As global instability increases, supply chains and manufacturing operations are being disrupted, which will inevitably impact the availability of replacement undercarriage components. Several contributing factors are creating this risk:
Key Drivers of Undercarriage Supply Constraints
- Reduced Manufacturing Capacity
Trade Tariffs have caused Factory slowdowns or shutdowns over the last quarter and will stretch for at least another 6months causing supply backlogs. - Fragile Shipping Routes and Rising Freight Costs
War zones and increased threats to shipping has caused shipping deliveries to become less reliable, with escalating transport costs and route disruptions. - Lower Supplier Inventory Levels
Suppliers have reduced stock holdings due to earlier production and delivery shortfalls. - Increased Demand from Other Customers
Businesses are now stockpiling critical Undercarriage components, further tightening availability.
What Does This Mean for You?
These factors combine to create a real risk of limited availability of undercarriage components, which could delay repairs and interrupt your operations.
How to Mitigate the Risk: Practical Steps You Can Take Now
- Inspect Your Fleet Now
Determine the remaining life of each machine’s undercarriage components and forecast when replacements will be required.
(Need help? TrackTreads provides a complete Undercarriage Inspection and Management System compatible with all makes and models.) - Audit Your Spare Parts Inventory
Ensure you have sufficient stocks of swing chains, frames, and critical components to keep machines running. - Secure Future Stock Early
Proactively purchase and stockpile the parts you will need during the period of constrained supply. - Identify Alternative Suppliers
Try and identify alternative supply of parts that will achieve the same performance as the current components are achieving. - Reduce Freight Costs Through Forecasting
Use your Undercarriage Management System to project future demand and place forward orders, to secure supply without resorting to expensive express freight. Manufacturers give priority to forward orders. - Build an Undercarriage Maintenance Strategy
Leverage inspection data and component replacement records to create a proactive strategy, supported by reporting tools for management review and ongoing improvement.
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