How One Manufacturer’s Supplier Strategy Almost Cost Them Millions—And the Smart Shift That Saved Them
The Unexpected Cost of Too Many Suppliers
It started with a single, overlooked detail.
A leading automotive parts manufacturer had built a global supply chain using a multiple supplier strategy. They sourced RFID tracking systems, barcode scanners, and mobile computers from different vendors, believing this approach would protect them from disruptions and give them more negotiating power.
For years, the system worked—until it didn’t.
The Hidden Flaw in the System
One afternoon, an urgent order came in from a major automaker. The manufacturer’s warehouse workers scanned the required parts using barcode scanners from one supplier, expecting seamless inventory tracking. But instead, the system flagged the order as incomplete—even though the parts were physically on the shelves.
The reason?
The RFID tracking software, sourced from a different vendor, wasn’t syncing properly with the mobile computers used for warehouse operations. The company’s multiple suppliers had different data formats, mismatched software protocols, and inconsistent update cycles.
While IT teams scrambled to fix the issue, the automaker canceled the order and took their business elsewhere. The manufacturer lost a multi-million-dollar contract—not because of missing inventory, but because of supplier misalignment.
Why Complexity Can Kill Operational Efficiency
This company’s mistake wasn’t about bad suppliers—it was about too many of them.
Recent research confirms that multiple supplier models introduce more challenges than benefits:
- A 2025 Sensors (MDPI) study found that traceability and defect detection become exponentially harder when working with multiple suppliers.
- A Springer report on healthcare supply chains showed that inconsistent supplier quality standards create costly integration issues.
- Research from Operational Research (Springer, 2025) revealed that multiple suppliers lead to forecasting errors, inventory misalignment, and increased logistics costs.
In short, the more suppliers a company manages, the more time, money, and energy it spends on coordination instead of production.
A Smarter Solution: omniQ’s Single-Supplier Approach
After their costly wake-up call, the manufacturer decided to consolidate its supply chain with a single technology supplier—and chose omniQ.
With omniQ Technology Supplier Solutions, The Company Gained:
- Integrated Mobile Computers & Barcode Scanners – Eliminating device mismatches and ensuring seamless communication.
- RFID Tracking That Actually Works – omniQ’s RFID technology provided real-time data accuracy, eliminating inventory discrepancies.
- Strategic Partnerships With Industry Leaders – omniQ partners with Honeywell, Zebra, and IoT manufacturers, ensuring best-in-class hardware and software compatibility.
- End-to-End Support & Scalability – Instead of juggling multiple contracts and service agreements, the company had a single, reliable point of contact for all technology needs.
The Future of Manufacturing: Efficiency Through Simplification
For manufacturers, supply chain success isn’t just about having the right technology—it’s about having the right strategy.
Making Waves at Industry Events:
- Streamlined logistics reduce delays and unnecessary complexity.
- Unified technology improves operational efficiency.
- Accurate inventory tracking ensures businesses never miss an opportunity.
By consolidating suppliers, manufacturers reduce risks, improve quality control, and unlock new levels of efficiency.
So the question isn’t whether businesses can afford to simplify—it’s whether they can afford not to.
Watch this video to see omniQ’s mobility solutions in action.👇