SOURCING

Atec’s strong procurement capabilities are the result of our rigorous sourcing strategies and commitment to using high quality materials. Our success depends on our ability to effectively evaluate the quality, reliability, and logistical requirements of manufacturers and fabricators. We have built long-term relationships with vetted and monitored suppliers to ensure compliance with our high standards, and certification documents are obtained and provided for inspection, copying and retention by our customers.

An important component in our evaluation of suppliers is our corporate commitment to working with small businesses whenever possible. Atec has always incorporated a diverse array of vendors and suppliers into its processes, to the benefit of our customers and the quality of the products and systems we build for them. We are proud to be advocates for small business and small disadvantaged businesses in the aerospace and industrial sectors.

Atec, Inc. has an active Supplier Management Program that coordinates with Quality, Purchasing, and other departments. We utilize Commodity Management Planning and adhere to best practices developed over decades when procuring raw stock for fabrication and machine shop activities. We are adept at examining potential sources within the procurement arena and executing the most effective means of acquiring quality items. Atec buyers collaborate with our shipping specialists to coordinate the timely travel of materials, including items in need of expedited delivery for the preservation of schedules.

In addition to finding the necessary materials for a job, our buyers understand the value of finding materials or fabrication in strategic locations to benefit our customers and projects. While our buyers do not sacrifice the quality of sourced materials in the interest of minor savings, we do develop alternative ways to save our customers money whenever possible. We present options that include high-quality used, refurbished or surplus parts when available and acceptable.

For customers in need of unique or uncommon specialty items ranging from exotic alloys to scarce electronics, to test cell accessories, our procurement specialists have the experience and skill to locate likely sources and negotiate reasonable terms. Our 71 years of worldwide experience brings a valuable network of sources to our customers’ needs. For obsolete or hard to find items, our SARs CSI and CAI approval to manufacture and repair critical, out of manufacture items offers our customers another important sourcing option.

Atec, Inc.’s Purchasing Department issues purchase orders only to Atec approved suppliers or vendors specified by our customer. Printed purchase orders are reviewed by a Vice President and sent to the Quality Assurance Department to ensure proper quality requirements have been included. We utilize Purchase Orders as a means to ensure accountability, repeatability, and traceability for items in the field. Atec Buyers review terms and conditions regularly and are able to purchase and quickly identify the best price and terms by checking archived supplier quotes, purchase history, from Atec's, Celtech's, Hager's and Vital Link's combined 160 years of operating records, and using competitive bidding practices.

Atec, Celtech and Hager utilize a reliable ERP system, Global Shop, to generate purchase orders, which allows for self-regulation and open communication across various integral departments (Accounting, Contracts, etc.). Our highly efficient ERP software not only enhances our inventory control, but it also streamlines our purchasing capabilities and inventory management. Global Shop also tracks performance for our Supplier Management Program and SB/SDB status for our Small Business Subcontracting Program.

The monitoring of all open requirements is accomplished through various reports from  our ERP system:

• Open purchase order report by due date
• Open purchasing outside services report
• Open purchasing report by buyer
• PO purchasing only expedite WIP open items by job
• Purchase order by warehouse by supplier;
• Purchasing history report by item number
• Purchasing WIP

Atec’s Supplier Management Program is a reflection of the way we operate as a corporation. We prioritize fairness with our suppliers and strive to cultivate long-term relationships rooted in shared value, mutual success, and teamwork. Our supplier program is modeled on those of our aerospace and energy prime customers, and it emphasizes Atec’s technical capability, procurement experience, quality system, and inspection expertise.

Personnel in Quality, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Inspection, Stores and Engineering all participate in the supplier management program to ensure our projects stay on schedule and compliant. Our Atec team offers suppliers a wide array of assistance, including contracting terms, technical troubleshooting, mentoring, and frequent communication. When complications do arise with suppliers, Atec works with them to coordinate remedial efforts, perform root cause analysis, and implement future risk mitigation.  We are proud to have a decades-long reputation for timely payments and long-standing supplier relationships.

Atec is committed to maintaining healthy diversity within our supplier group. Small business is the backbone of the American economy, and it is our pleasure to support and encourage participation from a wide array of independent operators in our industry. Quarterly we review the statistics of all purchasing to ensure small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and similar entities are adequately represented. Our small business subcontractor program has been hugely successful.

• Timely Put
• SDBs/SBs
• Survey + Qualif.
• Rating
• Statistics
• Assistance
  
  • Mfg Risks ID
  • Mfg Aids
  • Visits/Planning
  • Inspections
    
    • Onsite
    • Receiving
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Material Certs
  • NDI/Testing
  • Documentation
  • NDAs/NCs
  • Ts + C