In an economic climate where preserving margins is a major challenge for 73% of French managers (according to the ‘Baromètre des dirigeants français 2025’ report published by Eurogroup Consulting), manufacturers need to rethink their value chain if they are to remain competitive.
The key issue is no longer simply buying directly from the source, but determining what needs to be produced in-house and what needs to be outsourced (or what to produce and what to outsource). This is ‘Make or Buy’ thinking: where does your business create the most value, and how can you optimise the rest of your supply chain?
Make or Buy: a rational approach to maximising value
The challenge is to identify the components or sub-assemblies where your industrial know-how adds real value, and to sub-contract the rest to competitive suppliers. This involves :
- An analysis of the value chain: which essential elements should you keep in-house?
- Optimised sourcing: buying where costs are most competitive without compromising quality.
- Choosing between direct purchase and wholesalers: depending on the volumes required, should you buy direct from the manufacturer or go through an importer for greater flexibility?
Case Study: A Door Manufacturer
Let’s take the example of a door manufacturer who has analysed its value chain. Its expertise lies in machining and customising doors, not in manufacturing raw panels. After an in-depth study, he identified that :
- Door panels can be purchased directly from Asia, to his specifications, reducing his costs while guaranteeing quality and perpetuating his business in France.
- Machining and customisation remain in-house, as this is where he brings the most value and differentiates his product on the market.
How is Eastwise supporting this transformation?
At Eastwise, we are helping manufacturers to structure their ‘Make or Buy’ thinking and identify the best sources of supply in Asia. Our support is based on three pillars:
- Understanding your needs: we analyse your value chain to identify what can be outsourced to make you more competitive.
- Identifying the best sources: we put you in touch with qualified manufacturers, without unnecessary intermediaries.
- Optimising costs and conditions: we negotiate the best purchasing and logistics conditions for you.
For example, our customers save an average of 20-30% on their purchasing costs by going direct to the source.
As you can see, we don’t just offer solutions. We become your strategic partner, supporting you every step of the way.ement des solutions. Nous devenons un partenaire stratégique en vous accompagnant à chaque étape. communication strategy, you position yourself as a credible and serious potential business partner.
Ready to turn your purchasing into a competitive lever?
Reducing costs while optimising quality and flexibility is a major challenge for any manufacturer. With a well-structured approach, you can focus your resources on your core business and buy intelligently. At Eastwise, we’re at your side to meet this challenge and support you every step of the way.
Ready to optimise your purchasing? Contact us for a free diagnostic and start transforming your supply chain today!
