01 / The problem
A supplier price needs an engineering reference.
The sourcing team needed a cost basis it could check against real manufacturing costs. A total price could not explain whether a difference came from material, process choice, machine time or a commercial term.
02 / Our solution
Build the cost from the manufacturing work.
LevelPlane connects part requirements, manufacturing routes and factory assumptions to an operation-level cost breakdown. The buyer can inspect the inputs behind the estimate and compare them with the supplier’s quotation.
03 / How we did it
Use actual cost as the reference.
The evaluation covered 500+ production parts at one automotive OEM. LevelPlane’s estimates were compared with actual cost, with the manufacturing route and cost assumptions available for engineering review.
Result: estimates within 5% of that reference.
04 / What LevelPlane added
A cost the team can explain and challenge.
The estimate retains the manufacturing reasoning: which route, which machines, which rates and which production assumptions. Engineers can trace a difference to the input that needs correction, while procurement keeps the same cost basis for supplier discussions.
05 / Business benefits
A reliable reference for sourcing decisions.
Estimates within 5% of actual cost.
Benchmarked in one automotive OEM engagement.
The team has a cost reference grounded in production results and a breakdown it can use to question supplier prices. Engineering and procurement can review the same assumptions before accepting a cost or taking a position in a negotiation.
Reported results from this OEM engagement. The accuracy figure refers to cost estimates within 5% of actual cost.
Customer identity withheld. Results reported by LevelPlane.
