Is your laboratory or manufacturing facility in need of industrial furniture, but limited on budget? You’re not alone.
Every industrial or laboratory space needs a set of furniture that fulfills the requirements while maximizing efficiency and functionality. But not every manager has the ideal budget to work with during the hunting process. Yet there are times when patience, persistence and a bit of flexibility may just be the answer to your dilemma.
One of the best ways to score a deal is to take advantage of industry secrets - times when companies need to get rid of surplus inventory or are offering discounts on discontinued or returned products.
There’s another important question to ask yourself as well: What does a great deal look like to you? While price is an immediate benefit of a great deal, long-term costs are equally significant.
Let’s take a look at some of the common ways industrial furniture manufacturers may be willing to cut a bargain and how you can ensure quality gives you the best long-term deal.
Production Overruns
There are several reasons why manufacturers may be sitting on excess inventory, but one of the primary reasons is production overruns.
Simply put, the manufacturer’s production department is producing too much product. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including missed projections on demand, errors in the production process or economic forces like a downturn in the economy.
Production overruns can be a headache for an industrial furniture company because of the cost involved in storing inventory and increased warehousing costs. In fact, Many factors can influence how much it costs to build and run a warehouse, from labor costs to insurance and technology.
If a company needs to cut expenses, it might look to offload production overruns to free up any costs associated with the warehouse. In this case, that company's pain may be your gain.
While online marketplaces may post some of these overstock items, you can also reach out to the manufacturer directly and inquire about any surplus or excess inventory it might have from previous production runs. Networking with industry contacts or trade associations can also provide valuable leads.
Excessive Ordering
In the manufacturing process, you must constantly estimate your usage of raw materials to manufacture your products. Sometimes estimates may simply be wrong. In addition, the manufacturer may be carrying too much inventory out of fear of running out of stock.
There are also instances where too much material (paint or worksurfaces) may be ordered to try to take advantage of deals, or minimum order quantities must be met on special order projects.
This is a case where the more flexible you are in your specs, the greater the likelihood of a deal.
With this scenario, it’s often about being at the right place at the right time to find a great deal. However, networking with industrial furniture manufacturers can help to ensure you’re on the list of companies to call should they find themselves in need of offloading products.
Customer Returns
Customer returns are a normal part of doing business. Returns happen for a variety of reasons on perfectly excellent products.
Sometimes customers change their mind and cancel an order mid-production, a product can miss specifications, or there were errors in the purchase order that weren’t caught until it was too late.
Most quality manufacturers may work out an arrangement to take product back (sometimes subject to a restocking fee) to ensure customer satisfaction. This can offer an opportunity for savvy buyers who are looking for a great deal.
Liquidation companies may stock some of these returned items, though you may pay a higher fee versus contacting the manufacturer directly.
4 Tips To Finding A Great Deal
If you are a buyer that is short on capital, how do you find a great deal on your industrial furniture? Here are four tips to increase your odds of scoring a good deal.
Tip #1 - Be Flexible
The more specific or stringent your requirements, the less likely you will find that smoking deal. Excess inventory shopping is for people that can afford to be flexible.
If you have a specific color palette for your facility design or require a custom industrial workbench, it will be more difficult to find a deal. However, if you are flexible, you may find some great savings on a less popular paint color that is sitting in the manufacturer’s inventory.
Tip #2 - Don’t Be Afraid To Ask
This is probably the most important thing that you can do to find a deal … ASK. If you don’t ask, you won’t know. Sometimes, excess inventory can be collecting dust in the back of a facility. If you are bargain shopping, simply ask your sales rep if there are any hidden gems in the facility.
You may be surprised at what you find, and what a manufacturer may be willing to part with for a reasonable price.
Tip #3 - Share Your Budget
This serves a dual purpose. First, it establishes with the manufacturer what you are looking for and how much you can afford. Second, it may help your sales rep be creative by combining new products and excess inventory, helping to stretch your dollar.
Many purchasers are afraid to reveal budget, when that may be just the ticket to finding a great deal and meeting your objectives.
Tip #4 - Start Early and Be Patient
If you know that you will be working on a project in advance and the budget is tight, the earlier you start, the better chance you have of snapping up a deal. Speak with your manufacturer’s rep and lay out your needs. The longer the time frame you have, the greater the likelihood of finding a deal.
Think Long-Term Deals
While finding a deal on industrial furniture may be enticing, it's important to remember that a low cost doesn't always equate to a good investment.
Quality should be a top consideration when purchasing industrial or laboratory furniture. Opting for cheaper options without regard for quality may lead to frequent replacements and increased expenses in the long run.
Industrial spaces like laboratories and manufacturing facilities are subjected to harsh working conditions, from heavy use to exposure to chemicals and high temperatures. Furniture in these environments must withstand these extreme conditions.
Choosing low-quality furniture or furniture that doesn’t meet the needs of your workspace may come with premature wear and tear, structural failures or damage. In the end, your “good deal” won’t seem like one after all since you may be more likely to pay for frequent repairs or replacements. These interruptions can disrupt workflow and productivity as well, costing you more in the long run.
While investing in high-quality industrial furniture that offers greater resistance to wear, corrosion and damage may initially involve a higher upfront cost, the durability and reliability of these products often result in long-term savings.
So should you go after a great deal when shopping for industrial furniture? Absolutely! However, it’s important to ensure the deal you’re getting isn’t short-term and will ultimately provide long-lasting value and reliability.
