Redefining Supply Chain Resilience: How OEMs are Adapting to Shifts in Global Trade

OEMs serving the maritime and offshore industries are grappling with rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and more complex customs procedures. Protectionist measures, escalating tariffs, and geopolitical instability have made centralized manufacturing—where a single site serves global markets—increasingly difficult to sustain. Faced with rising inefficiencies, extended lead times, and escalating costs, OEMs are being forced to reevaluate their supply chain strategies to ensure part availability for their customers.

How can OEMs maintain part availability when global supply chains become increasingly challenging to navigate? In response to economic shifts, many OEMs are exploring a more localized or decentralized model, but is this easier said than done?

Localized Manufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges

Global trade challenges have accelerated the push towards digital transformation in the supply chain. When importing parts becomes increasingly difficult and costly due to tariffs and supply chain disruptions, OEMs are turning to localized manufacturing as a viable alternative to ensure timely part availability. The shift toward localized production is being supported by Industry 4.0 technologies, such as digital inventories and additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Digital inventories refer to the transformation of physical parts into digital files (incl. 3D CAD models and design specifications), which can be transmitted to production sites worldwide for localized manufacturing. When combined with additive manufacturing, this capability further enhances the ability to produce complex parts when and where they are needed. This "on-demand manufacturing" approach eliminates the need for excessive physical stock and reduces the reliance on a single supplier, mitigating risks tied to geopolitical instability and trade tariffs.

However, adopting on-demand manufacturing is not without its challenges. Onboarding new manufacturing suppliers requires careful consideration to ensure they meet the strict quality control requirements of the OEM. New suppliers must be thoroughly vetted, and control measures must be implemented to ensure high-quality parts are consistently delivered according to industry standards. Additionally, a secure method to share intellectual property (IP) between OEMs and suppliers must be established to prevent theft of sensitive material.

Introducing these capabilities in-house can be a daunting task for an OEM, requiring substantial resource investment over several years before the benefits of on-demand manufacturing can be fully realized.

Rather than investing heavily in building in-house capabilities or onboarding suppliers around the world, many OEMs are turning to third-party partners specialized in on-demand manufacturing to enable localized manufacturing.

Evaluating Potential Partners

Selecting a suitable partner is vital in ensuring a seamless transition to adopting on-demand manufacturing. OEMs should prioritize providers that offer the following.

• Secure Digital Inventory Solutions – A robust platform that protects intellectual property while enabling seamless and on-demand production. 

• Vetted Manufacturing Network – A trusted ecosystem of certified suppliers that meet the highest industry standards for quality, liability, and IP security. 

• Guaranteed Quality & Compliance – Manufacturing partners that adhere to strict quality requirements, ensuring that every part produced aligns with OEM specifications. 

• Customer-Centric Support – A provider that strengthens OEM relationships with asset operators by ensuring continuity of service and product availability. 

By partnering with a provider that meets these criteria, OEMs can maintain control over their supply chain, mitigate risks associated with trade tariffs, and reinforce their position as reliable, innovative suppliers in the industry.

Shifting trade policies could be a moment of opportunity to build agility and resilience into operational processes for OEMs. 

At Pelagus 3D, we enable OEMs to digitize their part inventory, secure their IP, and leverage a global network of certified manufacturing partners. To learn how we can support your transition to localized manufacturing, visit http://www.pelagus.com/.

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