FOCUS Business & partnerships
Bob Clark, Managing Director, Cutting Tools, Machining & MCA at Rubix, discusses the importance of strategic supply chain partnerships in strengthening today’s manufacturing businesses
A
gainst a backdrop of rapidly evolving technology, shifting customer demands and heightened global competition,
realising efficiencies is key to manufacturing success. Strong and efficient supply chains can make a critical difference here, supporting businesses to optimise their operations, maximise uptime and even reduce costs. With the supply chain being vital to more efficient and more successful manufacturing operations, suppliers are increasingly being seen as partners. In sectors such as food and beverage, for example, where manufacturers are under increased pressure to maintain uptime and ensure compliance, supply partnerships demand more than the ability to simply supply critical components. Strategic supply partnerships must go above and beyond this basic function and provide insight and guidance for manufacturing businesses navigating today’s complex landscape. By connecting the dots through strategic supply partnerships, manufacturers can benefit from a connected supply chain, ensuring their supply needs are in perfect harmony with their manufacturing operations to enhance productivity, resilience and agility. It is no secret that digitalisation is transforming manufacturing, with smart technology, connected devices and data analytics equipping manufacturers with the tools to improve almost every aspect of their operations.
But, for many manufacturers, the world of digitalisation is daunting. Whether there’s a desire to adopt automation, benefit from condition monitoring services or consolidate the supply of spare parts, manufacturers require a helping hand. At Rubix, we see our role as a supply partner as being grounded in support. Alongside our range of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products, we are able to provide hands-on expertise to lay the foundations for innovation and support digital transformation. As every manufacturing operation is different, a personal level of support is critical to understanding the operational realities for each customer, ensuring that any recommendations are geared to their needs. Whether manufacturers are looking to
32 October 2025 | Automation
THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALIST PARTNERS
integrate greater levels of automation or even unlock the benefits of condition monitoring, supply partners are crucial to embedding the right solutions.
At the heart of most digital transformations lies smart and scalable automation which not only streamlines operations, but also underpins competitiveness. As part of this journey, traditional ways of working are evolving into connected and highly intelligent practices. In environments where smaller production batches are common, robotics and modular automation can build agility into everyday operations. At the other end of the scale, automation has an important role to play in maximising efficiencies and keeping production on track. With the right solutions in place, real- time data can be harnessed to equip those on the factory floor with practical insights into production. This data can also enhance transparency, delivering accurate traceability alongside compliance and quality – all critical considerations in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals.
The addition of condition monitoring services can even create efficiencies in the maintenance of the critical equipment which facilitates production. As well as maintaining optimum levels of production and minimising the potential for unplanned downtime, this can also extend the service life of key pieces of machinery, maximising investments for manufacturers. Expand this thinking beyond the factory floor and manufacturers can also benefit from more connected, more responsive and more
dependable supply chains. While traditional practices revolve around manual input, automated facilities unlock the potential for interconnectedness. Strategic partners can utilise this data to support manufacturing customers in streamlining their procurement processes, allowing them to keep replacement parts on hand both reliably and cost effectively.
When it comes to building strategic
relationships between manufacturers and suppliers, the foundation must originate in an ability to deliver. Here, having a broad range of MRO products available is essential, but so too is the desire to understand and support manufacturers to build for the future. With a deep understanding of customers’ operational set-ups and requirements, balanced with the challenges they face and ambitions they hold, supply partners can facilitate growth by easing the journey ahead. By taking a consultative approach with every customer, Rubix helps to identify the potential for transformation and provides the support and training to make it a reality – backed by reliable supply, an extensive mix of solutions and decades of expertise.
In the modern world of manufacturing, suppliers must add value every step of the way and, at Rubix, we’re proud to work with our customers to help them unlock innovation on the factory floor and realise the true potential of automation through their operations.
Rubix
www.rubix.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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