Case Study: Tier-1 Defense Contractor achieves supply chain resilience with Xometry

Tier-1 Defense Contractor achieves 93% on-time shipping with Xometry

A Tier-1 defense contractor faced significant challenges in procuring components for a munitions drone program. Their supply chain was fragmented, requiring them to manage dozens of suppliers for a diverse bill of materials that included CNC machined parts, 3D printed components, sheet metal, and specialized electronics like PCBs and wire harnesses. The strict quality requirements and tight timeline for first-article qualification threatened costly project delays, leading them to seek a solution from Xometry.

Xometry leveraged its extensive manufacturing network and supply-chain-as-a-service model to become a single point of procurement. Their dedicated program management team prioritized critical path parts, integrated quality assurance inspections, and strategically distributed work across 15 specialized partners. This approach resulted in a 93% on-time shipping rate for first articles. As a result, Xometry provided the defense contractor with a resilient, risk-proof supply chain, including proactive dual-sourcing strategies for future production phases.