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3 Guidelines for Efficiently Procuring Replacement Parts

Specialty Carbon Graphite Parts

It can’t be said enough: time is money. You lose time and money when your equipment is down and must stop production. Getting production equipment back up and running quickly will save money and protect customer relationships. Do you struggle with keeping your equipment online because you don’t have a responsive vendor for replacement parts? You are not alone. Following three simple guidelines can avoid frustration, roadblocks, and profit loss.

Seek a Reliable Vendor for Your Replacement Parts

Many businesses have trouble when seeking replacement parts. They are under the impression that OEM parts are the only option. OEM parts are always an option. New engineering technologies allow many companies to efficiently secure replacement parts with the exact specifications elsewhere. Companies want vendors that respond to their needs quickly without repeating their demands for production and fast delivery.

replacement parts
Figure 1: CLICK HERE to Learn More About Customer Service and How It Impacts Customers’ Decisions

The trouble with OEM parts providers is that they often have very long lead times.  It can take hours to days to get a response from an OEM parts supplier. It can take weeks for delivery, and in some cases, the OEM parts are no longer manufactured.  When time is money, most businesses simply don’t have the time to wait to get back online. This is why they are turning to replacement parts providers that respond in hours and begin manufacturing right away.

Access a Replacement Parts Vendor with Advanced Engineering Expertise

Accessing OEM parts is not always as efficient as you need it to be. Businesses should work with a replacement parts vendor that offers advanced engineering expertise. OEMs used to be the standard when needing replacement parts. Some vendors can recreate even the most obscure parts.

Working with a parts provider that is well-versed in parts will ensure a couple of essential things. First, it will ensure that you can quickly access the parts you need when you need them. You don’t have to wait weeks to source a discontinued part. Why go to an OEM when you can work with a vendor who can recreate your piece in 24 hours?

replacement parts vendor
Figure 2: Learn More About Choosing a Vendor

Additionally, when working with a vendor with advanced engineering expertise, you don’t have to be concerned with whether a piece can be sourced or if the original distributor is still manufacturing it.

If a piece of outdated equipment is still operational, but the OEM no longer makes the parts, there may be pressure to buy all-new equipment. When you work with a custom parts supplier, you can have parts reverse-engineered despite OEM suppliers no longer having access to the parts. The custom parts vendor can recreate virtually any part to the exact specifications with reverse engineering.

Utilize a Vendor Known for Quality and Integrity

Carbon graphite replacement parts
Figure 3: Learn How Trust Impacts Business

When you decide to make the move to a custom parts manufacturer, you need to choose a vendor who has the experience and is also known for their quality parts as well as their honesty and integrity. Selecting a vendor with these qualities will help to ensure that you receive custom parts that meet or exceed your expectations.

If you were wondering how to find such a vendor? One of the best methods to find a trusted vendor is to ask other people in the business. As you can see in the infographic on the left, 65% of all business comes from referrals. Meaning, 65% of people are looking to others to help them choose a vendor for their needs. Asking others who have been in your position is a great start when searching for a vendor who can fulfill your specific needs.

If you don’t have any current referrals, the next best thing is to read reviews online. Satisfied customers, as well as dissatisfied customers, are likely to leave reviews for vendors. You can get a great idea if a company is one you want to work with from independent reviews.

When you come across companies that seem like contenders for your business, take the time to interview them.  You need a vendor who understands your needs well.  Hiring a vendor is like hiring an employee, you need to know you can trust them to do the job that you need them to do, in the time that you need them to do it.  Through interviewing, you can ensure turnaround times are to your liking and get a feel for how the company does business.

Finding the right vendor for your needs can take a bit of research and work, but it is time well spent. When you work with a vendor, you trust them to get you the quality parts you need when you need them. So, taking the time to make the proper connection with a parts supplier is as essential as any other business decision you make, if not more so.

Moving Forward with The Right Vendor

Now that you know what type of vendor you need to look for and how to find them, it’s time to go out and find the parts vendor that will serve your needs well. Follow the three factors outlined above. You will find that your operation will naturally experience less downtime and benefit from high-quality and reliable parts, which will result in improved profitability.

ROC Company Is Ready to Be Your Parts Vendor

ROC Carbon is delighted to work with you if you are looking for seals, bearings, bushings, or other carbon graphite replacement parts.

Since 1956, ROC Carbon has provided our clients with the specified parts they need in 24 hours.

Get back up and running,

Contact Us Today!

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