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Building resilience against global supply chain disruptions

Published Date

Case Study - Cicor site in Bedford, UK, Axis Electronics: Achieving growth despite global uncertainty together with Mouser Electronics

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 44 seconds



Challenge

Uncertainty in business has some serious downsides. It creates hesitancy in decision-making and investment that, ultimately, impedes growth. For an electronics manufacturing service (EMS) like Cicor site Bedford, Axis Electronics, this challenge arises on two fronts: clarity is required for internal investment decisions, while the organisation’s customers need to be sure they’re partnered with the optimal supplier for a long-term relationship.

One area that the team felt could contribute to improving this was by working on their suppliers’ perception of them. In business, strong relationships are essential. Without them, a supplier-customer relationship can only operate at half-steam. In recent years, global events have highlighted the weaknesses in supply chains. This served to make clear that relationships, not just part orders, were critical to not only surviving but thriving during times of difficulty.

Reflecting on their relationship-building success with customers, the team decided to apply the same focus on strengthening partnerships with strategic suppliers. The intent was to achieve a deeper level of engagement, going beyond transactional interactions to a cultivated relationship based on shared goals and transparency. Involved in this project were representatives of procurement, supply change management, supplier relationship management, strategic planning teams, and senior leadership.

Solution

The Cicor site in Bedford approached Mouser as one of its strategic suppliers. The team stated the goals of this improvement program as follows:

  • Improve supplier trust and engagement.
  • Enhance responsiveness to supply chain challenges.
  • Foster collaborative problem-solving and innovation.
  • Ensure a more sustainable and resilient procurement strategy.

The program started in 2021 and included a range of initiatives, such as quarterly webinars hosted by the Cicor site in Bedford, an annual supply chain conference, and sharing the global market landscape. This was backed up by activities to identify issues in and strengthen the end-to-end supply chain, bringing the two groups closer together. 

Mouser has consistently supported these activities with passion and interest, so much so that Cicor’s sister companies have been incorporated into this new, strengthened relationship.
Since 2024, the Cicor site has elevated its relationship-building effort to encompass “Meet the Buyer” events, fostering stronger, more personal relationships between Cicor procurement and Mouser’s internal sales teams.

Testimonial

This combination of relationship-strengthening activities, from company to personal level, has delivered tangible improvements in supply chain efficiency and measurable business growth. Mouser’s proactive engagement with Cicor activities and events has been superlative throughout this process. Ultimately, it has delivered a never-before-seen strength in a supplier relationship. 

Key outcomes include: 

  • Enhanced Supplier Engagement – The structured relationship-building approach has resulted in more transparent communication with strategic suppliers.
  • Improved Service Levels – The Cicor team now consistently rates Mouser’s service levels as best in class, recognising them as one of their top three strategic suppliers.
  • Operational Resilience – Strengthened supplier partnerships have enabled Axis to respond more effectively to market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
  • Revenue Growth & Customer Support – This valued partnership has not only driven increased sales for Mouser but, more importantly, has enhanced Cicor’s ability to service and support its customers, ensuring continuity and reliability in a competitive market. 

Results

By prioritising deep, long-term relationships over transactional engagements, the Cicor site has gained a competitive advantage, positioning itself for sustained success. These collaborative efforts with Mouser and other key suppliers have delivered:

  • A more agile and responsive supply chain.
  • Faster issue resolution through direct supplier engagement.
  • Better availability and delivery of critical electronic components for its customers.

The initiatives undertaken form a blueprint for cultivating deeper supplier relationships. It’s led to a resilient, efficient, customer-focused supply chain, enabling the Cicor Group to drive sustained operational excellence more independently of global industry challenges. By focussing on trust and transparency and fostering mutual understanding, the collaboration with Mouser in structured engagement initiatives has accelerated business growth and enhanced supply chain effectiveness, putting both teams on a path of mutual long-term growth.