Bridge, Digital Manufacturing Software Solution
Case Study
Digital Transformation Continued
Baxter Aerospace has taken another significant step in its end-to-end digital transformation.
After successfully connecting its engineering and manufacturing functions with Onshape and Bridge in December 2024 (see case study: end-to-end digital continuity implemented), Baxter recently expanded its digital footprint by implementing Bridge’s supply chain and warehouse management functions.
Baxter Aerospace, a rapidly growing engineering and manufacturing company based in St. George, Utah, specializes in nuclear, aerospace, and communication technologies. The company focuses on producing prototypes for fire commanders, complex make-to-order equipment, and low-volume configurable products using various processes, including machining, composite work, electronics, avionics, and mechanical assembly.
As Baxter Aerospace expanded, its CEO and Co-Founder, Jeff Baxter, recognized the need for end-to-end digital continuity—a capability that had proven invaluable during his tenure at SpaceX. With increasing product complexity and diversity, Baxter aimed to ensure that his company maintained efficiency and quality while keeping costs under control.
Baxter Aerospace’s Goals Were Clear:
- Accelerate New Product Introduction (NPI).
- Deliver high-quality products and services at optimal costs.
- Position and prepare the company for rapid growth in 2025.
To support these goals, Baxter selected Bridge at the end of 2024 and has actively transformed its internal processes to take full advantage of the technology.
Why Baxter Chose Bridge For Supply Chain And Warehouse Management Digitalization
Several key factors influenced Baxter’s decision to extend its digital transformation with Bridge:
- Broad Scope:Adding replenishment and warehouse management to the existing engineering and production platform eliminated challenges such as integration complexity, technology compatibility, data conversion, and training overhead.
- Progressive Implementation:Despite the significant scope expansion, the project was smooth and quick—completed in just six weeks.
- Cost-Effectiveness:A short project timeline, no integration overhead, no additional hardware or IT involvement, and minimal internal resource commitment led to an unbeatable cost-to-value ratio.
- Industry Expertise:Bridge’s team provided the necessary functional expertise to design fully integrated end-to-end supply chain processes.
Phase 2 Scope: Supply Chain Integration
Since the go-live of Phase 1, Baxter Aerospace engineers have used PTC Onshape (to manage product design and engineering bills of material [eBOMs]) and Bridge (to model routings, work instructions, and manufacturing bills of material [mBOMs]). Production leads configure and plan multi-level production orders in Bridge, guiding and controlling all manufacturing operations, tracking non-conformance and rework, and maintaining extensive traceability.
With engineering and manufacturing connected, it was time to digitalize the rest of the supply chain:
- Automated Procurement:Create procurement requests from work order component lists—a crucial function for make-to-order and prototype production.
- Purchase Order Management: Convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders, including approval workflows.
- Streamlined Receiving: Inspect, count, sort, pack, and label incoming products, ensuring upstream traceability.
- Inventory Security: Track inventory operations with systematic location and container scanning, including lot and serial number tracking.
- Optimized Replenishment: Support both kitting processes and just-in-time replenishment signals.
- Shortage Management: Address inventory shortages to expedite missing parts from the receiving dock to production.
- Real-Time Consumption Tracking: Provide planners with real-time visibility to synchronize warehouse and production activities.
- Shipping & Traceability: Secure the shipping process while building downstream traceability.
- End-to-End Traceability: Link engineering, production, and logistics traceability from vendor receipt to customer shipment.
Business Value: What It Brings to Baxter Aerospace
- Secure Replenishment: Reduced risks of ordering incorrect products, creating obsolete inventory, or experiencing shortages.
- Faster Procurement: Digital validation and approvals streamline procurement workflows.
- Efficient Invoice Control: Digital approvals and four-way invoice matching improve accuracy.
- Inventory Security: 2D barcode labeling ensures complete inventory accuracy.
- Assembly Efficiency: Kitting by scanning minimizes assembly errors.
- Shortage Resolution Acceleration: Cross-docking functions expedite missing part delivery.
- Optimized Line Replenishment: Just-in-time and digital kitting reduce production delays.
- Reduced Shipping Errors: Systematic product scanning minimizes client claims.
- Comprehensive Traceability: Continuous tracking from vendor receipt to customer shipment enhances process transparency.
6-Week Implementation Timeline: This is how long it took to implement Baxter’s digital supply chain
Week 1:
- Understand Baxter’s logistics models, constraints, and expectations.
Weeks 2-3:
- Define the right balance between control and flexibility.
- Enhance Bridge with additional features to support Baxter’s supply chain flows.
Weeks 4-5:
- Configure warehouse structure and production locations.
- Define and implement labeling for locations and containers.
- Configure Bridge transactions.
Week 6: Go-Live
- Train personnel on procurement, warehouse receiving, kitting, and shipping.
- Convert existing inventory and WIP.
- Provide go-live support.
Conclusion
In less than five months, Baxter Aerospace has digitalized most of its engineering and supply chain operations, bringing its enterprise processes to the level of the most advanced high-tech companies.
✅ End-to-end digital continuity from engineering to production and repair
✅ Digital supply chain and warehouse management from replenishment to shipping
✅ Seamless system integration from CAD–MDM (PTC Onshape) to MOM (Bridge) and ERP (QuickBooks)