One of the most difficult parts of running a manufacturing facility is finding the right lab chemical suppliers and integrating them into your supply chain. If you’re in the market for a new chemical supplier because your current one isn’t working out, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll give you five factors to keep top of mind as you look to switch industrial chemical suppliers.
1. Company Experience
The first factor to consider when you’re in the market for another chemical supplier is the experience level that the company has.
Have they been figureheads in the industry for years and years? Or are they relative newcomers to the chemical engineering block?
If the latter is the case, then you’ll want to make sure that you vet the supplier thoroughly. Quality can often build on experience, so you want to make sure that suppliers with less experience have defined ways that they adhere to quality standards.
2. Supplier Reputation
What is the reputation of the suppliers that you are looking at? Do all of them have a well-established presence in the market? Are they well-known for outputting quality products?
That’s the kind of reputation that you’re looking for. If you hear about any shady business dealings or other negative characteristics, then run away.
3. Delivery Timing History
If you are going to meet your production deadlines, then you need your chemical suppliers to meet their production and delivery deadlines. Otherwise, that can throw a whole monkey wrench in your supply chain that could have disastrous consequences.
Be sure that the company you look at has a history of sticking to the deadline times that they promise. When in the final negotiation stages, you should also check to make sure that the contract has language built-in regarding compensation if a chemical shipment arrives late.
4. Government Licensing
Chemical production is a very tightly regulated industry. Due to the nature of chemicals and how they can cause great harm if mixed in the wrong way, the government makes an effort to lay down safety practices and quality standards.
The supplier that you look at should have all of the government licensing that certifies them to be a competent, functional chemical supplier. If such is not the case, then that is an issue that you need to seek to fix.
5. Customer Service
Last but certainly not least, take a look at the suppliers’ customer service departments. You may need to call on these folks if a shipment goes late if there is something wrong with the products delivered or the like. Ensure that they have a superlative customer service team ready and able to handle any incoming requests. Check out this page for a chemical supplier with great service.
Switching Chemical Suppliers Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
With this guide of things to look out for under your belt, you should have no trouble switching chemical suppliers. Use these key criteria to guide your buying decision and your supply chain should be just fine!
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