Major hurricanes and earthquakes are catastrophic, but (thankfully) rare. So are mega-blizzards, ice storms, and other natural events that could disrupt OEM supply chains. Rare isn’t the same as negligible, however, so it’s important to consider your risks and be prepared. That’s true not just for original equipment manufacturers, but for the interconnect manufacturers that OEMs depend upon.

Why Business Contingency Planning Matters

Business contingency planning is a holistic process that identifies potential threats to an organization and the effects on business operations that those threats, if realized, could cause. By creating a framework for resilience, an interconnect manufacturer can develop capabilities for an effective response. For companies that are pursuing ISO 9001:2015 certification, business continuity during a crisis demonstrates the soundness of a quality management system (QMS) that’s informed by risk-based thinking.

Recently, SHINE established a business contingency plan that defines our recovery process for restoring critical business functions in the event of a disaster or interruption. As an interconnect manufacturer for OEMs, we work with companies that need a dependable, high-quality supply of custom cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and electro-mechanical assembly services. We also want to protect the well-being of our employees and their families during a time of crisis.

SHINE’s Business Contingency Plan

SHINE’s business contingency plan sets objectives for the recovery of core business functions and establishes timetables for activities (such as purchasing and manufacturing) that are of special concern to customers. For example, through vendor analysis, we can reduce the risk that the failure of a single supplier would pose. We’ve also assigned responsibilities to specific business recovery activities so that it’s clear who needs to do what.

Business contingency planning also minimizes the number and type of decisions that need to be in a time of crisis. That’s especially important if communication networks fail and people need to make quick decisions in stressful situations. Natural disasters like the earthquakes in Mexico and Hurricanes like Harvey and Irma may be rare, but the risks of business interruption are real. Through proper business contingency planning, however, an interconnect manufacturer can strengthen OEM supply chains.

Strategic Sourcing for Interconnect Manufacturing

SHINE is certified to ISO 9001:2008 and is transitioning to ISO 9001:2015.  Our manufacturing center in Adams, Massachusetts (USA) is a state-of-the-art facility with automated equipment, skilled personnel, and an enduring commitment to quality. We hope you’ve found this article to be helpful, and invite you to contact us.