Our approach centers around two key pillars: in-house capabilities and smarter forecasting.
Why In-House Capabilities Matter
We’ve made intentional investments in our facilities, equipment, and people to bring more processes under one roof. This means we’re not dependent on a long chain of subcontractors or external shops to get the job done. Pen Manufacturing has a full range of production services on-site, including CNC machining, welding, forming, inspection, and assembly. This allows us to control quality and lead times, and reduce reliance on external vendors.
Having the ability to pivot quickly in-house means that we can continue meeting tight deadlines, even when the global supply chain hits a snag.
Smarter Forecasting: Data-Driven, Demand-Ready
Equally important to resilience is the ability to **see around corners**. Our forecasting systems allow us to plan with confidence and react with agility.
Here’s how we do it:
- ERP-Integrated Forecasting: Using Fulcrum ERP, we centralize customer orders, historical demand patterns, and production scheduling in one streamlined system. This gives us a real-time snapshot of where our resources stand—and where they’re headed.
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP): We align our production capacity with forecasted demand through cross-functional planning sessions that include sales, production, and procurement leads. This ensures we’re not just prepared for tomorrow—we’re strategically positioned for next quarter.
- Customer Collaboration: Many of our customers provide rolling forecasts or blanket orders. We integrate this data into our systems to get ahead of production needs and build out long-term schedules that smooth peaks and valleys in demand.
The Result: A Stronger, More Reliable Supply Chain
With the right tools and the right infrastructure, PEN is able to reduce delays, control costs, and deliver peace of mind to our partners. We don’t just react to market changes—we prepare for them.
By combining in-house execution with smart planning, we’re not just building components—we’re building reliability into every project we touch.