HomeSecond sourcing
A second source, without changing your first.
Second sourcing means qualifying an additional manufacturer for a component you already buy. We find the source and supply the part. Your existing supplier stays exactly where they are.
Why manufacturers do it
Usually for one of five reasons.
- Resilience
- A part made by one supplier, on one tool, in one place is a single point of failure for everything it goes into.
- A price check
- An up-to-date quote from another capable manufacturer tells you whether the price you pay is still competitive.
- Capacity
- A second source gives you somewhere to go when demand rises or your supplier is at full stretch.
- Lead time
- A source that is closer, or holds stock, or simply runs differently, can shorten the wait.
- Order quantity
- A manufacturer set up for smaller batches can offer a minimum order that fits how you actually use the part.
How it works
One part at a time.
Pick the part
One recurring component, ideally one where price, lead time, minimum order or dependence on a single supplier is already a concern.
Define it properly
Drawing or specification, material, critical dimensions, annual usage and typical order quantity. This is what makes a part repeatable from more than one source.
We compare and quote
We identify suitable manufacturers, compare them on unit price, tooling, minimum order quantity, lead time and technical fit, and quote you for the best option.
Sample and approve
Where an option is worth pursuing, samples are made and checked against your drawing before any production order.
Decide how to use it
Keep it in reserve, split the volume, or move the part. Whichever you choose, you order from Francis Weybridge and we supply it. Or do nothing, if what you have is already the best option.
When it is worth it, and when it is not
A second source is not free, and it does not suit every part.
It tends to pay when
- The part is bought regularly and will be for years
- A stoppage would hold up something much more valuable
- The part can be made without dedicated tooling, or the tooling is modest
- The drawing fully defines the part
- You have not tested the price in a long time
It tends not to when
- Volumes are too low to interest a second manufacturer
- Tooling is expensive and cannot be shared or moved
- The part depends on a process or material only one supplier has
- Approvals or validation would have to be repeated at high cost
- The design is about to change
Splitting volume between two suppliers can also reduce the leverage you have with each. That is part of the comparison, and sometimes the right use of a second source is simply to have it ready.
Questions about second sourcing
What is second sourcing?
Second sourcing means identifying and qualifying an additional manufacturer for a component you already buy. It can give you an alternative on cost, capacity, lead time or order quantity, and reduces dependence on a single source.
Do I need to replace my existing supplier?
No. Francis Weybridge can qualify an alternative manufacturing source and supply from it while you continue buying from your existing supplier. You only need to consider changing or sharing the business if the alternative is commercially and technically worthwhile.
Does second sourcing mean paying for tooling twice?
Sometimes. If the existing tool cannot be shared or moved, a second source needs its own. That cost is part of the comparison, and for some parts it means a second source is not worthwhile. Parts made without dedicated tooling are usually the easiest to second source.
How long does it take to qualify a second source?
It varies with the part. A simple part made without dedicated tooling can be sampled quickly. A moulded or pressed part that needs a new tool takes longer, because the tool has to be built and samples approved before production.
Who do I buy the second-source part from?
From Francis Weybridge. We are the supplier: you place the order with us and we supply the part. Manufacturing is carried out by the production partner qualified for it.
What happens if you cannot find a better option?
Nothing needs to change. If the available alternatives do not offer a worthwhile commercial or supply advantage, there is no reason to move the component.
Start with one part.
Have a component you rely on a single supplier for?Let us see what else is possible.