Military Focuses on Supply Chain Risks as Pandemic Continues
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the armed services have been sharing more information as well as implementing the use of risk assessment tools to ensure security throughout their supply chains.
When this global pandemic began, our dependence on products from conflicting nations was evident throughout the U.S. supply chain. When the COVID-19 outbreak began, there was a lot of reluctance to trade as openly as we previously did. Many borders were completely closed off for trade, meaning some of our necessary supply lines were frozen. These supply lines were essential to sustaining production within the defense industry.
Katie Arrington, the chief information security officer in the office of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, responds “those of us who have understood the vulnerability within the supply chain, the pandemic only heightened it and made us aware of the amount of reliance we’ve had on our adversaries” to provide crucial materials and products within the supply chains.
The Pentagon is working to minimize its dependence on nations of concern by “positioning our supply chains and our capabilities in allied partners countries…that serve not just our defense needs, but our commercial needs as well,” Arrington added during the National Defense Industrial Association’s Special Operations/Low-intensity conflict conference.
Although risk assessment tools have already been utilized by the department to share information, they are still working with the defense industry to employ them as a means of further security within supply chains.
Arrington suggested technologies such as artificial intelligence could prove beneficial in helping the Pentagon detect and manage problems more efficiently, “We have to work on these tools and indicators and warnings, and having AI behind them to help us,” she said. She also suggests that the Defense Department start tracking items, to be purchased, early on to ensure security, Arrington said if the component is important to the Pentagon, “shouldn’t we be tracking it from the cradle, from inception and [watching] who has been touching it, who is influencing it, who is tweaking it?”
Action Electronics: Modern Solutions
For 30 years Action Electronics has been a reliable leading defense company supplier providing supply chain management and procurement services to the US Government for government equipment and materials.
Action is a fully certified and trusted best-in-class provider of leading-edge solutions for the defense industry. They can harness the power of innovative technology and draw on industry expertise to create modern solutions to keep your processes running seamlessly and effectively.
Action Electronics has the capabilities to manage Defense and Aerospace supply chains effectively while ensuring security at every level. Here’s how Action can be of help:
Reduce On-Hand Inventory
Action’s services can allow you to free-up space in your plant by warehousing consumable parts and packaging. It can then perform “just in time” delivery of these materials as they are needed or on a predetermined schedule.
Improve Efficiency
Action’s kitting solutions can consolidate parts into a kit and deliver it to a specific point in the production line. This allows assembly workers to focus on their more important production-related tasks.
Improve Cash Flow
Save time and money with Action’s enhanced logistic solutions. Action Electronics does not simply store your items and ship them based on production signals, in fact, they also offer vendor-managed inventory (VMI) solutions. They will procure the materials, store them, manage inventory, and invoice you only for the parts you need when you need them.
Quality Assurance
Upon the arrival of materials Action’s quality control team cross-reference order specifications and/or drawings to inspect each material and ensure it meets inventory compliance and quality standards every time.
Action ensures all OEM documentation including certificates of conformance is included with ordered materials upon arrival.
Support When You Need It
Action Electronics provide quality customer service by making a concerted effort to go above and beyond for their clients. Action understands communication is vital in making the supply chain operate as smoothly as possible. Clients can expect prompt responses to inquiries from a knowledgeable customer care team member within 24 hours, regardless of the date or time. contact us for more information