Key factors in selecting a shelving supplier

For most import buyers, choosing a core supplier is difficult, and relying entirely on a single supplier is not a wise choice. Therefore, the ability to select near-core suppliers and control the number of suppliers is an essential skill for a mature import buyer.Below, I will list some selection criteria and suggestions from the factory perspective.

1. Selection Based on Years of Experience and Product Variety

A mature supplier, whether a professional shelving trading company or a factory with foreign trade capabilities, should be chosen based on their product focus.Generally, the longer the company's experience, the more production and design experience it accumulates, allowing it to flexibly adjust shelving design and production processes according to actual needs.Factories with foreign trade capabilities have an advantage in product quality control and delivery time, as they are the ultimate responsible party in the after-sales process, thus devoting more effort to design and quality.Professional shelving trading companies, on the other hand, can leverage their resources across multiple factories to select products with lower prices.Non-professional shelving trading or purchasing companies are my least recommended approach. These companies lack the ability to assess product design, quality, and craftsmanship; they focus primarily on price. In today's highly competitive market, factories may sign disclaimers with these companies or reduce processes and lower material standards to secure orders and increase competitiveness.

2. Differentiate Based on Basic Costs

Since the main material for shelving is steel, the production process and local labor costs determine the basic production cost. Therefore, the cost of shelving is strongly correlated with the price of steel raw materials. Shelving factories will not drastically lower prices while ensuring quality and after-sales service. Therefore, purchasing products that meet technical standards and production processes will not result in significant differences between products from different factories. If products are found at prices far below the market average, it's important to investigate whether there are any problems with the product from that factory or supplier. Of course, short-term promotional prices may exist.

3. Maintain a Sufficient Number of Suppliers

It's recommended to maintain around three suppliers. This ensures delivery speed during peak sales seasons.

Prices from these three suppliers at different times can provide market research and reference for purchasing prices.

This allows for a comparison of product quality from three suppliers, enabling the formulation of comprehensive delivery requirements for different distributors.

This gives import distributors more flexibility and autonomy, rather than relying entirely on the standards and production capacity of a single supplier.