Working to a tight deadline? Here's how your product supplier can help you meet it 

You want your products to be supplied as quickly as possible with minimum hassle, especially if you’re delivering a modular project with a particularly tight turnaround.

However, the challenges faced by procurement managers are vast. Goods not arriving on-site on time, not being able to source unusual low value products and factories having to halt production while they wait for items to arrive, are just some of the factors that can cause delays. And then there are the unforeseen circumstances you can’t possibly anticipate to contend with…

Overcoming these challenges can be tricky, especially given the fact that tight deadlines tend to go hand-in-hand with modular builds. One of the biggest, if not the main, advantages of modular is the speed of on-site installation. In fact, most modular projects are actually planned to be tight as it’s a more cost effective way of getting the work done quickly. But this does mean that when delays occur, already tight project plans instantly become increasingly urgent to complete.

So, how can procurement managers ensure their modular projects get completed, no matter how tight the deadline? By working with a product supplier that’s geared towards providing you with:

1. An extensive product range (and knowledge)

How comprehensive is your supplier’s product range? Do they stock an extensive range of industry bespoke items or do they have to source items from elsewhere? We have over 10,000 items in stock and on-site at any one time and offer up-to-the-minute stock status, meaning sourcing and receiving what you need, has never been so easy.

Not only do we offer an extensive product range, we also boast industry-leading product insight, which means we can also source the most unusual of products quickly and easily too.

2. Fast, reliable delivery

How long do you typically have to wait for products to arrive? As obvious as it sounds, working with a specialist who can guarantee super-fast delivery is an absolute must for meeting your deadlines. Can they deliver right away?

Our FixFirm First service means we’re able to offer nationwide, superfast next day delivery before noon on all of our products so you can get exactly what you need, when you need it. For example, we recently arranged for connection bolts to be delivered to a site in Hereford within two hours. It was crucial the bolts, which had been overlooked by the client, arrived on time, as it wasn’t possible for any lifting to take place without them.

3. Accurate and streamlined ordering

There’s nothing more time consuming or frustrating than having to spend your time tracking down missing products or rectifying wrong orders. However, with the right product supplier, you’ll be able to easily eradicate these issues. In fact, some suppliers actually have software specifically in place to help streamline the ordering process. Take our Procure-Site system, for instance, which eliminates the constant headache of misinterpreted site requests and enables you to quickly order your goods online, monitor your time savings and receive accurate invoices.

4. An extra helping hand

 KanBan stock systems

There are many ways in which your product supplier can go that extra mile. While these systems aren’t necessarily commonplace, they’re still effective and provided by some product suppliers, including ourselves.

We provide these systems at our clients’ factories, with the set up, shelves, parts bins, stocking of consumables, all paid for by us. Our envoy then visits on a regular basis to check how much stock has been used and what needs to be replenished before any shortfalls occur. Our clients then only have to pay for the shortfall quantity.

Site kit packaging

There are significant time savings to be had from getting your product supplier to do more than just simply supply products. For example an industry-leading specialist will provide you with a service that extends far beyond product supply.

It’s one of the reasons why we provide site kits. So, when your products require packaging in preparation for the installation of modules on-site, we can help you do this by clearly labeling them up according to the project at hand. Not only does this help make things straightforward, it also frees up valuable time for your store operatives. 

All in all, when it comes to meeting tight deadlines, focusing on the ultra important rocks that can make or break a project and outsourcing the periphery is key to achieving your overall goal. Working with a reliable product supplier that’s focused on helping you in these areas will undoubtedly ensure that your buildings will arrive on-site complete and on time.

Got any questions or want to discuss your product requirements with us? Contact us on sales@fixfirm.com or 0800 594 44 44.

The key to success for any good project is your choice of suppliers. Discover why FixFirm is the best choice for consumables, equipment, fixings and fasteners in this blog.