What does Early Supply Involvement (ESI) ensure during product development?

Early Supply Involvement (ESI) ensures that supplier experience and expertise are utilized early in the product development process. This approach is vital as it allows organizations to leverage the knowledge and capabilities of suppliers right from the beginning, which can lead to several benefits. By involving suppliers early, companies can tap into innovative ideas, enhance product design, optimize materials selection, and improve manufacturability. This proactive collaboration helps in identifying potential challenges early on, ultimately facilitating a smoother development process and reducing the risk of delays or increased costs later in the project.

Using suppliers' insights during the early stages also fosters a cooperative relationship, which can contribute to more effective problem-solving and agility in adapting to any changes that arise during development.