OEMs require a wide range of fasteners for any given project. Your average building materials retailer will not carry hard to find fasteners on the shelf, and OEMs need to find a go-to source in order to keep their business growing and the production line moving. Business owners and purchasing managers have two options when looking for hard to find fasteners-deal with a manufacturer or a fastener distributor. Look at the possibilities and decide which path your company needs to head down in order to secure every fastener required.
Straight to the Manufacturer
Some OEMs find that going straight to the source is the ideal choice. Building relationships with manufacturers will allow an OEM to have fasteners made to their specifications, but those relationships must be maintained throughout the entire production cycle. This could prove to be difficult, especially if the manufacturers are located overseas and your product requires several different specialty fasteners.
If you can locate a domestic manufacturer that will work within your specifications for a reasonable price and produce hard to find fasteners at the rate your project requires, grab the opportunity. Be sure they are reliable and easy to contact. Those with the capabilities to manufacture multiple types of fasteners are best. Many OEMs find it difficult to maintain a number of these relationships, and may turn to another option to save time and money.
Whether you need hard to find fasteners in metric or inch dimensions, a professional manufacturer should be able to offer on time service at a reasonable price, allowing you to get on with the business of production.
Talk to an Established Fastener Distributor
Some fastener distributors have the ability to fabricate or source custom-made fasteners for OEM clients. This service is invaluable for hard to find fasteners, since the fastener distributor acts as a knowledgeable go-between and facilitates orders for the OEM.
OEMs must collect certain information and pass that onto their distributor, who will in turn reach out to their manufacturers for a quotation. Be sure to let the distributor know what you need in terms of quantity, as well as the size required and preferred material and finish. Think about the desired head style as well, including any specifics about the appearance and fit. Put these specifications together, along with any additional description that may help to create an accurate quote.
Once you have built a relationship with a fastener distributor you trust, they can become your source for all types of hard to find fasteners. Need a custom-sized bolt in a certain head style and finish? Contact your fastener distributor, who will obtain the product at an affordable price and pass it on to you at a modest markup.
Some OEMs may consider going straight to the manufacturer in an effort to save money, but all factors must be taken into account. If you're spending a significant amount of time contacting various manufacturers, instead of using that time to develop your business, paying the fastener distributor a modest fee to source all of your fasteners makes sense.
When OEMs are on the look out for hard to find fasteners, either a manufacturer or fastener distributor will fit the bill. Weigh all of your options and make the best choice for your business.
Mike Moore is published on more than 300 websites. He writes about industrial fasteners and building, commercial building, and home building projects . He is published on various website including http://www.melfast.com