Our 5-axis machine shop is known for producing high-value contract manufacturing solutions for challenging industries and high-precision applications. Reata Engineering knows that on-time delivery is one of the most important metrics our customers rely on. Whether we’re producing tight-tolerance medical components or running projects that require complex assemblies, consistent and reliable delivery is non-negotiable.
We recently published a blog about where AI fits and doesn’t fit into our processes, in which we introduced how Reata is using automation to streamline backend workflows. This time, we’re excited to share the next stage of that work: artificial intelligence designed specifically to improve vendor performance and strengthen our supply chain, with the ultimate goal of improving on-time delivery for our customers.
Why Vendor Performance Matters for On-Time Delivery
Even the most advanced precision machine shop can be slowed down by a single late vendor. Managing dozens of suppliers with their own systems and communication habits has historically demanded significant manual oversight.
Our team has long been responsible for tracking vendor updates, processing lead time changes, responding to engineering questions, and ensuring materials or outside processes arrive on schedule. The complexity grows as Reata manages:
- Multi-step workflows and specialized processes, like anodizing and plating
- High-mix, high-complexity parts that require multiple handoffs
When vendors fall behind, on-time delivery becomes harder to achieve, no matter how efficient our internal processes are.
Introducing AI-Powered Vendor Communication
To increase consistency and improve on-time delivery, Reata is building an AI agent that will fully manage communication with many of our vendors. This is where the real impact happens.
Our new vendor portal already sends suppliers a weekly list of their open orders so they can update promised dates and add notes. That information flows directly into our ERP system, Fulcrum. However, not every one of our vendors updates regularly. That’s where AI steps in.
How the AI agent works
Our in-development AI agent will:
- Communicate directly with vendors every day
- Request updated delivery dates
- Follow up automatically when something is overdue
- Track communication history for every job
- Forward questions or clarifications to the right Reata member
- Store all vendor performance data for future reference
- Recognize repeated issues and adjust communication accordingly
That means when a vendor asks a technical question, the AI agent will automatically send the inquiry to the relevant individual, get the response, and relay it back to the vendor. This simple process closes communication loops quickly and clearly, reducing delays that impact on-time delay.
Using AI to Benchmark Vendor Performance
We’re not stopping at communication. Reata is conducting a full internal evaluation on every vendor scenario, grading each supplier’s performance, and feeding that information back to the AI agent.
Over time, the system becomes increasingly smarter about:
- Predicting late deliveries
- Identifying at-risk orders
- Recommending alternate suppliers
- Suggesting process improvements
This level of insight, enhanced through AI, directly strengthens our ability to maintain competitive lead times.
Next-Generation AI Tools Coming to Reata
We’ve partnered with a San Francisco startup building an AI-native email platform. This will allow our agent to communicate seamlessly with our vendors. Soon, the system will also be able to:
- Request RFQs automatically
- Provide vendors with secure links to drawings
- Place data into Fulcrum or Paperless Parts, our quoting platform
- Draft or update quotes
- Support advanced workflows tied to Design for Manufacturing
Internally, our AI assistant, which we’ve named “Rae,” already creates maintenance work orders and performs diagnostics. And this is only the beginning of what Rae is capable of.
AI Improves On-Time Delivery, But People Remain at the Center
While AI dramatically improves organization, visibility, and timeliness, deep customer communication will always come from our people. Relationships matter, and always will.
As we continue refining and expanding these tools, one thing is clear: artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful accelerator for more reliable on-time delivery. By reducing manual noise and optimizing vendor management, our team can focus on higher-value work, and our customers get a stronger, more predictable supply chain.
Stay tuned, because big things are coming at Reata. Be sure to follow along to see what we’re up to, and don’t hesitate to connect with our team when you’re ready to kick off your next project.