Since the first confirmed Swiss Corona case on 24 February 2020, a professional and functioning supply chain has gained in importance and has been classified as critical to success in a flash. We are proud of our slogan "World of Relays" and do everything in our power to offer our valued customers a broad and specialised product portfolio with over 5,000 active sales products.
The shortage of semiconductors in the media is a major challenge for many companies across all industries. Our sales products are made up of several semi-finished products, which in turn consist of a large number of components. Even one missing component jeopardises the manufacture of a sales product. To begin with, we have not been spared bad news and material shortages. However, the ability to react quickly to changing circumstances is and was decisive. The great innovative strength and agility of the SMEs based in Worb made a significant contribution to the fact that, in retrospect, we were able to benefit from the crisis. The staff of ComatReleco AG came closer together to find solutions. In concrete terms, a number of re-designs were implemented in record time, the procurement parameters were adjusted, new procurement tools were introduced for an improved overview and systematic monitoring control, and the exchange with all production plants was intensified. As a preventive measure, safety stocks of critical parts and components were increased to keep production running. External transport logistics also had an impact on our supply chain. Meeting customer delivery deadlines has been prioritised since the beginning and resulted in many goods being moved by air instead of by ship. Of course, maintaining profitability plays a central role in guaranteeing a high level of service in the long term.
We are optimistic about the future and look forward to putting the experience we have gained over the past two years to good use for our customers. I hope you enjoy reading this report.
Silvan Benedikt Meier, COO