Amidst a global semiconductor crisis and unfolding global events, i-PRO has remarkably maintained a seamless supply chain. Based in Amsterdam, Elwin Bolink, i-PRO’s EMEA Supply Chain Manager, is the mastermind behind this feat and shares the innovative strategies and partnerships that have kept i-PRO ahead in the competitive security technology industry.
Coming from the automotive industry, Bolink joined i-PRO three years ago, when it had just formed after separating from Panasonic. His insights on managing the supply chain reveal a sophisticated blend of technology, strategy, and resilience, enabling i-PRO to navigate challenges with remarkable agility.
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges
When asked about supply chain disruptions over the past three years, Bolink’s response is notably positive. “In all fairness, we didn’t have many disruptions, not really,” he says.
Despite the global semiconductor crisis and various global political events, i-PRO has maintained a relatively smooth operation. This achievement is remarkable, given the widespread disruptions many companies face. Bolink is not saying that the company is immune from difficulties and some delays, but he credits the supply chain’s smooth operations to i-PRO’s robust partnerships with global third-party logistics (3PL) providers and strong coordination with manufacturing and quality teams.
While acknowledging the impact of global logistics challenges, Bolink emphasises that these have been managed so well that customers rarely notice any issues. This seamless experience highlights the resilience and foresight built into i-PRO’s supply chain and stems from the Japanese culture of risk-aversion and preparedness for all eventualities, which sets i-PRO apart from other players in the market. Whilst it is not uncommon to await product delivery for more than 6 months, i-PRO was able to maintain a stable supply chain throughout the past 3 years (since its inception) and complete deliveries across EMEA within 2-4 working weeks.
“Visibility plus velocity reduces variability,” he explains, underscoring how this visibility allows for rapid response to any disruptions. “Practically, for supply chain, this means we have near to real-time visibility on demand forecasts, order books, inventories, lead times, and logistics. This allows us to act and respond quickly to any disruptions.”
Strategic partnerships with key component suppliers like Ambarella and global logistics partners have also been crucial. These partnerships enhance communication, coordination, flexibility, and agility – essential elements for quickly adapting to changing circumstances. Furthermore, the modular design of i-PRO‘s products simplifies the supply
chain, as components can be easily interchanged or upgraded without overhauling entire systems. The modular approach also allows i-PRO to bring innovation to our partners and customers quicker, so they always have the latest technology within reach.
Enhancing Relationships
Bolink reveals that i-PRO has established strategic long-term partnerships with their global logistics provider, who also acts as their ‘Logistics Lead Provider’. This approach ensures that any issues can be addressed swiftly with immediate improvements and permanent resolutions. For instance, during peak seasons, i-PRO diversifies the number of forwarders to mitigate capacity risks, ensuring a consistent flow of products. This strategic stability not only builds trust but also fortifies the supply chain against unforeseen disruptions.
Effective communication with customers is a cornerstone of i-PRO’s strategy. Bolink emphasises a human-first approach, ensuring customers can always reach a team member. In case of delays or issues, i-PRO takes responsibility and works towards a fair resolution, demonstrating its dedication to being a trusted partner in the security industry.
Leveraging Technology for Resilience
Technology plays a critical role in enhancing i-PRO’s supply chain resilience and efficiency. Since day one, the company has utilised advanced global systems and continuously seeks improvements.
“Currently, we are working on introducing our global partner portal to increase visibility,” Bolink says and adds, “We are also rolling out robot process automation to improve the first time-right of our order management process.”
The global partner portal provides real-time access to supply chain data, enabling partners to track orders, inventory levels, and shipment status. This transparency ensures that any potential disruptions can be identified and addressed swiftly. For example, when a major supplier faced a temporary shutdown, the portal allowed i-PRO to reroute orders and maintain supply continuity quickly.
Robotic process automation (RPA) streamlines order management by reducing manual errors and speeding up processing times. This technology ensures that orders are processed correctly the first time, minimising delays and enhancing overall efficiency. A scenario where RPA proved invaluable was during a sudden spike in demand; the automated system efficiently handled the increased volume, preventing potential backlogs.
Logistics and Sustainability
A notable aspect of i-PRO’s supply chain strategy is its focus on logistics and sustainability.
Bolink explains, “Most of our products have a high-value density, which means that the value per kg or m3 cargo is high.”
i-PRO commits to delivering within two weeks. Owing to this, products are primarily shipped by air to the Netherlands. Air freight, while faster, is more expensive and has a higher carbon footprint compared to sea freight.
“To minimise the carbon footprint, we have reduced the size of our packaging and are shipping any camera loose without any additional form of transport packaging. We don’t ship our products in bulk on pallets, and this reduces the heavy load and, thus, the carbon footprint during transport. Instead, we’ve reduced the size of our packaging, and all cameras are shipped almost individually. They are packaged into a bigger box that can fit several products within. Our calculations show that this reduces the volume by approximately 70% compared to the more traditional way of using transport packaging (outer cartons and pallets),” adds Bolink
Sustainability measures are meticulously tracked and reported, ensuring that the company meets its environmental goals.
After arriving in the Netherlands, products are distributed through a state-of-the-art warehouse, ensuring efficient European delivery. For larger projects, particularly in the MEA region, direct shipments from the factory reduce handling costs, risks, and carbon footprint while also shortening lead times.
Continuous Improvement and Customer Satisfaction
i-PRO’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its approach to supply chain management. Bolink mentions that the company follows the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, with every employee preparing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) aligned with the company strategy. This culture of continuous improvement ensures that everyone, from operational staff to C-level executives, contributes to common goals.
Customer satisfaction is a key focus. i-PRO conducts satisfaction surveys to measure performance and the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Feedback from these surveys is taken seriously, leading to tangible improvements like delivery exception notices. This proactive approach not only enhances customer experience but also builds trust and reliability.
Future-Focused Sustainability
Looking ahead, i-PRO is making significant efforts to improve the sustainability and footprint of its supply chain. This includes reducing packaging size and exploring multi-modal transport options to minimise its environmental impact further. By aligning with the UN Global Compact, i-PRO is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, promoting diversity, and designing durable, long-lasting products.
Bolink highlights an innovative aspect of their product development: creating solutions such as the X-Series line-up that extend the lifetime of legacy systems. By adding AI capabilities to standard cameras, i-PRO makes existing systems smarter without the need for complete overhauls, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and customer value. ‘Read more about the X-Series cameras and their AI capability here.’
As Bolink aptly puts it, “Our mission is not just to meet expectations but to redefine them.”
With this mindset, i-PRO is poised to lead the security technology industry into a future where resilience and sustainability go hand in hand. i-PRO’s supply chain resilience stems from a combination of strategic partnerships, advanced technology, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction and sustainability.
To find out more click here.