Case Study Supplier Recovery Updated June 16, 2025 3 min read By GPSI Team

Supplier Recovery in 3 Months

With roughly 80% of production late to demand dates, a troubled supplier was in crisis. GPSI deployed an agent, built an aggressive recovery plan, and drove late purchase-order lines to zero — in three months.

Supplier recovery and schedule turnaround on a manufacturing floor

0 Late P.O. lines
in 3 months

Client & Supplier Troubled Manufacturing Supplier

A client asked GPSI to create and implement a recovery plan for one of its troubled suppliers — late on parts and weak on reporting, quality, and management.

Industry

Manufacturing

Engagement

Supplier Recovery & Delivery Assurance

Target

0 late P.O. lines in 3 months

GPSI Role

Deployed on-site recovery agent

Key Takeaways

Around 80% of production was late to purchase-order demand dates at the start.
GPSI built an aggressive but realistic recovery plan that all parties bought into.
An efficient reporting methodology was live within the first week.
An expediting program removed bottlenecks and taught supplier-management best practices.
Process analysis delivered a lean production cycle and capacity planning for all machines.
Late purchase-order lines reached zero within the three-month window.

Scope of WorkWhat was the challenge?

The client requested the support of Global Partner Solutions to create and implement a recovery plan for one of its troubled suppliers. The supplier was late in delivering parts; about 80% of the overall production was late to P.O. demand dates. On top of this, the customer suffered from poor reporting, a weak quality system, and a lack of supplier management.

~80% of production late to P.O. demand dates
Poor reporting and limited visibility
A weak quality system
A lack of supplier management

DEFINITION

Expediting program: a focused effort to prioritize and accelerate late or critical orders through production and delivery. Here it was paired with teaching supplier-management best practices to clear bottlenecks at final inspection, identification, and delivery.

ActivitiesHow did GPSI run the recovery?

Our deployed agent made a thorough assessment and put together an aggressive but realistic recovery which all parties bought and distributed. The objective was to achieve: (0) late P.O. lines within (3) months. Within the first week of our involvement, we introduced an efficient reporting methodology based on our client’s needs. Then, through exhaustive efforts, we were able to implement tools facilitating the measurement of various spheres of the manufacturing system. It specifically focused on its supplier base, where the absence of a predictable turnaround time was creating bottlenecks at final inspection, identification, and delivery to the customer. The agent deployed an expediting program with the intent to teach supplier management best practices. Later, the agent made an extensive analysis of the internal processes.

Assess & set target

A thorough assessment and an aggressive but realistic plan: 0 late P.O. lines in 3 months.

Reporting in week 1

An efficient reporting methodology, built around the client’s needs.

Measure & expedite

Measurement tools plus an expediting program teaching best practices.

Analyze & make lean

Extensive process analysis driving a lean production cycle.

ResultsWhat results did GPSI deliver?

The results included a lean production cycle, detailed capacity planning for all machines, elimination of over quality, and more. Within the (3) month window, this supplier was on track and now continues to excel.

Before

80%

of production late to P.O. demand dates

→

After — 3 months

late P.O. lines — on track and excelling

Lean production cycle

Process analysis streamlined the production cycle end to end.

Capacity planning for all machines

Detailed capacity planning gave the supplier predictable throughput.

Over quality eliminated

Quality work beyond requirements was removed, cutting waste.

Predictable turnaround

Bottlenecks at inspection, identification, and delivery were cleared.

ImpactWhat was the impact?

80%

Production late at the start

Late P.O. lines achieved

Months to recovery

1 wk

To new reporting methodology

From roughly 80% of production late to zero late P.O. lines — within the three-month window the supplier was on track, and continues to excel. — Outcome of the GPSI supplier recovery

AS9100NSF-ISR Certified

GPSI delivers supplier recovery and delivery assurance under AS9100-certified quality management — the standard behind engagements like this one.

Frequently asked questions

What was the situation with the troubled supplier?

The supplier was late in delivering parts, with about 80% of overall production late to purchase-order demand dates. The customer also suffered from poor reporting, a weak quality system, and a lack of supplier management.

What was the recovery target?

The objective was to achieve zero late purchase-order lines within three months, using an aggressive but realistic recovery plan that all parties bought into.

What did GPSI do to recover the supplier?

GPSI’s deployed agent assessed the situation, introduced an efficient reporting methodology within the first week, implemented tools to measure the manufacturing system, deployed an expediting program to teach supplier-management best practices, and analyzed the internal processes.

What is an expediting program?

An expediting program is a focused effort to prioritize and accelerate late or critical orders through production and delivery. Here it was paired with teaching supplier-management best practices to remove bottlenecks at final inspection, identification, and delivery.

What were the results?

The results included a lean production cycle, detailed capacity planning for all machines, and the elimination of over quality. Within the three-month window the supplier was on track and continues to excel.

Need to recover an at-risk supplier — fast?

GPSI deploys recovery agents who build realistic plans, stand up reporting, expedite critical orders, and drive late lines to zero. Let’s find a time to connect.

Explore Supplier Recovery & Delivery Assurance Canada toll free: 866-980-1387 · US: 316-263-1288 · UK: 44 121 295 6504