How First Solar is Achieving End-to-End Supply Chain Alignment: A Case Study

We recently completed a case study with First Solar entitled: How First Solar is Achieving End-to-End Supply Chain Alignment.

First Solar is a maker of solar panels, as well as builder and manager of solar power plants. They have a complex product that’s part of an intricate supply chain; the Tempe-based business manages over 3500 suppliers and globally has over 33,000 people in their supply chain network. This case study provides insights on how First Solar is operating effectively amid a volatile environment by achieving high levels of supply chain agility.

As an example, First Solar is able to monitor inventory and understand inventory positions in minutes. They are also modeling sales orders, forecasts and shipments in RapidResponse along with finished goods inventory and projected supply. The team can now provide their Sales team with exact figures of what is available to sell. Within three months of using RapidResponse, they saw a ten percent reduction in overall inventory. Here’s a quote from First Solar’s VP of Global Supply Chain, Shellie Molina:

“The implementation of RapidResponse as our single demand planning tool has given us the cross-functional visibility that we never had before and has opened up the opportunity for us to replace our siloed goals with common goals and objectives across planning functions.”

To learn more, download the case study here.