Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 200 billion data-points and initiated over seven million emergency alerts. For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Kevin Meyers, Chief Operating Officer at Blackline Safety, had a big ask cross his desk: a large hardware and services renewal, valued at over $3 million, with a major energy, utility, transportation and infrastructure provider in Canada. The purchase order called for almost 900 G7 connected wearable gas detectors, each with a multi-gas cartridge, to be shipped within the month. In an economic and manufacturing environment beset by a shortage of critical parts (talk to anyone who’s trying to buy a car right now), Meyers, however, was unfazed. He knew the order would be filled on time.
“The global pandemic and subsequent supply chain challenges over the past two years, helped us acknowledge the importance of supplier diversity in securing multiple sources for materials where possible,” said Meyers.
"Increasing our roster of vendors, paired with proactive planning, meant we’ve largely been able to avoid the manufacturing woes that have affected many of our peers.”
While supplier diversity introduced agility, creativity and innovation into the technology and solutions Blackline Safety delivers to its global customer base, other levers have also made the company successful in the competition for components. Among them:
- Manufacturing all Blackline Safety products, including printed circuit boards, in our Calgary, Canada headquarters, giving tighter control over the manufacturing process.
- Relying upon the consignment programs of our large electronics suppliers.
- Extending purchase orders for long lead time items to secure supply.
- Utilizing the broker market when needed (paid a premium but secured components).
- Communicating constantly and consistently directly with suppliers.
- Evolving internal processes to become more agile and continuously improve, including benchmarking and adopting best practices of others.
- Increasing internal inventory when needed.
“The quality and effort of our Operations teams, specifically Procurement, in securing critical items happens daily. Our track record of delivering product on time despite tight timelines increases trust and confidence as seen in our recent renewals and expansions.”
The result? Happy (and relieved) customers—and distributors—of our leading-edge and award-winning connected technology. When over 150,000 workers across 70 countries at more than 1,000 global companies depend on you for their safety, failure to deliver is not an option.
Ready to learn more about how Blackline Safety can help you get the critical equipment you need?
