Scaling under fire: how consumer goods companies ramp and scale high-volume production in the face of surging demand

The ability to scale production swiftly is critical for any manufacturer, especially for those in the defence sector. However as recent events have shown, defence contractors face significant challenges in scaling production and replenishing ammunition inventories in times of crisis.

This discussion will explore whether best practices from the consumer goods industry can be applied to enhance the agility, efficiency and scalability of ammunition manufacturers.

We will consider:

• Demand Forecasting and Flexibility. Consumer goods companies excel at meeting demand surges and adjusting production schedules in real-time
• Agile Supply Chains. Leading consumer goods manufacturers build resilient, diversified supply chains that are capable of quickly scaling up or down, ensuring production continuity even during unforeseen disruptions
• Automation and Lean Manufacturing. Consumer goods companies often lead the way in automation. By implementing lean principles and automation they can increase throughput without sacrificing quality or cost-efficiency
• Collaboration with Suppliers: By fostering strong, flexible relationships consumer goods manufacturers enable faster restocking and smooth transitions during peak demand periods

Could ammunition manufacturers better scale their operations to meet future crises by incorporating some of these strategies?