In the competitive manufacturing market, there are many obstacles that machine shops must overcome in order to win jobs. Choosing an aluminum distributor can be tough. The most difficult challenge faced by many manufacturers is maintaining competitive prices while balancing increasing costs, such as employee’s wages and benefits, tools and tool maintenance, machining equipment and upkeep, and raw material. These pressures are just some that manufacturing customers are facing today. Howard Precision Metals, a 100% aluminum distributor, can help you win more orders.
How Do You Win More Orders?
Some people might argue that winning orders hinges upon one thing: Offering the lowest price. And, for some customers, that may be true. For most customers, the key to winning orders is not to offer the lowest price but to offer the best overall value to the customer. Even when customers ask for the best price, it is actually the best value that they are seeking. If you offer more to your customers, they will likely purchase from you. For example, imagine yourself at an event on a hot and humid day. You’re very hot and thirsty and desperately need some water. There are two vendors selling water. Vendor A is selling bottles of water that have been sitting out in direct sunlight for $1.00 per bottle. Meanwhile Vendor B is selling ice cold water from a cooler for $1.50 per bottle. Some people will opt for Vendor A’s possibly hot water. Likely, many people will opt to pay the higher price in exchange for the value of the cool water. Conversely, there will still be people who opt to purchase the $1.00 bottle of possibly hot water. No matter the business, aluminum or water, value and price will always be factors in winning orders. In order to win more orders and be successful, you have to offer both value and a fair price.
What is the Difference Between Value & Price?
Although price and value are relative, they are definitely not the same. Price is defined as the amount of money expected or given in payment for a good or service. Value, or the usefulness of a product or service, is based upon a belief of what a product or service is worth. Because value is based on perspective, it cannot be simply expressed as a dollar amount and is a little trickier to establish than price. Think about our previous water bottle example. The price of Vendor B’s ice cold water is $1.50. But-How valuable is that water to an overheated and thirsty person? Likely, a dollar amount for the water’s temperature is hard to quantify. Its value will also vary from person to person. This scenario transcends into the manufacturing and aluminum industries as well. Identical products and services do hold different values for every customer. Price and value are constantly being evaluated and considered when quoting and bidding for manufacturing jobs.
Does Your Aluminum Distributor Bring You Value?
Because Manufacturers are only as good as their aluminum suppliers, the right aluminum distributor can make or break any job. Factors like on-time delivery, saw finish, available on-hand inventory, lead times, and quality of material are variables that should be analysed when choosing an aluminum distributor. These variables have the potential to greatly alter a job’s end cost. That’s why it is crucial to purchase aluminum from quality distributors, who offer great value added services in addition to competitive prices and on-time performance. Aluminum distributors can have an enormous impact on their customers’ bottom line. Think about how crucial on-time deliveries are to shop efficiencies. If aluminum plate does not deliver on-time, machines can sit idle. This results in workers having down time, The end result is that production costs are increased. Conversely, if an aluminum plate order is delivered on-time, in-full, and cut to size, teams can effectively plan machining. There will be only one set-up. Profit will increase. Finally, you may be able to eliminate some machining steps in the process. All of these things bring value to machine shops. They all increase profits and can ultimately help manufacturers win more orders. Does your current aluminum plate supplier bring you value?
The Value of Howard Precision Metals
We pride ourselves on providing high value, competitively priced aluminum plate to all of our customers. Every day. In short, we strive for 100% customer satisfaction. We are a 100% aluminum distributor. That means that we have the knowledge and experience necessary to deliver quality aluminum plate and precision aluminum sawing services on-time. Every time. Howard’s custom-built precision aluminum sawing equipment and skillful operators, enable us to produce aluminum parts with tight tolerances and pristine saw finishes with ease. HPM’s signature Precision Plus aluminum plate sawing produces saw tolerances as tight as ±.005”. Not only that, but it also includes a squareness guarantee of ±.005” (12″ from any HPM saw-cut corner) and an RMS as nice as 32. In addition, our premium aluminum plate sawing services can help to reduce or even eliminate machining steps. HPM has more saw under one roof than anyone in the Midwest. This means we have the capacity to deliver precision saw cut aluminum parts in just a few days. No matter the piece count. If aluminum plate is not what you need, we also stock an extensive inventory of aluminum extrusions. Our Precision Plus sawing services are also available on these products. Finally, an expansive aluminum plate and extrusion inventory and alliances with only premier aluminum mill sources ensures that Howard Precision Metals can deliver aluminum orders of any quantity within a short lead time.
Next time you need aluminum plate or extrusions, let us show you value of ordering with Howard Precision Metals and prove that we are the best aluminum distributor. Period. Contact us today by calling 888.944.9400 or request a quote. Have you seen what we saw?
