Three Advantages to Having More Than One Fastener Distributor

In business, it is often your connections and relationships that are most valuable. Managers work hard to find and establish a working relationship with suppliers they can count on. Reliability, price and service are the three major factors that keep that relationship strong. But have you ever thought about the advantages of having more than one fastener distributor? Building multiple connections will help to grow your business, as these three advantages prove.

Better Prices

There's certainly no harm in asking your fastener distributor for a better price. But when they do not specialize in a certain brand or type of product they may not be able to do as well as other distributors could. The trick is collecting the names and contact information of companies that cover a broad range of fastener lines. Overlap is good - the distributors will often compete with each other to offer you the best price - but be sure that all of the bases are covered. 

This is especially important for general contractors that complete a wide variety of projects.

Better Availability

When one fastener distributor is out of something that you need today, it pays to have multiple connections. It may make sense to start with your preferred distributor (perhaps they are the closest geographically or offer the best prices and payment terms), but be sure you have a few more to call on when stock gets low.

Rather than changing your schedule or inconveniencing your own customers to handle back orders, having another fastener supplier will keep you stocked up at all times.

Better Choice

Choice is especially important when you are ordering a customized product. Perhaps different distributors will offer a variety of packaging options or can complete the project within several different schedules. The key element here is choice - if you only have one distributor you will be limited to their services and options. With multiple points of contact, even customized fastener orders will come with the choice you need.

Building relationships with more than one fastener distributor is a wise idea for a variety of reasons. You can count on better prices, better availability and better choice - three advantages that mean better business for you.

The Advantages of Ordering Building Fasteners As You Need Them

There are many different costs associated with running a business. Contractors of any size know that besides labor and materials, there are also administrative and overhead costs. All of these expenses can add up quickly and a skilled project manager knows how to keep them under control. The cost of maintaining an inventory and handling materials is often more than the budget can handle. Ordering the building fasteners as they are required is one of the easiest ways to manage this particular expense.

How That System Works To Your Advantage

Keeping a constant stock of the building fasteners commonly used by your company can get complicated. You will need to have space to store these components, an inventory system to keep accurate records of the amounts and value on hand, as well as staff to manage the shipping and receiving end.

All of these costs can be avoided when you simply order the fasteners as they are required.

Depending on how large the building project is, there may be space to store the fasteners on site. This would allow you to put in the purchase order as soon as construction begins. But with no secure place available it is best to place orders as the materials are needed. 

Won't This Style of Ordering Actually Add to the Cost?

It's true that the cost of fasteners is much lower when the product is ordered in bulk. A large shipment of screws, bolts, nuts and washers will likely come with generous discounts and a one-time freight charge. However, as long as you are still ordering the product in sufficiently large quantities (bulk boxes or pallets of boxes, as opposed to smaller containers or bins) you can still expect to save money on the list price. And the money you save by eliminating those handling fees will more than make up for any difference.

It pays to order building fasteners on a job-by-job basis. Not only will this type of materials management save you plenty of hassle, but it will be much cheaper in the long run. Remember that for your next project, no matter how large or small.

Neoprene Washers Combine With Stainless Steel For a Leak Free Solution

Leaks are a serious problem that can result in vast amounts of damage and expense. Plumbers and mechanical engineers are always concerned with preventing this condition and are often engaged in battles to stop leaks and prevent them from reoccurring. That’s where neoprene washers come into play.

Combined with the strength and durability of stainless steel fasteners, neoprene or rubber washers are effective solutions that provide a reliable and leak free fit in many different circumstances.

But how?

What Is Neoprene?

Initially introduced by DuPont back in the 1930’s, neoprene is actually a trade name for polychloroprene. This rubber compound is synthesized, has impressive chemical stability and is durable even in extreme temperatures.

You may recognize neoprene for its common use in swimsuits and various household items such as expandable lunch pails, electronic gadget sleeves and in remote controls. It is a versatile substance. But plumbing and industrial applications really allow this compound a chance to shine.

The Star Couple

Stainless steel fasteners are the top choice for use in marine environments and with household and industrial plumbing. With matchless corrosion resistance and strength, stainless steel is well worth the larger initial investment. But on its own, stainless does not provide the leak protection and seal necessary for many different plumbing applications.

That’s where neoprene washers come in.

Stretchy and stable at the same time, neoprene is ideal for use with a washer. It can withstand high levels of compression without shattering or becoming destabilized. Even when squeezed into tight spaces this substance will maintain a barrier against the passage of moisture.

It is resistant to mold and is not prone to corrosion or other means of breakdown common to these wet conditions. That makes it an ideal companion to stainless steel fasteners, providing the moisture barrier required with matching levels of durability and reliability.

Plumbers and designers alike recognize the benefits and advantages of pairing neoprene washers with stainless steel fasteners. To fasten plumbing fixtures, secure pipes and ensure connections that will last, these two materials are well matched and a wise inclusion in your project.

How to Take Advantage of the Different Payment Terms Your Fastener Distributor Offers

Many times purchase managers and those working the order desk focus on price and availability when placing orders. They may not pay attention to the payment terms nor understand how those factors affect the overall cost of a products. If handled properly, the payment terms that your fastener distributor offers can make a big difference to the expense associated with those materials. Learning how to handle that factor is important.

Early Payment Discounts

Does your fastener distributor offer early payment discounts? These generally run from 0.5 to 2 percent of the invoice total before freight and taxes and are applicable when the invoice is paid in full before the due date. Some distributors offer a discount if the payment is received within ten days, others allow 15 to 20 days. Read the fine print on the bottom of the invoice or packing slip to determine whether any discounts apply.

Cash On Delivery

There are many circumstances where cash on delivery (or COD) is the preferred method of payment. New customers without an established credit and those who have a history of overdue payments may be required to handle their fastener order in this way. This could mean that the overall cost of the product is higher, since it will tie up cash immediately and usually well before your company has a chance to collect from your customer. 

There are times when COD terms will result in cost savings, but often this type of payment wreaks havoc on the cash flow of your company, especially if the fastener orders are large.

Credit Card Payments

The distributor may offer this as a convenience and the customer may appreciate the ability to handle their payments in this way. Find out whether the distributor will be charging a premium for credit card payment and whether or not they will accept your preferred type of charge card.

Online or Electronic Payments

The business world is moving away from checks and swiftly transitioning to electronic money transfers. This can save your business money on paper supplies, as well as on processing time and potentially on bank charges. It isn't offered by every fastener distributor and isn't advantageous in every circumstance, but electronic or online payments are convenient and may save your business money.

How the Right Rackmount Screws Can Help Your IT System Perform Better

Many businesses of varying sizes rely on their IT systems for day-to-day operations, archiving and maintaining accurate accounting and inventory. The performance of your IT system is vital to the success of your company and the smallest components can have the largest effect. Understanding how the right rackmount screws can result in improvements to your IT design will pave the way for increased performance.

How Do Rackmount Fasteners Affect the System?

Your IT equipment is based on the size and shape of your rackmount system. The components obviously need to meet the computing needs of your firm, but they also need to match up to the physical requirements of the devised racks.

While the 19” rack is an industry standard, the fasteners used for these systems have played a major role in the evolution. Unthreaded square holes have made it easy for rack manufacturers to streamline their product lines, making them adaptable for a wide selection of PC and server brands. But that is only possible due to the rising popularity of clip nuts and cage nuts.

These specialized fasteners couple with rackmount screws to create a tight, reliable fit in a standard rack. This has allowed rack IT systems to become more affordable, more adaptable and longer lasting in industrial, educational and corporate settings.

What Are Quick Release Rackmount Screws?

Flexibility is a key factor in the computer systems of many different institutions and businesses. A lab, for instance, needs to be able to change out the servers and computers regularly in order to gather information and keep up with the expanding variables of their experiments. Quick release rackmount fasteners allow that to happen quickly, efficiently and with relatively low training and maintenance.

Without the quick release design, rackmount fasteners may require a special tool or a substantial amount of force to remove and replace. These latest designs allow for simple switches in a rack mounted IT systems, often with no more than your fingers. Speed, flexibility and adaptability are all available with these convenient fasteners.

Choosing the right rackmount screws for use with your racks – whether they are the threaded design or require the use of clip or cage nuts – will allow you to use the best IT system for your application. They will also allow for efficient changes, if that is needed in your place of business.