Businesses that use conveyors often rely on them for day-to-day operations and for processing each product. A conveyor system can be complex and challenging to set up, and finding a conveyor supplier that satisfies all of your needs can also be difficult. Some suppliers are specialized in specific industries, such as robotics, or are capable of providing varying degrees of assistance when buying a conveyor. It is generally important to decide on what you need first, and then find a supplier that can incorporate those needs into its sales strategy. The supplier’s knowledge of the particular industry, the skills of its staff, and whether it offers full systems or specific conveyor components are usually important facts to know.
When choosing a conveyor supplier, the process often starts with drawing out a plan of your facility. A diagram of the factory layout with the path of the conveyor labeled can help determine how long it will be and what conveyor components are actually needed. With safety features and conveyor speed factored in, the cost of the overall system and its maintenance needs can be worked out. Research often helps in deciding whether a supplier is quoting an acceptable price.
A conveyor supplier that allows you to communicate your specific needs is usually the best option. The supplier can opt for online quoting or be willing to speak directly about specific projects. If the company wants to learn about the specific conveyor system you need and are prompt each time they are contacted, then this is generally a good sign. In addition to how the supplier communicates with the customer, also judge based on their promotional strategy and advertised capabilities.
The fewer modifications to a conveyor system that need to be done after it is purchased, the less you typically have to spend later on. A conveyor supplier that offers a specific conveyor just for the application is usually best. If the supplier insists on selling just a generic system, it may be best passed on. The help of support staff is generally important, as it is in any sales setting.
Regardless of the types of conveyors, dealing directly with the supplier is often the best strategy. Sometimes the more distributors involved, the higher the price of a conveyor system. Also, there can be greater chances of misinformation leading to mistakes in conveyor choices. How you manage the relationship with a conveyor supplier can also be important; figure out how to manage the project and communicate at the beginning of the process for the best possible results.
By Andrew Kirmayer