Quality parts are essential for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Sure, price and turnaround time matter, but they’re irrelevant if you receive faulty fasteners.
Finding a manufacturer and distributor that you trust to provide the highest quality parts for use in your products should be high on your priority list. That demands carefully vetting suppliers to make sure you have a partner that helps your business succeed.
What traits and services should a fastener partner for OEMs have? Look for these benefits:
Quality Standards and Industry Certifications
This comes first because you can’t afford to make sacrifices here. Partners that adhere to industry standards and accreditations like ISO 9001:2015 provide peace of mind and credibility. They should be eager to share certificates of compliance and explain the procedures their team follows to ensure accountability at each step.
Testing services go hand in hand with quality assurance, so work with manufacturers that have ANAB-accredited and ISO 17025-certified labs to evaluate every fastener’s compositions and limits. Expert engineers should oversee the test processes so you can be confident in the work.
The Ability to Both Manufacture and Distribute Fasteners
You’re likely going to need more than standard fasteners. Tackling your toughest challenges often requires custom solutions, so you want a fastener partner with expertise in manufacturing built-to-spec parts.
Their manufacturing process should include a wide range of products to meet varying specifications, requirements, material grades and product types. You want a diverse range of options to meet your specific needs so you’re not scrambling for a solution.
Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) Solutions
OEMs in particular benefit from inventory management services that streamline the supply chain and maximize space. Let your fastener partner manage all the moving pieces so you can focus more on your business.
Ask about VMI services like on-site project management, bin ID tracking and value site stream mapping. The strongest VMI partners are data driven and can help reduce on-hand inventory carrying costs by up to 40%.
A Commitment to Exceptional Customer Service
What happens when you need to reach someone with a question or concern? Your fastener partner should be delivering a seamless and stress-free experience.
Make sure you have a dedicated team or point of contact that responds quickly. They should also become deeply familiar with your business to make personalized recommendations and get you the right materials at the right price.
A Technology-Driven Mindset
The best fastener partners are continuously improving and implementing technologies that raise efficiencies. You want a manufacturer and supplier that’s investing in its success – and yours.
From online ordering portals to traceability through QR codes, technology helps ensure quality control and keeps you a step ahead of your competitors. In your vetting process, ask potential partners about their tech capabilities.
Cost-Effective Solutions
We mentioned price at the beginning, and while it shouldn’t be the first factor you consider, it’s still an important one. You want competitive pricing on orders but be sure to look at your total cost of ownership, which includes downtime and quality issues.
To make a value-driven decision, carefully evaluate reliability, availability, quality and the total cost. Ask about cost-saving measures, such as using standardized components or bulk purchasing, but don’t lose sight of the big picture – ultimately, you want quality products delivered on time and service you can depend on.
Lock Down the Fasteners Your OEM Business Needs
Quality, convenience and service – you need it all from your fastener partner to keep everything together. Prioritize finding the right one so you have more time to develop products that your customers love.
Learn how Birmingham Fastener’s OEM services can produce custom fasteners at any scale.
05/13/2020
