Taking a product from the developmental stage to actual production is a long arduous trip. Your organization has spent years completing the design work, the development, and the testing, so naturally, you’d like to handle the manufacturing. It can be difficult to give up control of something to which so many people have devoted a significant amount of time and energy to. But given all that’s on the line you need to perform an honest evaluation of whether or not you have the expertise and skill set to manufacture the product without defect while remaining competitive over the course of the product’s lifecycle.
This leads to a couple of key questions.
Does your organization have the capability to manufacture the product in-house?
Would your company be better off outsourcing the production to a contract manufacturer that has a better understanding of the technology used in the device?
At this juncture, the proper decision could lead to the success or failure of the new technology, so it’s critical to have a solid formula for making this evaluation. Assessing the core competencies of your manufacturing organization is the initial step in the process. A webinar conducted by Sparton: A Model for Performing a Make or Buy Decisionaddressed the key considerations for making this determination.
One of the key points the webinar discusses is how to conduct a sincere appraisal of an organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses.
This can be accomplished by asking the following questions:
Is the manufacturing talent in place?
What are the strengths of that talent?
Are there any skills gaps that need to be filled?
What are the costs associated with acquiring those skills?
Is there any training that needs to be conducted?
Does the organization have the supply chain capabilities?
Is the company able to handle the logistical requirements?
Is the infrastructure in place to handle any repairs?
Are the manufacturing processes lean enough to keep the costs reasonable?
Can the organization manufacture the product competitively through the course of the product lifecycle?
Is there enough internal regulatory knowledge to execute the project?
Doing some soul-searching and making a truthful assessment in answering the above questions is the first step in determining if your organization is the best option for manufacturing the product.
Do you use the same set of questions in making your own evaluations? Do you have any others you think should be added? What roadblocks do you face in making sure your answers are unbiased? Please share them in the comments section below.
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Sparton’s Bill Toti Retires; Tracy Howard Tapped as Company’s Next President & CEO
DE LEON SPRINGS, FLORIDA – DEC. 9, 2021 – Sparton President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Toti has retired after leading the company for three years, including through the company’s transition to Elbit Systems of America during 2021.
Tracy Howard is Sparton’s new President & CEO effective Dec. 8, 2021. Mr. Howard joins Sparton following his leadership of Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business as Senior Vice President and General Manager since 2020.
“We congratulate Bill on his retirement, and thank him for his commitment to help ensure Tracy enjoys a seamless transition into his new position,” said Raanan Horowitz, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America. “Under Bill’s strong leadership, Sparton has achieved great things, and is poised for an exciting future of growth, as the leading provider of undersea warfare solutions.”
Mr. Howard is a retired United States Navy Submarine Officer, with more than 30 years of military and defense industry experience. Prior to Leonardo DRS, Mr. Howard held multiple senior leadership roles at L3 Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems business areas.
A 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mr. Howard is also the former Commanding Officer of nuclear-powered attack submarine USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716), and former Commodore of Submarine Squadron SIXTEEN, where he commanded all of the U.S. Navy’s East Coast guided missile and ballistic missile submarines. His other military assignments included: serving as the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Director of Submarine Tactical Systems Integration and Future Capabilities for the Undersea Warfare Systems Directorate (N97); Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division Chief for the Joint Staff; and Homeland and National Security Advisor to the Vice President.
“Tracy has deep roots in Sparton’s customer community, and he brings a proven record of success, leading high-performing teams and achieving high-growth goals in the technology field,” said Ken Krieg, Sparton Chairman of the Board. “We are honored to have Tracy join the Elbit America team, and excited about what Sparton will accomplish under his leadership.”
With more than a 120-year history and decades of defense experience spanning from World War I, Sparton has become the partner of choice for domestic and international defense applications. As a pure-play defense supplier, Sparton focuses exclusively on providing best-in-class, innovative solutions and executing on strategic opportunities to build upon its market leadership. Read More
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Taking a product from the developmental stage to actual production is a long arduous trip. Your organization has spent years completing the design work, the… Read More
