Running a business, particularly one requiring industrial hardware, is no cakewalk in this age. On the one hand, the competition is getting intense by the minute, while there are other rising concerns, such as cybersecurity, marketing, and keeping costs down. Keeping procurement costs down is critical to running a viable and profitable business.
As you can imagine, keeping industrial hardware procurement costs down isn’t as easy as it sounds. While you want to keep the costs down, you can’t compromise material quality and after-sales service. That’s why you need to straighten your budget before meeting an industrial hardware supplier.
Let’s understand the five steps involved in this.
Start with a Thorough Cost Analysis
The first step in budgeting for your industrial hardware supplier is to analyze the costs. Before you browse the hardware you need or start drafting a budget, take a look at the overall costs. A thorough cost analysis will help you create a suitable spending plan to meet your hardware requirements.
When buying industrial hardware, you have to consider the following costs.
- Immediate or upfront costs.
- If you are getting a business loan, then down payment, interest rate, loan tenure, and depreciation.
- Maintenance and repair costs.
- Transportation and installation costs.
Remember, you can overestimate the costs as you will need cash to handle unexpected expenses. However, under no circumstances underestimate these costs. It’s often overwhelming to handle these expenses, especially for SMEs. And yes, don’t forget to talk to your industrial hardware supplier for a better cost estimate.
Get an Estimate of Your Projected Revenue
If you are a business owner, you know how critical it is to get your projected revenue. Projected revenue, when done correctly, allows you to budget your expenditures, including the budget for your industrial hardware distributor. Moreover, you can borrow capital for industrial hardware procurement if necessary.
But there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Keep your projections as realistic as possible.
- Consider your previous year’s revenue figures as a reference point for this year’s projections.
- Think about how much of the revenue can go towards industrial hardware procurement.
- Understand other factors such as inflation, increased fuel, transportation costs, taxes, etc.
In other words, keep your projections as thorough as possible. This will help you plan even the smallest cost fluctuations more accurately. Speak with your industrial hardware supplier to make an informed decision.
Never Compromise on Quality
When purchasing industrial hardware like a double block & bleed valve, wire rope chains, and pneumatic hoses, you would want it to last long.
Otherwise, what would be the point of investing in them if they won’t last more than a year? Besides, you will use almost all of your industrial hardware similar to the ones mentioned above and others in harsh work environments, so to last longer, they would have to be of great build quality.
For instance, double block & bleed valves used in the oil and gas industry are used rigorously to bleed any pressure that remains in oil pipes. Likewise, wire rope chains are used to lift heavy items like concrete slabs, pipes, and skip bins. Pneumatic hoses are used rigidly in manufacturing facilities to convey pressurized air to valves, actuators, tools, and other devices.
Buying run-off-the-mill industrial equipment can cost you dearly down the line. Compromising on quality will result in the following:
- Unexpected equipment failure.
- Increased maintenance and repair costs.
- Project delays and consequent financial losses.
- Accidents lead to severe injuries and even death.
Safety equipment such as hard hats, goggles, fire-resistant clothing, and steel-toe boots are also considered industrial hardware. To ensure workers’ safety, these items must also be of high quality, which can withstand the rigors of the job. Poorly manufactured safety equipment can lead to accidents and injuries, so it is essential to invest in quality safety products with the help of reputed suppliers (such as Unigloves–unigloves.co.uk/ for buying safety gloves). To run an efficient manufacturing business, it is essential to invest in quality hardware and safety products from reputed suppliers.
In short, you need equipment that can withstand extreme heat or cold, chemical exposure, salt water, and high humidity. When buying the item, talk to your industrial hardware distributor about your specific requirements.
Double Check Your Spending Goals
The next step in budgeting for your industrial hardware supplier is to set and double-check your spending goals. Every business, small or big, has spending goals. These goals outline how much you can spend on industrial hardware, utility, debt, salaries, etc.
Simply put, this provides a system to check if you are spending your money for the right reasons and on the right things. That’s the very purpose of double-checking your spending goals.
For example, spending money buying a crane isn’t a good idea. For starters, you will need cranes with different specifications for different jobs. Cranes are also costly to maintain and repair. Instead, you can rent a crane as needed and spend the money you saved on other industrial hardware.
Negotiate with Your Industrial Hardware Supplier
The final step in budgeting for your industrial hardware distributor is negotiating the costs. It’s always better to chat with your supplier and get discounted rates. Most industrial hardware suppliers would be open to negotiations.
But keep the following things in mind when negotiating.
- Focus on a deal that’s good for both parties. Negotiate fairly and with respect.
- Understand what your supplier needs and what motivates them.
- Keep it coordinated. Make sure everyone is on the same page.
- It’s okay if your negotiation hits a brick wall. Some deals just don’t work. Better accept it and move on.
In Conclusion
Budgeting is essential when buying industrial hardware. More importantly, you will need to create a budget before calling the supplier. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind when doing so. It will help you get a fair price for your hardware and save money in the long run. Hopefully, these five tips will help you prepare your budget before approaching your distributor.
Author Bio: I am Randy Gonzales. I am the President of Elite Sales Inc, a rigging equipment and wire rope distribution company based in Miami, Tampa, Houston, and Dyer. I have more than 30 years of experience in the distribution and supply of industrial hardware industry.
