By B.C. Manion
Timing isn’t everything, but it plays a huge role in Sensible Micro Corporation’s business plan.
The Odessa company specializes in critical supply chain solutions or, to put it more simply — it helps companies keep production lines going by supplying parts that are hard to find.
“We pride ourselves on quality parts that get them out of a jam,” said Chris Torrioni, president of the company at 2339 Destiny Way.
The company distributes electronics components such as processors, memory capacitors and semiconductors used by original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing services.
“Our parts go in everything from ATM machines to data processing systems to navigation devices, medical instruments, automotive electronic systems. The list goes on and on,” Torrioni said. Customers also include aerospace and defense conglomerates.
The company focuses on time-sensitive issues, Torrioni said.
The idea is to get ahead of the curve by studying trends so they can anticipate where shortages will occur, he said. It also keeps tab on sources of highly sought after inventory.
Much of Sensible’s business stems from lead-time issues relating to emerging markets, Torrioni said.
“We chase the money. We try to find out what’s going on with the market,” Torrioni said.
The company also specializes in finding so-called obsolete or end of life components that are needed by its customers to build equipment to fulfill current orders, he said.
“We’re like a professional sourcing partner,” Torrioni said.
“What happens is you’ve got large aerospace or defense companies who have been building for the government for 30 or 40 years, and they’ve spec’d these parts that have gone obsolete 20 years ago. And then the Air Force says, ‘Oh, we want another 200 units,” Torrioni said.
“We might have a customer in California who is no longer using this product and we can match that product to a customer in New York who absolutely needs it,” he said.
“We’ve probably got 200,000 line items of available inventory. We’re working with global companies.
“We’re on the phone with six different countries before 9 a.m.,” he said.
Apparently, the company has found a niche in the market.
It has enjoyed enormous growth during its short history, ranking No. 429 among the nation’s 500 fastest-growing companies in 2009, according to Inc. Magazine.
The company began as a two-man shop, Torrioni and his dad, Fred.
Now, about two dozen employees work at the company’s 5,500-square-foot office.
It also has big plans.
It is building a 20,000-square-foot office in Oldsmar, where it will have more room for inventory and will be able to set up onsite testing, to protect its customers against counterfeit parts.
“Right now, we have to outsource all of the lab work. We want to have it in house, a one-stop shop,” he said.
That will be better for customers because the company will be able to fulfill assignments more quickly — without waiting for a lab to return results.
Customers have to be able to trust the quality of the parts they’re receiving, Torrioni said.
“Our biggest thing is transparency with the customer, so they know what they are getting,” he said.
The company also plans to expand its staff after it moves to its new quarters.
“We’ll be able to fit up to 50 sales reps on the floor,” Torrioni said.
