Proper materials management key to tackling rail hitches

I refer to the letter “Take holistic approach to improve rail reliability” (March 16). Having worked in multinational companies as a materials manager for 20 years, I recognise the importance of production control, materials requirement planning, stock handling, contract strategy, price monitoring, tender valuation, vendor rating, incoming inspection, et cetera, as industry concerns.

Regrettably, however, these aspects of materials management are not well regarded by top managements here. This could cause problems. For example, the incorrect identification of a power cable or cable tie can bring a train to a standstill.

I hope that SMRT Corporation can adopt a multidisciplinary approach to tackling its operational hitches.