INTERCONNECTION
sometimes even days, managing orders and coordinating with several suppliers, especially when faced with late deliveries. This was a significant drain on our resources and focus.”
The perfect partnership During an initial assessment, PEI-Genesis analysed THT’s product design and familiarised itself with its unique requirements. These requirements not only included rugged connectors with IP67 ratings, but specific connector designs. For example, the mounted control modules require connectors with larger pins in the middle to transmit power and then smaller pins around the outside for data transferring. PEI-Genesis offered a comprehensive and cost-effective solution addressing THT’s unique needs. For the mounted control modules, PEI-Genesis recommended PT connectors, which are widely used in various sectors, including military, aerospace and industrial applications. They conform to the MIL-DTL-26482 specification, ensuring their suitability for harsh and demanding environments. These connectors also boast an IP67 rating, ensuring they could endure harsh weather conditions and frequent washdowns, a common occurrence in farming operations.
connectors, and even parts of the connectors themselves, had to be sourced from different vendors and then assembled. This was time-consuming and complex to manage. Juggling orders with multiple suppliers could take a considerable amount of time, with administrative and procurement calls regularly taking hours at a time, especially when dealing with late deliveries. Budgets were also difficult to calculate because different vendors’ prices might fluctuate at different times and rates.
With THT being a relatively small company, it didn’t have the capacity to stock large quantities of components, making the need to re-order stock from multiple vendors even more challenging.
“A big challenge for us was efficiently sourcing the various connector components needed for our agricultural machinery,” said Timothy. “Dealing with multiple suppliers was not only time-consuming, but also added layers of complexity to our procurement process. It wasn’t uncommon for us to spend hours,
For the cameras, THT opted for the Ecomate connectors. These have a plastic casing, making them cheaper than a metal alternative while still satisfying the IP rating requirements and durability. The plastic material resists rusting and degradation, a significant advantage given the harsh farming environments where the equipment is used. This choice reflects THT’s focus on durability and reliability in its product design. “It is crucial for us to really get to know a customer’s needs,” explained Daniel Cross, UK and Ireland country sales manager at PEI-Genesis. “It’s not enough for us to just know our clients’ industry, but we need to know the environments their equipment is used in and the kinds of challenges they face, so we know exactly what they’ll need to get the job done. That’s what being a trusted advisor is about.” PEI-Genesis did not only provide products; a key selling point for THT was its ability to provide all the necessary connector components from a single source. It did this by consolidating various connector components, like heat shrink boots, cable ties and the connectors into a single kit, tailored to THT’s specific needs. With PEI-Genesis’s kitting service, THT could place orders under one part number, simplifying the ordering process. “Kitting is a great help when it comes to supplying subcontractors; each kit comes with multiples of 50 for each component and connector, which saves us a lot of time and
effort,” explained Timothy Hales, applications engineer at Tillett and Hague Technology. THT could also place scheduled orders with PEI-Genesis by providing a forecast of its usage every 12 months. This allowed PEI-Genesis to hold stock for THT, ensuring there were no late deliveries and further streamlined the supply chain. “PEI-Genesis helped by holding large amounts of stock over a long period of time, allowing us to order as and when we require it,” continued Hales.
The partnership with PEI-Genesis marked a significant turning point for THT. With a streamlined procurement process, THT could now allocate more resources toward product development and innovation. The ease of ordering and assembling kits provided by PEI-Genesis also helped THT to scale its production capabilities from 100 to 1,000 units annually.
Another crucial impact of this partnership was the significant time savings for THT. Previously, coordinating orders with multiple suppliers could take over an hour, and sometimes days if dealing with late deliveries. With PEI-Genesis’s service, this process was reduced to approximately 10 minutes per order. This efficiency translated into saving around three days’ worth of work every five months for Hales, allowing him to focus on other tasks.
THT benefited from cost savings due to the quantity discounts offered by PEI-Genesis. By consolidating its orders with PEI-Genesis, it avoided the higher costs it would have incurred by going through different vendors for each connector. This approach helped THT maintain stable pricing levels, despite general market inflation, allowing the company to offer competitive prices to its customers . The consolidation of vendors also simplified THT’s expense tracking process, allowing it to manage its expenses more efficiently by working solely with PEI-Genesis. Additionally, this partnership significantly reduced shipping costs.
“Our relationship with PEI-Genesis has always been positive,” concluded Hales. “Their prompt and competent response to our requests is graciously received. Early on, when the kitting process was new, we had additional requirements and alterations to make; this was a smooth process with minimal delay to the scheduling and PEI-Genesis’ regular updating was great. We are currently working on a new project together, with a new power and communication connector that PEI is now looking for an appropriate connector to suit our needs.”
JULY/AUGUST | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 27
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