End of Build / Life Services

The manufacturing phase-down and End of Life stage of a product is a critical period for the manufacturer and for its install base. This is a period of highly unpredictable demand and resource imbalance. The result is quite often a financial horror story with high obsolescence and write-off costs, under-utilisation of expensive capital and process capacity, premium payment for reducing volumes of components. It also distracts resources that could be better utilised for new product introductions and ramp-ups.

At the same time, it is difficult to properly sustain supply to the install base which can be on a completely different timeline for product and technology migration. Often a manufacturer requires its customers to commit to last time orders and schedules, which can be inflexible and troublesome for both partners. In certain circumstances, customer frustration can threaten the loyalty and retention of customer accounts.

Properly integrating Remarketing into this phase of product can provide customer serving and financially efficient solutions to all of the problems.

Firstly, the natural (and program induced) retirals from the install base can serve as supply to those customers needing extended availability and service. These used products can be remanufactured to an ’as new’ branded standard, with all of the necessary attributes of software, licensing and warranty. These can be flexibly provided to meet the customers specific programs and timing needs.

Secondly, the resource surpluses from end of life processes can be minimised and absorbed as Remanufacturing supply. With specific planning and cut-offs this can dramatically reduce the obsolescence exposure and financial unpredictability.

Multis’ skills and capabilities can support and enhance these programs. This is often achieved by a transfer of the lower volume end of life phase build to Multis. This reduces the overhead structure and inefficiency costs which are prevalent in the manufacturer’s volume and flow related processes. This also allows a seamless and customer serving phase over from new product supply to a branded Remanufacturing supply to those customers who need it.