In the supply chain management world, one of the highest costs in manufacturing processes comes from the upfitting process. For many companies, upfits are necessary, but they can take weeks to complete and add thousands of dollars to your bottom line whenever you need to make changes to your equipment.
Here are four ways you can streamline this expensive process to become more affordable and less disruptive to your business.
With the help of a team of skilled professionals, cutting down lead time on upfit is easy.
A truck isn't just a big purchase; it's an investment. The upfit cost of your truck is one of the most expensive components.
To limit costs and make the best decision for your upfit needs, follow these four steps:
How many upfit per day do you need? It takes time to remove an old upfit and put in a new one. If you are using rental trucks or have large fluctuations in usage from week to week, think about how many average upfits you will be doing per day when buying your new truck.
Ask around and see what other companies with similar numbers of upfits per day have purchased. There is no sense in spending the same amount as everyone else if you only need half of their capacity. You may also find that renting would work better for your company because it minimizes capital expenditure on something you don't use very often.
When shopping for a truck, look at trucks at different price points. For example, while they might not be as flashy as newer models, they may offer comparable durability at half the price point which could save money in maintenance costs over time. Make sure to research fuel efficiency and engine power before making a final decision.
After you've found the right model for your business, keep in mind how long you plan on keeping this truck. Is this going to be your fleet vehicle or are you renting? Again, ask others who have gone through this process before and talk with experts who can help guide you through this process!
Do-it-yourself (DIY) upfit solutions offer a cheaper, less labor-intensive alternative to having contractors come in and do the work.
The list below outlines how you can utilize some DIY projects or with an outside contractor
We recently had a customer ask us how they could cut the lead time on upfit projects. We can't take credit for the question, but we are happy it was asked because we have some ideas! From our experience, there are four ways companies like ours can reduce the time needed for upfit projects:
-Started designing and engineering the project with ease of assembly. This includes using similar or matching fasteners and hardware. When designing, draw up an assembly plan for yourself as well. Use CAD drawings and 3D models for this if you have them. If you don't use CAD, sketch your design with rough dimensions to see how it will all come together before the first piece is cut. Once the design is finished, make a model of each piece or part to make sure it fits together well before you cut any steel.
Regarding manufacturing and distribution, there are two primary types of parts: close-tolerance and non-close-tolerance. Due to the difference in tolerance, close-tolerance parts are more complex and costly to produce. As a result, these should be produced first when starting an upfit.
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