AIA Features | SMC Spotlight: Will Scott

SMC Spotlight: Will Scott
Worldwide Managing Director, Waer Systems
By Anne Wiskerchen

Will Scott lives a global life personally and professionally. Born in Africa, Will has also lived in South America and Europe before making the mid-western United States his home. His prior experience includes global distribution networks and international sourcing in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical equipment industries. He received an MBA from University of Southern California, and now runs the fast growing Waer Systems he started in Naperville, Ill.

Scott has taken his global knowledge and become a tireless industry champion for improving the efficiency of aircraft manufacture. "The opportunity to reduce costs and increase the visibility and control of aerospace components is massive," said Scott. Waer Systems combine their technology with their experience in best practice to offer their customers a unique on-demand solution for replenishment management, kitting and point of use systems.

In just a few years, the company has become a connector between leading aerospace companies by helping power an integrated worldwide supply chain. Waer Systems’ solutions connect an impressive number of original equipment manufactures, distributors, and suppliers by helping them better manage their C-Class parts supply chains, both upstream and downstream.

"This is an exciting time for us because market uptake of the pull-based systems that we supply is increasing along with their perceived value." said Scott. Our biggest challenge has been resistance to change but those customers that have embraced supplier collaboration can’t get enough of it."

"We understand that being at the leading edge of any technology means spending time and effort educating customers," Scott said. "But it has been frustrating knowing that we can help the industry remove layers of cost and gain more control at the same time."

Working with companies from Airbus to Bombardier and Alcoa to Honeywell over the last 10 years, Waer Systems has continually developed new solutions to automate the replenishment process and to provide visibility for Oems and their suppliers.

"We are proud to be part of a team that has helped Airbus generate over $15 million in hard savings – as well as helped them enjoy the full benefits of a leading-edge replenishment and inventory control solution," said Scott.

AIA has assisted Waer Systems by giving the company a home within the industry - somewhere to interact with like minded people who care about improving the industry and forging relationships.

"We have been able to get glimpses into larger-sized organizations that we would not have been able to get otherwise," Scott said. "We have also been able to work alongside other members of AIA and the SMC, meeting great people and learning more about companies and solutions that make the industry what it is."

Scott encourages fellow suppliers to embrace change, make our industry more competitive and keep high value jobs inAmerica.

"Use technology to automate the non-value added portions of what you provide to your customers," he said. "This will make it easier for your customers to work with you and it will reduce costs.

Waer Systems
Waer Systems provides world-class Inventory and Replenishment Management Systems to help manufacturers and suppliers gain optimal profitability from their supply chains, as well as increase their overall control and visibility. Wear specializes in designing and implementing lean techniques and processes into the distribution and warehouse environments - with a focus on the aerospace and defense industries.

Web site: www.waersystems.com