If you belong to a Mid-Size Manufacturer or a large OEM, you already understand the importance of having reliable suppliers to keep production on schedule. This underscores the impact that poor vendor selection can have – leading to costly delays, inconsistent quality, and frustrating communication breakdowns. If you face these challenges too, you’re not alone; many across the industry struggle to find dependable suppliers that can meet their needs. At Hill Manufacturing and Fabrication, with nearly 50 years of experience, we understand the pain of coordinating multiple manufacturing processes while managing quality assurance and timely delivery. So much so, that we’ve developed an operational process that results in a simplified supply chain and dependable results for our customer base. Becoming a top performing vendor for OEMs and other manufacturers hasn’t happened by accident. Through this process, we’ve come to understand what really matters in a healthy vendor relationship.
Have you had enough of missed deadlines due to a vendor’s unreliability or receiving substandard parts that require rework? Vendor-related issues like these can keep you awake at night, making you wonder if you’ll be able to deliver on your commitments to your own customers. Our experience at Hill has taught us that careful vendor selection and evaluation is essential to solving these challenges. Here are five common mistakes you should avoid when selecting vendors:
Neglecting to Research Vendor Reliability.
It can be tempting to just go with the lowest bid. Don’t. Instead, investigate their track record. Look closely at client reviews and references. The right vendor won’t only provide timely deliveries and consistent quality, but also flexibility and adaptability to your changing needs.
Overlooking Quality Control Processes.
Everyone claims that they take quality seriously, and yet not all vendors do in practice. Ensure your vendors have established quality assurance procedures in place. Ask about them. Better yet, visit a potential vendor’s shop in person to see it in action. On-time delivery only matters when the parts are good. Non-conformance wastes precious time.
Failing to Assess Capacity.
Understand whether the vendor has the production capacity to meet your needs, not just today, but as your needs change and grow. This foresight will prevent headaches down the line. Ideally find a vendor with additional capacity in place in case of machine failures or sudden surges in demand so that they can scale up production easily if needed.
Ignoring Communication Channels.
Strong communication with suppliers is vital. If your vendors aren’t communicative under normal conditions, chances are they won’t be communicative in critical circumstances either. Poor communication is a red flag. Put the channels in place to discuss project expectations, timelines, and feedback thoroughly to build a productive relationship.
Disregarding Cultural Fit.
A vendor’s business culture should align with your own. At Hill, our team of entrepreneurial-minded manufacturing professionals get along great with our customers. This has led to strong partnerships that are built on trust. So if you’re evaluating vendors or looking for new ones, consider partnering with suppliers who share similar values, ensuring easier collaboration and a productive relationship.
Let’s acknowledge that this isn’t always easy.
Good vendors can be hard to find and strong business relationships take time to establish. But here’s the thing: you shouldn’t have to pay the price of a vendor’s incompetence. If you’re experiencing delays and quality issues, then you need to consider refining your vendor list. Fewer reliable vendors will always outperform a long list of problematic ones. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you not only secure reliable partnerships but also foster a much more efficient supply chain that enables your business to succeed long-term..
If you’re ready to enhance your vendor selection process, the first step is to book a call with us at Hill Manufacturing and Fabrication. Let’s discuss how we can be a strong and dependable supplier for you, leading to a steady supply of install-ready parts delivered on time, every time.