We formed Arrow Machine & Fabrication Group in 2023, just as the global supply chain started moving forward again after the pandemic severely tested its resiliency. Although there had been many threats to the supply chain before, such as changing economic conditions, military conflicts, political instability, and other volatile situations, the pandemic truly exposed how vulnerable our industry’s methods of moving goods around the world truly were.
Our unique business model of creating the world’s largest metalworking and assembly network, with over 12 production facilities across three countries, ensures our customers have access to an unprecedented level of machine and fabrication services unmatched by any other company. However, our structure also helps our customers’ projects move forward during uncertain times that can affect the global supply chain.
Consolidated Services To Protect Against Market Fluctuations
Our roots in metalworking go all the way to 1923, and, as you know, the market has seen its share of crashes and booms since then. Our forefathers understood that adaptability is one of the cornerstones of any company’s success, and we apply their tried-and-true wisdom to the strategies we employ today.
Modern market fluctuations are often triggered by the same things that have caused them for centuries. However, today’s technology and globalization structures have made responding to events that trigger price volatility in raw materials and labour easier.
At Arrow, we mitigate the risk of challenging times affecting our industry by consolidating all aspects of the metal manufacturing process under one brand. This reduces the number of external stakeholders to just 1, helping to ensure seamless process execution as everything – from design and fabrication to finishing and assembly – is completed in-house.
In business, the shortest chains with the fewest links are often the strongest. Our model ensures agility when external forces threaten the supply chain and keeps your projects moving forward efficiently.
Innovative Hiring Practices To Sustain Productivity
When someone mentions the supply chain, the first images that often come to mind are transportation modes such as 18-wheel trucks and ships with piles of containers on deck.
However, a critical part of the metalworking supply chain is the people who design, fabricate, and assemble products. In the event of a labour shortage, projects can potentially slow down.
This is an especially critical time for hiring and retaining lifelong metalworkers as the older generation retires and we try to attract Generation Z into the workforce. However, their needs differ significantly from those of Baby Boomers or Generation X workers.
Gen Z isn’t content with having what they may consider a background role in a company’s operations, but rather prefers to have an active role in its direction.
At Arrow, we hire young people with the vision of turning them into future leaders. We offer skills development and career advancement opportunities that help them shape the future of our industry.
These young workers are also the first to live entirely in the digital age. As such, they’re much more comfortable with technology than previous generations and are attracted to positions working alongside robots/cobots, operating high-tech CNC machinery, and designing products using CAD software – all among the tech advancements we continue to invest in at Arrow.
Our industry’s sustainability lies in the youth, who will contribute to the resiliency of the supply chain with innovative perspectives that will attract and keep them in metalworking.
Read More: Attracting And Retaining The Next Generation Of Metalworkers
Solving Material Supply And Demand Issues
Market changes can happen for any reason, and when they do, there may be a sudden demand for raw materials. For example, an unexpected run on copper may trigger a temporary shortage, stopping production until refreshed supplies can be secured.
Arrow’s global footprint enables us to stay dynamic and easily scale or adjust based on our customers’ needs. Technology helps us use predictive analytics to create and analyze possible future scenarios, enabling us to formulate effective responses when needed and optimize our reaction time.
We also prioritize recycling and repurposing metal to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with sourcing and processing virgin materials. This practice also helps ensure that stock is always readily available.
Our proactive approach to supply management means our customers never have to worry about a surge in demand affecting their production scheduling, protecting our supply chains both today and long into the future.
Arrow Machine & Fabrication Group: Innovative Approaches To Protecting The Global Supply Chain
In an uncertain market, global OEMs need all the support they can get to ensure their products get to market on schedule. With Arrow’s one-stop approach to metal manufacturing, our focus is on your success, regardless of market conditions or supply chain challenges.
Feel free to reach out to an Arrow expert for more information on how partnering with us will make your business more profitable.