As expected, the choked supply chain meant fewer new product announcements at the big show at Oshkosh, and unanimously, showgoers reported challenges sourcing products and vendors said there were serious issues getting components to build them. In this video, Aviation Consumer Magazine Editor Larry Anglisano and KITPLANES Magazine Editor Marc Cook talk it through, while a handful of manufacturer reps weigh in on the issue.
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As a small manufacturer I have found a good solution to supply chain issues by seeking suppliers who are at most a one hour’s drive away. This also eliminates shipping delays and damage as we can pick things up ourselves. Years ago I toured Pilatus in Switzerland and marveled at the company’s quality and record of delivering its aircraft on time. My tour guide explained this was the result of their apprenticeship program and doing as much as possible under one roof with minimal outsourcing.
As an addendum – we also avoid buying anything from communist countries, especially China. What one might save on the purchase price is more than balanced by keeping our money in our own county / state / nation ( in order of preference ). Quality, delivery time, ability to communicate with the supplier, and especially peace of mind is better with a local supplier that shares our ethics and becomes essentially a part of our business and vice versa. Here we have learned from the Amish and Mennonites, successful in nearly all business endeavors they pursue, and with a rock-solid Moral Foundation we share with them.
One of the most glaring supply chain issues in all of cutting edge aviation is the lack of a supply of wonder batteries that are stifling the multitude of the magic makers so often featured on AvWeb. However, I don’t think that clearing the backlog at most of the ports is going to resolve this problem.