In this article, Amir Wagenstein, Group Supply Chain & Logistics VP at Rubix, explores how Rubix is helping manufacturers strengthen uptime resilience through localised warehousing, strategic supplier partnerships and data-led decision-making – and what that means for manufacturers navigating cross-border disruption.
From global uncertainty to critical component shortages, today’s industrial supply chains are under more pressure than ever.
In recent years, disruption has become increasingly frequent. The war in Ukraine, ongoing trade tensions with China, the lingering aftershocks of the pandemic and the latest escalation in the Middle East have left manufacturers confronting a volatile and complex procurement environment. Add to this rising inflation, labour shortages and fluctuating demand patterns, and it’s clear: resilience is no longer just a competitive advantage, but rather a core operational requirement.
As Europe’s leading supplier of industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, Rubix plays a pivotal role in helping manufacturers mitigate risk and maintain momentum to keep the wheels of industry turning. With a distribution network that spans Europe and deep sector expertise, Rubix is uniquely positioned to support manufacturers through turbulent times, not only responding to disruption but building structures that anticipate and absorb it.
Localised warehousing, global reliability
Disrupted borders. Port congestion. Extended overseas lead times. These are just a few consequences of recent global instability, which has exposed the vulnerabilities of centralised or offshore supply models.
Many manufacturers have traditionally relied on global supply chains optimised for cost rather than continuity. But as delays become more frequent and less predictable, the drawbacks of this approach are becoming impossible to ignore. Manufacturers are now re-evaluating where, and how, inventory is stored and distributed – seeking closer proximity to production lines and end-users.
Rubix’s extended footprint helps manufacturers maintain continuity, regardless of external shocks. With over 750 locations across Europe, including regional distribution centres and more than 1,000 Insite facilities housed within customer premises, Rubix delivers local agility backed by global reach. This ensures faster fulfilment, less dependence on long-haul logistics, and the ability to pivot quickly during crises.
By analysing consumption data and positioning critical MRO inventory closer to production sites, many manufacturers have significantly improved product availability while avoiding the costs, emissions and delays of distant sourcing. This not only strengthens day-to-day performance but also builds in a buffer against future volatility.
Smarter sourcing through strategic supplier partnerships
In times of disruption, supplier relationships are key. Fragmented supply networks expose manufacturers to lead time spikes, scarcity, and cost unpredictability, particularly for critical components.
Rubix helps customers consolidate their supplier base, prioritising strong, collaborative relationships with trusted manufacturers. While Rubix maintains connections with more than 15,000 suppliers globally, it focuses on building strategic partnerships with fewer strategic suppliers that enable better planning, earlier visibility of disruption and preferential access to stock.
During the 2021 – 2022 global goods shortage, including MRO components – intensified by pandemic aftershocks and high-impact events like the Suez Canal blockage, which delayed shipments by 2 – 4 weeks or more – many manufacturers faced lead times of up to 20 weeks, with niche components delayed for several months due to limited global supply and shipping congestion.
Rubix’s strategic sourcing model is designed to help manufacturers navigate precisely these types of challenges. By combining long-term supplier relationships with a distribution network that spans Europe, Rubix can support customers in identifying alternative sources, coordinating product substitutions, and transferring stock between locations when appropriate.
This capability enables customers to better manage risk, improve continuity of supply, and reduce the operational impact of unpredictable market conditions.
Beyond reactive measures, these supplier partnerships also unlock longer-term advantages, including price stability and technical support.
Real‑time data, proactive decisions
Visibility is the cornerstone of resilience. Manufacturers who can monitor inventory, usage, and supplier performance in real time are better equipped to adapt to changing circumstances, rather than reacting after the fact.
Rubix embeds this principle through its digital platforms such as Invend, a smart vending system, and Iscan, a scanning and replenishment tool – both of which are deployed across thousands of customer sites. These technologies automate restocking based on live consumption data, eliminating guesswork and reducing the administrative burden on internal teams.
Rubix’s internal benchmarking shows that manufacturers using these tools have recorded fewer stockouts and gains in fulfilment accuracy. This enables more consistent uptime on production lines and reduces the hidden costs of urgent reordering and reactive maintenance.
These outcomes mirror broader industry trends. As manufacturers invest more in smart factories and predictive maintenance, digital inventory management has become a priority.
The road ahead: designing for resilience
No manufacturer can prevent every disruption – but all can implement resilience into their operations.
That means embedding flexibility at every stage of the supply chain, from procurement and warehousing through to logistics and maintenance. It means being able to act on live data, respond to supplier changes quickly, and adapt to geopolitical shifts without compromising operational integrity.
Rubix advocates for supply chains that are localised, simplified and digitally transparent. That means placing inventory strategically, consolidating supplier bases, and integrating technology to surface actionable data. It also means choosing supply partners that combine scale with responsiveness, capable of supporting global operations while remaining agile at a local level.
With its extensive European infrastructure, logistics expertise, and long-standing supplier partnerships, Rubix is empowering manufacturers across sectors to build flexible, disruption-ready supply chains, ensuring continuity today and competitiveness tomorrow.
To learn more about how Rubix can support your operations, visit: www.rubix.com.
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