You have heard the adage that no man is his own island. In the construction industry, this is contextual because a general contractor needs a broad base of a network of suppliers, i.e. (crossed roller bearing supplier) for project delivery within the set budget. Contracting with these individuals can be risky since the general contractors are accountable for the project operations. This is whether or not employees or the vendors handle the projects. The risks involved include safety violations, project delays, in addition to licensing issues. Choosing the right supplier for your construction accessories can ease the heavy lifting for you. Here is your supplier evaluation criteria.
1. Expertise
When your budget is tight, it might be tempting to go for a supplier that offers top-notch construction accessories at a low price. But these suppliers may not be experts at this.
Thus, they shall provide you with substandard manufacturing products. This implies that their solution will not be the right match for your business. It also means that you may end up with equipment you do not need or do not know how to use. Wouldn’t this be expensive?
Thus, to evade such issues, it is critical to ensure that your OEMs are not just selling a construction accessory. They need to bring in high industry knowledge to the table. That way, you can also choose to work with a trusted supplier who is knowledgeable in the sectors you need them to leverage their products.
2. Experience – Partners in Innovative Processes
Are you in the construction industry and interested in launching a new product? Do you want to improve an existing product? Then you should work with a supplier who is armed with a tested manufacturing facility and a reliable team of specialists.
Such collaboration helps to combine ideas with knowledge and resources. Suppliers of that caliber can offer insight and run trials on the equipment. This should help you perfect the manufacturing and construction process.
3. Safety Performance
The performance of your prospective supplier is another factor to look at when choosing one. What are the TRIR and LTIR safety rating of the company? Has it encountered a regulatory notice on violations? What about having an active safety program? Do they have a documented training coupled with safety policy? These are some of the questions you should ask to determine the safety performance of your prospect supplier.
4. License and Insurance
Every state has a required operating license for a specific job or sector. Find out if the supplier you are about to hire has a license to operate. Also, do they have general liability insurance or a workman’s permit? The answers to these questions should guide you in decision making.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the list is long and needs time before decision making. However, you better consider for a moment the actual cost of selecting a supplier that puts the construction project at risk. It is better and highly advisable to invest the time and resources than pay the hefty fines in the long run, right? Happy shopping!
