Wesco Helps Cloud Technology Provider Complete Data Center Builds

Challenge

A large, world-leading provider of cloud technologies didn’t become “world-leading” by following the pack and accepting the status quo. In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, when there was widespread low inventory and drastic industrial supply chain disruptions on cable, this company didn’t just wait it out. Because cable is a primary driver of schedules, the company knew a plan was needed or build projects -  including projected revenue - could be delayed by a year or more. The company reached out to Wesco to help mitigate cable sourcing issues so it could continue delivering the cloud technologies customers depended on.

Solution

As a leading global supply chain solutions provider, Wesco had the knowledge, experience and resources to help the company overcome sourcing challenges and deliver its data center builds on time. Our Wesco team of sales, operations and inventory management experts met with the company to understand its data center build forecast for the next three to five years including size, location and start and end dates. We developed a supply chain services program to help with sourcing, increase productivity and improve safety.

Wesco worked with our extensive supplier network and across national distribution centers to coordinate a quarterly rolling inventory specifically for this company. We currently have five distribution centers across the country storing $15 to $18 million of medium and low voltage cable to meet the demands of the company’s upcoming data center builds. The company’s contractors purchase this stock from Wesco in segments, as needed to meet the build deadlines. This model ensures the stock is available and provides the customer just-in-time (JIT) delivery of the materials to the jobsites, eliminating downtime and freeing up cash-flow for the client.

The company has also increased productivity and improved safety with Wesco’s installation enhancement services:

• Insta-Reel, a standard wooden reel with flanges attached to both sides, becomes a payout stand when chocked in place. It is pre-loaded with cable and completely assembled. We drop it into place, and the workers pull the cable - without lifting or moving heavy material.
• Pre-installed pulling eyeseliminate on-site termination. Staggered lanyards make cabling easier to pull in conduit, provide greater security than grips and prevent long term moisture with end caps.
• Paralleling cable allows multiple conductors to be pulled simultaneously, reducing the number of reels to manage on-site.