Sourcing equipment and supplies is a full-time job that many businesses. The larger the company, the more time and effort is put into the task. So the last thing an acquisition manager needs is a long list of required supplies but no plan for acquiring them.
Are you responsible for sourcing your company’s safety supplies? If so, is it a constant struggle? There may be no simple way to do what you do. But by considering the seven things in the list below, you might be able to find one or two suppliers you can use to source your supplies in the future. That could save you a ton of time and effort by mitigating the need to constantly search for new suppliers.
1. Quality and Standards
It is easy to say that quality is a top priority. Of course it is. But when it comes to safety supplies, quality takes on an added dimension. That dimension is found in safety standards. A good example illustrating the concept is the UK standards for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Saving a bit of money on PPE doesn’t mean much when the supplies you procure don’t meet legal standards. Not only do those supplies put you at risk of non-compliance, but they may also not protect employees adequately. Product quality is not just about how well something holds up under normal wear and tear. It is also about meeting regulatory standards.
2. Product Durability
Durability is a key consideration for things like fire extinguishers and emergency lighting. Obviously, you want products that will stand the test of time. You want products that will still be in good working condition many years down the road.
Even something as seemingly innocuous as a safety sign has a durability component attached to it. Why invest in signs every year if you can find products that will last 5 years or longer? Making durability a priority could save money in the long run.
3. Product Range
Considering product range could make sourcing easier over the long term. In other words, a supplier who carries all the safety supplies your company needs could act as your one-stop option. Of course, the supplier’s quality and pricing need to match your company’s objectives. But if that’s the case, sticking with a single supplier could turn a monthly ordering nightmare into a much simpler task.
4. Customisation Options
If your workplace has specialised safety needs, you may need customisation options. For instance, perhaps you need to customise your order of PPE supplies to accommodate a one-off need your company might never face again. Can your supplier meet that need on time and at a reasonable price point?
Admittedly, sourcing safety supplies for unusual situations is not the easiest task in the world. It’s not unusual to have to search for a boutique supplier for extremely unique supplies. But in such cases, finding such a supplier is like striking gold. You want to keep that supplier in the pipeline. Perhaps ordering more products from that supplier will keep the relationship alive.
5. Supplier Reputation
Supplier reputation is always a consideration because your company is only as good as the supplier you source from. Low-quality supplies mean low quality results. That affects how your company does what it does. On the other hand, high-quality supplies keep your company operating at a higher level of productivity and safety.
Online reviews are one source of information on supplier reputation. Don’t rely on them exclusively. Instead, ask around. Speak with colleagues at other organisations to learn more about their suppliers. Scour the news for any stories relating to suppliers you are considering contacting. The more you can learn about supplier reputation, the more you’ll be able to protect yourself and your company against a bad supplier relationship.
6. Supplier Expertise
Your supplier’s expertise can be a big help when you have to source safety supplies you’ve never dealt with before. You’re going to rely on your account manager to recommend the right supplies based on a description of your needs. Their expertise should inform you about new products the supplier offers. In essence, you’re relying on your account manager to be the expert. Does it make sense to source safety supplies from a company that does not seem to know anything about what they sell?
7. Price and Value
Bottom line price is easy to focus on. There is a temptation to buy the cheapest safety supplies you can find, especially when cost containment is one criterion on which your job performance is based. But focusing exclusively on price alone is not a smart idea. Look at price and value together. It is okay to spend as little as you need to and safety supplies. But are you getting what you are paying for?
Value is a measurement of quality against price. Paying attention to value is all about making sure you’re not paying a premium price for a sub-par product. The value of the safety supplies you purchase should be in line with the amount of money you are spending.
Sourcing safety supplies can be a job in and of itself. But with a well-developed strategy and some legwork upfront, you can turn it into a science that produces positive and repeatable results.