Why is it important to have relationships with suppliers?

Suppliers are a vital component of keeping your company operating. They are crucial when evaluating product quality, costs, and timely delivery to ensure that the customers are satisfied. We are a small company which manufactures pool liners and safety covers. Therefore, for us, the relationship we have with our suppliers has a huge impact. The more enthused your relationship with suppliers is, the higher importance suppliers will offer you.

A good example of how good supplier relationships can aid is when you are uncertain about the price of a product or if your supplier has a relationship with rivals that vary in size. They will assist you in determining the right price that meets your business and your requirements. The stronger your relationship is, the more understanding the provider has about your requirements. In certain cases, they might even give you preferential pricing – something we love.

Arlin Jordin Washington

What are the advantages of having multiple suppliers?

The use of multiple suppliers offers many advantages. It lets you know that the price is exactly where it is. We usually begin with Canadian vendors, but buying from overseas vendors can help cut costs. If you encounter problems with quality, such as delayed delivery or delays in delivery and you are unable to resolve the issue, there is another vendor to buy from. If you’re only working with only one vendor. It can be very restrictive. If there is a problem, then it can affect the customer. Similar to stocks, you shouldn’t place all your eggs in one basket.

What is the significance of Service Level agreements (SLA) between the client and supplier essential?

If yes, what’s the most difficult aspect of setting up an SLA?

As a producer of pool liner products. We don’t use service level agreements since they are not widely employed in our field. We are a small company, but we do deal with large suppliers. Smaller companies might use an SLA for larger customers if they rely on a large supplier, we do not.

Arlin Jordin Washington

How do you keep relations with your vendors?

Our company is very supportive of relationships that go beyond the office. We want to know whom we do business with and find ways for establishing connections with each other over shared interests that are not related to work. We don’t wish to be a victim of the perception that we only engage with our suppliers when we need something since we consider our suppliers as an integral part of the company. Trade shows are always a good method of interacting with our suppliers. We typically meet for dinner, lunch, or sports events during the daytime. working hours.

What is the biggest challenge you have to face with your suppliers?

How can you address it?

The delivery times are probably the biggest issue; we’re confronting with suppliers at present. Particularly in light of the current pandemic and supply chain issues. I’m always on the phone to check up with them on anticipated arrival times. We also suggest following up with other companies to determine whether they’re experiencing similar issues with delays to make sure, it’s not only ours. For our staff, we would like to evaluate our delivery times with other businesses to determine whether we’re meeting the standard of the industry.

Arlin Jordin Washington

How can you ensure the openness of your company and suppliers to ensure a greater understanding of one another’s requirements?

For example, if a vendor is aware there are delays to shipping because of covid-19. They’ll tell us when we should start making orders. In essence, we should treat our relationship in the similar way you’d deal with anyone else. You need to bring them up immediately and don’t ignore them. You can’t solve an issue when they don’t even know that exists. The same is true for us. The key is to know how you deal with stressful situations by using open dialogue and respect for each other.

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In the end, relationships with suppliers play a crucial role in the growth of your business. Working with multiple suppliers and having a thorough understanding of the business will benefit you. In addition, the openness of communication allows gaining a better understanding of one another’s requirements which leads to the overall success of everyone involved.