As a business in the industrial or commercial sector, it is imperative that the supplies required are never more than a phone call away. Having the confidence in knowing the supplier goes the extra mile to fill the order and deliver it on time and without errors creates a positive impact on your business.
Choosing an industrial supplier is not just about the price, although the price is important. However, paying a few cents less on parts and materials is not cost-effective if the supplier fails to deliver on your schedule or promises products that are not delivered.
When considering an industrial supplier, look at price as the deciding factor once the list is narrowed down based on the other criteria.
Inventory On-Hand
The best suppliers for industrial products and materials carry a significant on-hand inventory. This is not just the easy to find items, but even the hard to locate parts that you may require for specialized jobs and projects.
The optimal industrial supplier is able to work directly with the OEMs, handling the sourcing of all the materials you need for the project as part of the services they provide.
VMI
In any type of company with a large part and component turnover, working with a supplier that offers a VMI or Vendor Managed Inventory is an ideal option. This allows the supplier to manage your in-house inventory, ensuring that your supplies are always maintained at a level you determine.
These companies should offer a dedicated team for your business, allowing the supplier to take over all of the responsibilities of inventory control, procurement, freight, and a range of other services. In working with one supplier, the entire ordering, receiving, accounting, and supply chain system is streamlined, saving not only the cost but also time.
