How do you select a supplier for your drawing parts?

1. High Quality: precise parts made from the correct material and with the right surface quality.
2. Good Service and Advice: a good dialogue with the supplier and competent advice on material, manufacturing processes, and anything else that can positively impact price and quality.
3. Low Price: Naturally, the price should always be as low as possible, not just in the short term, but also in the long run.
4. Optimal Delivery Time: Short delivery times are on the wish list of most companies, but longer delivery times with continuous deliveries, e.g., from Eastern Europe or Asia, can be desirable for many as this can reduce the overall price. That's why we talk about "optimal" delivery times.

Global or Local?

There are advantages to choosing both a local and a global supplier. The local provider often stands for security and flexibility. Short distances often mean short delivery times. So why choose a supplier from Eastern Europe or Asia?

There are indeed many good reasons. The most important are price and expertise.

When you source your parts globally, you benefit from lower production costs in the manufacturing country. Additionally, you can usually also benefit from lower raw material prices.

In countries specializing in the production of turned parts, a pool of experts has also emerged. When you produce parts for the whole world, you gain a lot of experience with complex machining processes and have an advanced machinery park that can perform a wide range of machining operations.

Choosing a Partner - Your Options

When choosing a partner, you essentially have 3 options:

• A local supplier who produces your drawing parts themselves: With a local supplier, you can essentially see how your parts are produced. You can meet the manufacturer and speak face-to-face with the employees you work with. However, you also have to find the supplier yourself and conduct the quality assurance of the supplier and the delivered parts yourself. In most cases, the choice will have to be based on a "gut feeling." This can trigger anxiety in some people. There may also be issues with the supplier's long-term capacity - will the supplier be able to fulfill future tasks for you with the existing machinery, or will you need to find a new supplier? However, a local supplier has the advantage that you can relatively quickly adjust production, i.e., increase or decrease production as needed.
• A sourcing agent who can source your drawing parts worldwide: A sourcing agent is an agent who is, for example, based in Asia, or a Swiss agent who travels to the production country and is tasked with sourcing your items for you, communicating with the supplier, and negotiating prices and other conditions. The sourcing agent usually has extensive knowledge and a large network and can assist you as a consultant. However, a problem with working with a sourcing agent is that the agreement requires a high level of trust. If you do not receive a recommendation from someone you know, you have to find an intermediary yourself. And it can be difficult to be convinced of the intermediary's competencies and network based on phone calls and video conferences. It is very important to find an intermediary with whom you can easily communicate and who fully understands your needs.
• A local provider with a global network (One-Stop-Shop): Choosing a one-stop-shop offers you the benefits of local advice from a company you know and trust, combined with the many advantages of the global market. A local supplier helps you prepare drawing material, quality assurance of samples, find qualified suppliers, and ensure timely delivery of parts to you, perhaps even directly to your assembly line. The supplier can also advise you on expanding or developing your production. However, some see it as a disadvantage that they do not have direct contact with the company that manufactures the part, which can slightly extend the process if you want to change the direction or pace of production.