how digital factory frameworks transform supply base rationalization by aligning parts with strategic suppliers based on Category fit, manufacturing Capabilities, available Capacity, and pre-negotiated financial parameters (Cost) —including labor, overhead, SG&A, and profit margins. By leveraging this intelligence upfront, businesses eliminate the traditional 3–4 quote shuffle, streamlining the path to optimal supplier matches with dramatically improved speed and precision.
Chris Platz is the Global Head of Cost Engineering and leads the Should Cost Modeling and Digital Transformation effort at Woodward. He has over 25 years of supply chain experience with Intel, Honeywell Aerospace, and Woodward. Chris has driven cost understanding methodologies across multiple companies and has a deep passion for data-driven cost understanding/negotiations. Chris holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and an MBA from Keller Graduate School. And, Chris is on the board of directors for the Society of Product Cost Engineering & Analytics.