Building a Predictive Supply Chain to Face Uncertain Times

Q: How are TW Metal’s specialty alloy products an advantage for the company?

A: We supply highly specialized niche products that provide a massive advantage for players in the market. Our specialization reduces our competition, which has made aerospace companies seek us out whenever they need these types of products. Not every company is in a position to supply these products, so we have become a key factor in the industry. 

Q: Who are your main customers and in which sectors is the company focusing? 

A: Our market is divided into two segments: aerospace and commercial. We are focusing heavily on the aerospace industry, which is surging again after the supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continuing to develop our participation in the market with the goal of becoming essential to all its players by anticipating customer demand. 

In the commercial sector, we are focusing on innovating alongside the market. For example, we work with companies that are focusing on electromobility. We also target customers in different industry sectors because we can deliver specialized products, such as those required by the oil and gas and energy industries.  

Q: How would you define the company’s participation in the Mexican industry? 

A: Our aerospace customers in Mexico turn to us to anticipate any potentially difficult short-term problem and to respond utilizing our customized supply program tools and management teams in place. We understand our client’s projections and demands and remain close to them to continuously share information. 

Being a distributor is a big advantage in today’s market because the prices for most aerospace products have gone through the roof and availability has been a major challenge. As distributors, we can use different manufacturers to ensure Mexican companies have the products they need and on time, without having to wait for long mill lead times or pay more than they should. 

Q: How have the supply disruptions in the sector affected TW Metals?

A: It has been a challenging period. We spent a long time working with our corporate supply chain teams to understand and prepare to meet our customers’ needs. This required manufacturing products that were not needed immediately but months later. It also involves making tough decisions when it comes to prioritizing orders that clients need immediately. This is not the way we like to operate on a daily basis but it has allowed us to fill supply gaps and make a difference.

We are looking far into the future to forecast production and doing what we can to accommodate our customers. The pandemic has been more difficult than any other situation faced in the past 30 years. It is a major challenge, but our hard work has allowed us to avoid serious disruptions. 

Q: What are TW Metal’s expectations for Mexico in 2023? 

A: In Mexico, we have an established facility in Puebla and we are working with other companies to meet the demand from the state and the country. Also, global tensions are generating uncertainty around buying products from distant suppliers, so many companies are looking for options closer to the US. TW Metal is a great alternative and can generate great opportunities for the country. We are also trying to promote the participation of Mexican companies in the nearshoring movement. We are excited to work hand in hand with Mexican companies and we plan to help them take advantage of the emerging opportunities and face the challenges the aerospace sector is experiencing. 

 

TW Metals is a leading specialty metal distributor with over 30 facilities worldwide. The company offers a broad range of products and services, including extrusions, fittings and production of pipes, tubes, sheets and plates in stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, alloy steel and carbon steel.