DELPHI FITTINGS
The Strategic Sourcing Playbook
Sourcing isn't about spreadsheets; it's about building a bulletproof supply chain that becomes a competitive weapon. This 12-part series is our factory-floor perspective on mastering the game—from supplier audits to logistics and risk management.
Chapter 1: Beyond the Price Tag – The True Cost of a Fitting
A cheap fitting that fails isn't a saving; it's a line-down disaster waiting to happen. We break down how to calculate the real cost of failure and shift your mindset from price-per-part to total supply chain security.
Read Chapter 1 →Chapter 2: The Global Factory Map – Where Your Fittings REALLY Come From
We pull back the curtain on the global manufacturing landscape. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of different sourcing regions—from China to Taiwan, India, and beyond—to build a resilient, diversified supplier base.
Explore the Map →Chapter 3: Weaponizing the Spec Sheet – Using SAE, DIN & ISO to Guarantee Quality
Technical standards aren't just rules to follow; they are your primary weapon to enforce quality. Learn how to leverage the details of SAE, DIN, and ISO specs to hold suppliers accountable and eliminate ambiguity.
Master the Specs →Chapter 4: The Factory Audit Playbook – What Your Supplier Hopes You Don't See
Go beyond the ISO certificate and the curated factory tour. We show you what to look for in the scrap yard, the tooling room, and the maintenance logs to uncover the truth about a potential partner's capabilities.
Go Behind the Scenes →Chapter 5: The Art of the Deal – Deconstructing Supplier Costs for Maximum Leverage
Stop negotiating on price; start negotiating on cost. We'll teach you how to break down a fitting's cost into raw materials, machining time, and overhead, giving you the data you need to secure a truly fair deal.
Learn the Breakdown →Chapter 6: Mastering the Supply Chain – How Logistics & Incoterms Protect Your Bottom Line
FOB, DDP, and EXW aren't just acronyms; they are critical transfers of risk and cost. This guide demystifies global logistics, helping you choose the right Incoterms and carriers to protect your inventory and your timeline.
Control Your Shipments →Chapter 7: Quality Control from 5,000 Miles Away – A System That Actually Works
How do you ensure quality when the factory is on the other side of the world? It's not about trust; it's about building a bulletproof system of verification, from material certs to third-party inspections and strategic inbound testing.
Build Your System →Chapter 8: Winning the Internal War – Aligning Engineering, Sales, and Finance
Your biggest challenges are often internal. Learn the language and motivations of engineering, sales, and finance to get buy-in for your sourcing strategies and transform procurement from a cost center to a power center.
Read the Tactics →Chapter 9: When Suppliers Fail – Turning a Crisis into a Competitive Advantage
A supplier crisis—a fire, a bankruptcy, a quality recall—is inevitable. For the prepared buyer, it's also an opportunity. This chapter outlines how to manage the chaos and emerge stronger than your competitors.
Prepare for Crisis →Chapter 10: From Buyer to Architect – Building a Supply Chain That Can't Be Beaten
The final step is to build a lasting legacy. This involves making strategic make-or-buy decisions, investing in key partners, and designing a supply chain so resilient and efficient that it becomes your company's deepest moat.
Build Your Legacy →Chapter 11: The Other Side of the Ledger – How Your Company Prices & Sells the Parts You Buy
To be a great buyer, you must understand how your work impacts the sell-side. We explore how your company creates value through inventory, service, and brand, and how your purchasing decisions directly fuel that engine.
Understand the Value Chain →Chapter 12: Know Your Battlefield – Sourcing for OEMs vs. Distributors vs. MRO Needs
Sourcing for a high-volume OEM is a different game than buying for MRO or distribution. We break down the unique demands of each market segment so you can tailor your supplier strategy for maximum impact.
Know Your Customer →Special Strategic Supplement
An In-Depth Guide to the World's Leading Hydraulic Fitting Manufacturers
This exhaustive 10,000-word intelligence report analyzes the strategic positions of the top manufacturers in the USA, Canada, Germany, and China, including Parker, Brennan, Swagelok, and more. This is the definitive guide for building a world-class supplier portfolio.
Read the Full Intelligence Report