As a contractor or subcontractor on a job, ensuring the necessary industrial pipe fittings, pipe, valves and other parts and materials are on hand is essential in getting the job done on time. Avoiding costly delays and keeping the project on schedule is critical to building a solid reputation in any industry.
When looking for a supplier, there are several things to keep in mind. There are also some common mistakes that contractors and subcontractor make that may end up costing them significantly in the long run.
Small Suppliers Equals Smaller Inventories
For large jobs on waterworks projects, in the construction of internal systems in production and manufacturing facilities and for the oil and gas industry, having the ability to turn to a supplier of industrial pipe fittings and know they have on-hand stock is important.
Unfortunately, small companies simply do not carry this type of inventory, which poses real issues for contractors and subcontractors. While they may carry a good general selection, they are also far less likely to have specialized pipe fittings to meet all industry needs.
Problems with Emergency Orders
Small industry supply companies not only carry limited inventory, but they also do not do large volume work with the manufacturers. This can make it more challenging to fill an emergency order for their customers.
On the other hand, the large industry supply companies offering a wide range of industrial pipe fittings are regular customers of the manufacturers with the ability to place special and emergency orders for fast delivery.
Difficulty in Finding Specialized Parts
Difficult to find parts of any type, including valves, pipe fittings and other types of components are always easier to track down by the large suppliers. These companies often have international networks, which means they can quickly locate anything their contractors or subcontractors may require.
