Panels Market Procurement Intelligence Report

Several macro changes in the dynamics of overall Engineering Components as well as Panels procurement trends are poised to change the business practices and procurement thumb rules. Several structural changes including M&As and vertical integration efforts of suppliers are characterizing the broader market. Such strategic developments can erode the strength of previously established supplier relationships due to changed realities in the supplier's ecosystem. At the same time, buyers may also find opportunities to onboard new suppliers with a wider range of offerings or better contract terms for .

Technology is improving productivity and creating fresh demand. Convergence of data science, automation tools, 3D printing, robotics, AI and big data has opened up multiple possibilities to better serve customers at a lower operational cost.

Markets across the globe are reeling under shortage of professionals and workforce that have relevant skills and training. Minimum wages and stringent regulations are compelling suppliers to increase their employee expenses which are expected to have an inflationary impact on buyers' procurement cost.

Category managers need to take note of the potential of these developments and reassess the changes required in their procurement practices.

It has become imperative for category managers to remain as agile as possible in terms of their procurement practices. However, it is not always easy to quickly spot and implement alternative practices in a category like Panels. To help quick decision making, this report advises on several procurement best practices that have worked well for category managers.

For example, Buyers should engage with suppliers that have recycling capability. Recycling capability of the suppliers will lower their production costs which will be passed on to buyers. Additionally, the recycling capability will contribute in furthering the sustainability goals of the buyers' organization.

Buyers should engage with suppliers that have adopted a global delivery model as it reduces buyers' risk. In this model, any disaster/emergency at any operating facility of supplier will result in the work being transferred to a different facility, thereby ensuring continuity of the project and reduced risk for buyers. This model also provides buyers access to skilled labor from across the globe, thereby improving the quality of engineering products provided by the supplier.

Competitive bidding as a cost optimization tool is extremely potent but should be carefully deployed only when there is no significant differentiation among Panels suppliers.

Panels procurement managers also need to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks that can arise in the supply chain or contracts for Panels procurement. Some examples include: