Supply chain transparency is the key to continuous improvement at VDM Metals

Over the past few years, the global metals producer VDM Metals successfully made the challenging switch from reactive to proactive production planning. This has led to shorter lead times and a notable improvement in service, with much less inventory needed. It’s a remarkable achievement, especially in view of VDM’s very complex production network.

“Supply chain transparency has been the key to making the switch, forging the path to continuous improvement,” says Marcell Sehner, Senior Vice-President of Digital Transformation and Services.

VDM Metals is a global producer of high-performance alloys, including nickel, cobalt, and zirconium alloys. Markets include the chemical process industry, oil and gas, aerospace, electronics, automotive, and energy. Processes are extremely complex, involving numerous discrete production stages, deploying more than a hundred different alloys and producing relatively small, highly specific batches. The fact that some production stages are carried out by external partners makes planning even more complex.