"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller
Partnership. A word, some might say is a cliché in business. We all strive to be the ‘perfect’ partner for our customers and suppliers alike. Common values, shared success, loyalty… all breeds from partnership. But what does it really take to build a long-term strategic partnership that truly delivers on the goals of both supplier and customer? And what does the journey look like?
This week as we sign a 12-year manufacturing contract with long standing customer Honeywell Aerospace, we reflect on the incredible customer partnerships we are proud to have cultivated across TT. Many are decades in the making! How amazing is that?!
As an electronics manufacturer, customers choose TT first and foremost for our awesome products and engineering expertise, but where we really stand apart and add value for our customers, is in the role that we play in helping them succeed. In navigating a complicated supply chain. In getting their technologies to market faster than the competition. In being a partner they can rely on during those ‘black swan’ events that we all know too well.
I can’t give away our ‘secret sauce’, but I will share 5 key ingredients that shape long-term partnerships at TT and ultimately, help to advance our customer’s strategy:
1. Collaboration, at every step
By collaborating at every stage of the product life cycle and as early as the design phase we can ensure that the product is designed right first-time for manufacture, for test, for supply chain, for cost! We work with our customers to provide value-added engineering solutions that minimise quality issues and ultimately bring speed to market.
Our latest contract with Honeywell Aerospace was six years in the making and driven by cohesive collaboration right from the beginning between our teams from design to engineering to procurement, operations, commercial, legal, marketing, c-suite… they say it takes a village to raise a child, well this same notion applies to the strongest partnerships. From the very first discussion at our Cleveland Ohio facility, we were in it for the long run.
We embed in our customer’s journey. We collaborate as an extension of their team. Their vision is our vision.
2. Deep Industry Knowledge
Understanding our customer’s market is critical. Especially in regulated markets like aerospace, defense, and healthcare. Working with a partner who understands the complexities of the market. Who understands the regulatory compliance. Who knows what it takes to get a product FDA-approved. Who knows what’s at stake when you’re bringing a next generation defense product to market.
Beyond the tangible products and services we provide, it’s our people and talent in TT that bring invaluable industry knowledge. We proactively hire and acquire in recognition of this. Since 2019 we have acquired three specialist A&D electronics businesses, bolstering our talent pool in this sector significantly.
3. Supply Chain Resilience
If the recent supply chain crisis has taught us anything, it’s that resilience and agility really is key to keeping our customer’s production on-track.
Recently, we received a prestigious supplier excellence award from long-standing customer Applied Materials Inc. for Best In Class Performance.
To quote Dr. Paul Chhabra, Corporate Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Applied Materials: “Having strategic relationships throughout the supply chain is more important than ever, and we thank our suppliers for their strong support and collaboration.”
Back to point 1, Collaboration. It’s about proactively working with our customers when challenges arise. Supporting with redesigns, adjusted schedules and really thinking outside of the box when it comes to finding that ‘golden screw’ and mitigating risk in the supply chain. We have some fantastic, proprietary tools in TT that frankly, work magic for our customers. Software and AI that sources components in minutes when traditional systems can take days!
Supply chain resilience is critical, even more so when our customers come to us with innovative and disruptive technologies. Being first to market is everything!
4. A Right-Fit Footprint
It goes without saying that a successful partnership comes with having the right manufacturing or engineering locations for the customer and their end market.
At TT, one of our key differentiators is not just that we have 26 locations globally but that we can seamlessly transfer production between our manufacturing facilities. So, whether its building regionalized supply chains to meet local demand, managing new product introductions, or transferring production to a lower-cost region as demand ramps up, we are strategically located where our customers need us.
We really take time to listen to our customers. We hear them. And we have invested in facilities and locations that drive their journey forward. But we’re not done yet - more on that to come soon!
5. Passionate People
I mentioned talent and deep industry experience, but that is just one element. The passion our people bring to our customer partnerships is second to none. A drive to really get behind our customer’s goals. A hunger to learn. A desire to thrive. A real dedication to customer service excellence.
Our strategic partnerships are underpinned by the amazing pool of talent we have in TT. From the next wave of engineering graduates growing their skills in power electronics to the operations manager with over 40 years’ experience running a complex electronics manufacturing facility. This is a people business – and we really do have the best in the business!
So, as we continue to develop exciting new partnerships and nurture existing relationships for decades more, stay tuned to catch our next announcement. We’re just getting started.
Come Join us?
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You can check out all of the latest career opportunities available here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/TTElectronics