7 Reasons Teledyne FLIR Turns to SmartShield Time and Again

As Told by Teledyne FLIR’s Operations Director, Andy Reid

NOTE FROM SMARTSHIELD: We had the pleasure of receiving a visit from the Teledyne FLIR team earlier this year, after we supported them with an urgent job in December 2023/January 2024. The FLIR team treated the SmartShield team to a “pizza party” and an afternoon of great talks and insights.

In this blog, we’re going to hand the reins over to Andy Reid from Team TeledyneFLIR who’ll talk about the urgency of the brief, and our long-standing relationship, in his own words…

Introduction

I’m Andy Reid, Supply Chain Director for Teledyne FLIR, where we specialize in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones.

Our flagship product is the R70 drone, equipped with various payloads primarily for surveillance purposes. These are not your typical consumer drones; they perform exceptional work.

1. SmartShield’s Agility with Urgent Projects

In November and December, we had an urgent customer requirement that needed immediate action. I approached Ben and Ashley at SmartShield to ask if they could design, build, and deliver a drone case before the end of the year.

Typically, this process would take 6-8 weeks, but we needed it done in about a week or two, with ongoing design changes. SmartShield delivered, which was incredible for us at Teledyne FLIR. I know it impacted their lives during the holiday season (and I’m truly sorry for that!)

2. Supporting us with Packaging Challenges

When it comes to packaging, we face significant challenges.

Firstly, while our engineering team excels in designing, testing, and manufacturing drones and payloads, packaging often becomes a lower priority. This means we frequently rush to get the right packaging at the end of the process.

Secondly, we do small volume shipping, which involves a lot of cardboard, bubble wrap, and foam. I worry about the environmental impact and landfill waste. We are working on returnable packaging solutions, particularly for shipments to our US affiliate, to reduce landfill contributions.

Knowing we’re working on being as sustainable as we can be is a good feeling.

3. Long-Standing Relationship

I’ve been with Teledyne FLIR for six years, and SmartShield has been our packaging partner even before my tenure. Brandon, who has been running our shipping department for 11 years, brought SmartShield on board.

We deal with SmartShield daily and see them at our facility weekly. They are a reliable partner, understanding the urgency of our delivery requirements and consistently providing excellent quality packaging.

(Drone pictured is not a production version)

4. SmartShield’s Reliability and Flexibility

Teledyne FLIR’s volumes have increased significantly over time, necessitating a reliable packaging firm.

SmartShield has proven to be our go-to company. They understand our urgent deadlines and deliver perfect quality packaging within our timeline.

I work closely with several people at SmartShield, including Ben, Ashley, Sam, Mark, Chris, and others. During the hectic period in November and December 2023, Ben and Ashley were my daily contacts, often during evenings and early mornings. Their dedication is remarkable.

5. Diverse Industrial Packaging Solutions

SmartShield provides a variety of packaging solutions for us, including cardboard and foam inserts and mission-critical cases.

They offer various delivery and payment options, such as VMI scenarios, pre-pay scenarios, and purchase orders based on forecasts and demand plans. This flexibility is invaluable to us.

6. No Worries about Bad Packaging

Poor packaging can have severe consequences for us.

Our drones undergo significant testing, and any damage due to inadequate packaging can be dangerous. SmartShield’s packaging goes through rigorous verification and validation tests, ensuring nothing gets damaged.

We collaborate closely with SmartShield to perfect the packaging design - testing several times, each time - before shipping to customers. I have peace of mind knowing the packaging is as secure as it’s possible to be.

 7. Meeting Tight Deadlines

In November 2023, we received a large order requiring a non-standard case. This posed a challenge as we needed to complete the order within a very short window to achieve our 2023 revenue targets.

Despite the tight timeline, SmartShield rose to the challenge, delivering the new case design within a fraction of the usual time. Their commitment allowed us to package and ship the order to the customer before January 1, 2024.

Recommendation

Would I recommend SmartShield?

Absolutely.

I frequently speak to colleagues in the US about SmartShield’s reliability, quality, and commitment. All of these things make them an invaluable partner for Teledyne FLIR.

Conclusion

SmartShield’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in our success at Teledyne FLIR. Their ability to meet tight deadlines with top-notch quality packaging ensures our drones are safe and ready for operation.

We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continued collaboration.

Until next time,
Andy Reid, Supply Chain Director, Teledyne FLIR