Successful leaders responsible for operations in Manufacturing have defined and effective strategy for managing unplanned events; 'unplanned' must be anticipated. As Operations Manager of a Fortune 100 Tier 1 Assembly Plant, I saw a gap in the marketplace between the resources available, internally and externally, and the solutions I needed without over taxing my staff, failing to maintain Corporate Metrics, creating another stressor, being seen as a failure by my boss, my phone ringing of the hook from customers, or writing an open ended check to a third party.
My entrepreneurial drive for innovation and continuous improvement created a closed-loop communication chain within my vendor base that utilized a protocol I could trust and a team of industry trained professionals that I could call only when needed. I have now perfected and multiplied that system and I have made it available to a select group of Manufacturers through blu perspective's skilled service teams and proprietary certified systems.
Most Managers make a critical mistake by looking only at components of the problem and using fractured service providers or a mix of internal and external resources and they try to manage the events themselves. What I understand today is that they need to look at their process for unplanned events as they look at generators for their power back up plan. If they are only looking at the piece price or rates; they are missing the opportunity to be truly prepared for these events. You must have an effective and prepared solution ahead of time.
I recommend you do a thorough assessment of your readiness and prepare a closed loop communication system between customer locations, containment locations, in transit material and your internal corrective action teams. I would be pleased to assist you in creating an ideal solution ahead of the overwhelming hassles which are certain to come. I believe you can plan for these events effectively and manage them with grace.