April 2020 – GD Rectifiers’ Top Five Tips on Keeping up with Component Supply

Published on: 08/04/2020

GD Rectifiers share their top five tips to avoiding shortages in your supply chain

In these unprecedented times, our supply chain of electronic components is even more important now than ever before. We share our top five tips in how to manage your component supply and keep your supply chain on track.

Keeping up with Component Supply

Keep a close eye on lead times

The electronic component industry is still facing long lead times for certain products used for electric vehicles. Some manufacturers are still trying to catch up with the increased demand for components that we’ve seen in the last few years and are still quoting up to 26 week lead times. Some of these manufacturers are reassessing their production capabilities and making changes to bring the products to the market faster.

Alongside recent factors that have affected the industry, including Brexit and COVID-19, the industry are experiencing a shortage in certain components, but not all of them.

GD Rectifiers would advise checking the lead times of the part you need and be prepared to use mechanically interchangeable parts in lieu. If customers require small quantities of stock, then it might be possible to purchase them from an online stockist. Otherwise large quantities should be shared with distributors that can advise customers on finding suitable alternatives with much shorter lead times.

Try to use suppliers with UK stock

The advantage of using suppliers with UK stock is that it is always accessible, regardless of the latest COVID-19 update. Customers that use suppliers with UK stock will avoid any unnecessary delays with customs or delivery issues with their components. They can choose a next day delivery service and be assured that the stock is in this country for when they need it. GD Rectifiers are holding a high level of stock which stands us in good stead to help our customers.

Consider keeping inventory on-site or with distributors

Some customers require instant access to products and want stock of their regularly used components on site. However, usually a cost-effective system is hard to come by, businesses often don’t have the inventory management systems to support the idea or companies do not have the capacity to store the stock at their site.

Using a distributor like GD Rectifiers, enables customers to store their inventory off-site, reassured by knowing that the stock is in the UK, with their distributor for when they need it.

Lookout for component stock lists

Distributor stock lists are a quick way to establish if a component is in stock and most lists are available online, making it easier than ever to source the components you need. GD Rectifiers are open with their customers and provide a live inventory list on their website, in fact the information is available to anyone that visits our website or searches for the part on popular search engines.

We can also give the best support to those customers who are transparent with us and share forecasts where possible in order to commit to scheduled orders.

The electronics industry is always experiencing component shortages, but it’s the way distributors and customers work together that helps solve any potential supply chain issues.

GD Rectifiers are committed to serving our customers throughout these uncertain times, as long as it is safe to do so.

As the information regarding COVID-19 is changing daily, our office and factory remains open, we have taken a number of additional steps to ensure that our customers can continue to enjoy our products:

• As an electronic component distributor, we are well stocked on most components and are ready to support customers quickly with their requirements
• We are working closely with our manufacturers to ensure our product supply for non-stocked items is continuous and satisfies customer demand
• We are contacting our customers to reassure them that its business as usual
• We’re advising customers to place orders as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays to their supply chain
• We are working with all of our suppliers to ensure there is minimal disruption to any of our products and services, including delivery

GD Rectifiers is an authorised distributor for over 30 of the world’s leading semiconductor, circuit protection, passive, electromagnetic and thermal management brands, including: IXYS, Westcode, Semikron, Dynex, API Capacitors and Enerdoor.

For further information on GD Rectifiers products range please click here or contact our sales team today for a quote on: 01444 243 452 or email: enquiries@gdrectifiers.co.uk.