Polaris, maker of compact utility vehicles, is building equipment based on what parts are available at the time, reports the Wall Street Journal (link requires subscription).
As with most manufacturers, Polaris is dealing with supply chain disruptions that are causing specific yet rolling shortages. The article points out that the company does not always know which part will be the problem.
Its solution, however, is to shift production to products for which it does have adequate supply of parts. One day it’s building the four-seater compact utility vehicle, but when foam seats run low, it shifts it manufacturing lines to building two-seat models, according to the report.
The company has also redesigned gauges “on the fly,” using different semiconductor chips when the specific part supply is hampered, the paper reports.
Source: Wall Street Journal