Ranica Arrowsmith, Associate Editor02.26.16
David Mastromatteo, managing director of Dallas, Texas-based LifeScience Logistics LLC discusses supply chain relationships with ODT. For more on the subject, see the supply chain feature from ODT’s Jan/Feb issue.
Ranica Arrowsmith: What is the biggest challenge you face in supply chain relationships?
David Mastromatteo: Developing trust at the outset of the relationship is critical. In some cases it is challenging to prove your competence to all stakeholders in the process. Since supply chain touches almost every process in an organization you need to capture the global view of the entire process from Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality and Finance. You cannot just look at your piece of the supply chain. You must understand the whole picture.
Arrowsmith: In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception out there regarding supply chain practices?
Mastromatteo: I think a big misconception is that there is a computer system or program that can fix everything. There are so many complex processes to follow in a healthcare supply chain that I believe most people would be surprised about how many processes are manual, and are difficult to cost effectively automate.
Arrowsmith: How have your supply chain practices (or your position within the supply chain) adapted or changed over the years? How do you see it changing in the future? What would you like to change?
Mastromatteo: The extension of special unique services offered to clients continue to grow as the market changes. With the ever changing regulatory environment it is necessary to continually improve existing processes as well as implement new ones to continue to be compliant.
Arrowsmith: What are the particular concerns participants within an orthopedic device (as opposed to other kinds of medical devices) supply chain have to pay attention to?
Mastromatteo: Delivery and accuracy are critical. Many orthopedic devices are ordered for specific surgeries taking place at fixed times. A breakdown in the supply chain could cause a surgery to be canceled or rescheduled or an alternative product being used.
Arrowsmith: How do you as a company manage your supply chain relationships effectively and maintain long, productive relationships?
Mastromatteo: We focus on aligning our core values with our client’s up front to develop trust and to assure our collective approach to business is a fit. From there we focus on the client’s special needs and how we can seamlessly integrate to become an extension of their supply chain. Through quarterly business reviews we discuss past performance and future projects. We are constructively dissatisfied and continue to review processes to improve the business of our clients.
Ranica Arrowsmith: What is the biggest challenge you face in supply chain relationships?
David Mastromatteo: Developing trust at the outset of the relationship is critical. In some cases it is challenging to prove your competence to all stakeholders in the process. Since supply chain touches almost every process in an organization you need to capture the global view of the entire process from Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality and Finance. You cannot just look at your piece of the supply chain. You must understand the whole picture.
Arrowsmith: In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception out there regarding supply chain practices?
Mastromatteo: I think a big misconception is that there is a computer system or program that can fix everything. There are so many complex processes to follow in a healthcare supply chain that I believe most people would be surprised about how many processes are manual, and are difficult to cost effectively automate.
Arrowsmith: How have your supply chain practices (or your position within the supply chain) adapted or changed over the years? How do you see it changing in the future? What would you like to change?
Mastromatteo: The extension of special unique services offered to clients continue to grow as the market changes. With the ever changing regulatory environment it is necessary to continually improve existing processes as well as implement new ones to continue to be compliant.
Arrowsmith: What are the particular concerns participants within an orthopedic device (as opposed to other kinds of medical devices) supply chain have to pay attention to?
Mastromatteo: Delivery and accuracy are critical. Many orthopedic devices are ordered for specific surgeries taking place at fixed times. A breakdown in the supply chain could cause a surgery to be canceled or rescheduled or an alternative product being used.
Arrowsmith: How do you as a company manage your supply chain relationships effectively and maintain long, productive relationships?
Mastromatteo: We focus on aligning our core values with our client’s up front to develop trust and to assure our collective approach to business is a fit. From there we focus on the client’s special needs and how we can seamlessly integrate to become an extension of their supply chain. Through quarterly business reviews we discuss past performance and future projects. We are constructively dissatisfied and continue to review processes to improve the business of our clients.