How To Find The Right Bearing Supplier
When your business needs bearings, there are many different suppliers competing for your business. Each supplier has its own marketing pitch – a large manufacturer will say their brand is the only one worth considering, while a small store may focus on a niche market. Finally, which option is right for you and your business?
The truth is, if the bearing supplier can’t meet all your needs, then its size doesn’t matter. There are a variety of factors that can affect the benefits of your bearing supplier to your business. If the vendor ticks all the boxes, you may have found a special partner for your business. If not, it may be time to evaluate other opportunities. The following are five factors that should be considered when cooperating with bearing suppliers.
Bearing quality, variety and price
Choice is a good thing. It’s better to have options that meet or exceed your quality requirements.
Large bearing manufacturers may warn against shopping around for your next bearing order due to “quality issues”. The reality is that the same big manufacturers use smaller manufacturers to make bearings for them and sell them for a bigger profit, whereas you can work with suppliers that allow you to get the same quality parts without a markup. If those smaller bearing manufacturers are good enough for them, shouldn’t they be good enough for you?
If the sales representative questions your decision to shop around, it may be a sign that it’s time to look for another provider. Different manufacturers around the world have different advantages, so it is in your interest to try to find a manufacturer that suits your needs or find a supplier that knows how to identify these manufacturers. Autoround a professional bearing manufacturer not only competes with major manufacturers but also gives you more options to find quality parts at competitive prices.
Provides the ability to customize bearings
“One size fits all” is a good idea when it works, but that’s not always the case. Even if the supplier has a partnership with several different manufacturers, you may need something that goes beyond the conventional bearing solution.
Square pegs do not fit round holes, so it is important to work with suppliers who can customize simpler and better solutions. Some suppliers have an engineering team that can provide bearing design and modification services and work with manufacturers to provide custom-designed bearings to meet your specific application specifications.
Do your bearings need to be made of corrosion-resistant materials? no problem Want thinner bearings in your design that don’t take up too much space? It can be done. Custom bearings provide you with options that can simplify the entire purchasing process, but only if you work with a supplier that can help you go beyond the standard product. In addition, certain vendors can meet smaller minimum order requirements and receive your order in months rather than years. Not only will this save you money up front, but it will also prevent long downtime during work by knowing your location faster.
Order completion degree
The phrase “time is money” is as true today as it was when Benjamin Franklin used it in his advice to a young businessman in 1768. Slow order fulfillment is an unnecessary waste of time and money, which is a problem when major manufacturers can make you wait up to two years to fill your order.
Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for companies that measure order fulfillment in years. Other suppliers can fill orders within a few months. At Autoround, for example, a five-month turnaround period is considered a long delay. Don’t be afraid to ask different vendors how long they expect it to take to fill an order to try to determine which one best fits your schedule.
Another unfortunate side effect of long orders is that some manufacturers or suppliers may try to hit you with a “cost at shipment” policy. You know how it is: the price of bearings is directly affected by the price of the raw materials used to make them, most notably steel. As a result, the amount you pay for an order and the amount you think you will pay for an order can vary significantly depending on the vendor’s pricing policy. However, some suppliers will not change the original quoted price, so ask the potential supplier’s policy ahead of time to find out if your future arrears are likely to be larger than you expect.
Inventory management
Complex is not a word you want to hear in terms of storage. Of course, this may become a reality when you’re dealing with inventory.
Whether it’s an unexpected cost of storage or simply a lack of space, inventory management can quickly become a complex process. This does not have to be the case if you work with a bearing supplier that provides warehouse storage and on-time delivery for all your bearing needs.
Companies can’t always plan for storage, even if you have warehouse storage to begin with. Some vendors keep a wide variety of products on their shelves so they can quickly ship or replace parts when you need them. In addition, having your suppliers shoulder the burden of additional inventory can help you save money in many other ways. Additional warehousing costs include:
- Hire a management team and additional staff
- Maintain security personnel or a central monitoring system
- Make sure you have the right equipment, such as pallets, forklifts, and fuel
- Plan around damaged or missing inventory and wasted space
Personalized Service
Product quality, order fulfillment, custom order ability and inventory management are all hallmarks of a good bearing supplier, but one of the biggest factors has nothing to do with the product. Sometimes it’s about people.
Personalized service can have a significant impact on how you view your bearing supplier. Vendors who handle smaller orders, adhere to contracts, and quickly schedule face-to-face meetings are a major advantage for companies that are used to dealing with vendors who are not willing to offer special solutions tailored to your needs.
Another advantage of bearing suppliers committed to personalized service is that they will not play games with your contract. No one wants to deal with a supplier that changes pricing from the original offer to product delivery, or tries to pull any other shady business. You want to work with a company that provides high quality bearings, not a contract issue.
Cooperate with bearing suppliers that meet all your needs
You’ve got it – five desirable characteristics of a first-class bearing supplier. If you need a bearing supplier that can meet all five criteria, then it’s time to get in touch with Autoround.
At Autoround, we are committed to providing quality bearing products at cost-effective prices, while offering a variety of value-added services to help you make the most of bearing solutions. Not only that, but we like to meet face to face, and we usually schedule appointments within five to seven days of contact. You don’t have to wait to see who you buy from, we will do everything we can to make sure you get the service you deserve.
Want to know more about how Autoround can provide your business with bearing solutions suitable for your application? Ask for a quote or contact us now to get in touch with our team regarding your bearing requirements.