Sheet metal procurement is a linchpin in today's modern manufacturing. For all the importance of direct metal deposition and other advanced metalworking technologies, metal sheet remains fundamental to lots of products in lots of industries. So it is nice to see the emergence of collaborative approaches in sheet metal purchasing. These approaches are fostering better relationships (with procurement as the key tool to use here) between manufacturers and suppliers — in ways that are enhancing quality and efficiency, and that are driving otherwise beneficial consequences for the bottom line.
The purchasing of sheet metal has moved away from traditional business relations. Now it is all about working together with the suppliers. Manufacturers and suppliers in the sheet metal purchasing business are working as partners in a holistic approach to purchasing. They have left behind the days of doing business in a mostly transactional way, and those suppliers now are interested in being more integrated into their customers' businesses. They have a real interest in forming long-term relationships.
Sheet metal purchasing is today almost inevitably collaborative. Fortunately, this forms of teamwork has at its heart the potential for mutual benefits. Manufacturers who sup from collaborative purchasing programs seek not just low prices, but also the reliable, quality, and innovative sheet metal supply that allows them to serve their own customers well and compete successfully. On the other side of the table, suppliers don’t mind this cooperative behavior one bit. In fact, they relish it.
Purchasing involves the collaboration of manufacturers and suppliers. Those two entities must align strategically to work together efficiently. This alignment involves set objectives that are shared between the two parties, communication that is clear and direct, and problem-solving that is done jointly when the need arises. The set-up needed for this collaboration to make sense involves two parties working together on purchasing issues that are critically important either to one of the two parties involved or to both parties at the same time.
Innovating through collaboration is one of the key outcomes of working together to procure sheet metal. When sheet metal manufacturers and suppliers work closely, they are better able to create solutions collaboratively. And when they do that, they are often exploring new materials and refining their manufacturing processes. And when all of that happens, we are developing new products and gaining efficiencies in existing processes that lead to competitive advantages.
The modern collaborative approach uses technology and data integration to achieve optimal efficiency in purchasing and other activities. Supply chain management systems, for instance, help the purchasing department of a sheet metal manufacturer communicate and work more effectively with the supply chain. Predictive analytics enables all of us to see more clearly into our collective future. And, of course, real-time data helps everybody along the supply chain make informed and timely decisions.
The Future of Collaborative Sheet Metal Purchasing

In conclusion, collaborative methods for purchasing sheet metal are the future of a prosperous manufacturing ecosystem. Building purchases of sheet metal in a collaborative way—through strategic partnerships with fabricators, for example—seems likely to add efficiency, innovation, and a nice dollop of sustainable growth to the manufacturing sector.
Sheet metal purchasing is not an island. It should not be an island. Sheet metal purchasing is a part of the manufacturing industry. To be successful in it, one must collaborate with others in the industry. That is what this chapter is all about—buying sheet metal and collaborating with suppliers in the endeavor.