Managing the Supply Chain Crisis for Industrial Pumps and Motors

Recently, manufacturers have faced supply chain issues that threaten production. Regardless of the reasons for the delays, and there are a multitude of them, a pause in production can hurt the profitability and viability of the business. If you don’t have the equipment, you can’t manufacture it. And if you can’t manufacture, then you don’t have a business.

Companies can’t close their eyes and hope for a solution. Now more than ever, you need to take a proactive role with trusted suppliers to solve the supply chain problems.

Purchasing an Industrial Pump and Parts

The first thing to know when addressing the supply chain crisis is that this is an industry-wide problem.

The worldwide supply chain is interconnected. This means when a problem impacts one material or industry vertical, then it will impact others. A pump manufacturer may have the materials and labor for active production, but if a seal or a part is on back order, then the customers waiting for their pumps will experience delays.

Keep this in mind as you approach the market. Manufacturers producing the equipment will have the same struggles to meet demand as the suppliers who distribute the equipment. As you address your equipment needs, there are a few things to consider:

• Does the supplier have the inventory on hand?
• If they don’t, do they have the relationships and knowledge of the market to acquire the equipment faster?
• Do they have the expertise in pumps and pump equipment to suggest and find an alternate solution that will meet your needs?
• If a temporary solution, like a rental unit or a repair, is possible until the new equipment arrives, can they help?

Tactics for Managing the Supply Chain Crisis

The steps you take in purchasing are only part of mitigating the current supply chain problems. You also need to look at current operations.

First, if you are worried about supply chain issues, one of the most important questions you can ask your potential supplier is about their inventory management system. Sufficient inventory to meet demands and emergency needs must be maintained. This transparency between you and your supplier is necessary to avoid unprecedented issues.

Don’t rely only on the supplier. Look at your own inventory, and keep extra quantities of frequently used or important supplies on hand.

Secondly, have a proactive approach to maintenance, planning, and ordering equipment and supplies. In difficult times, plan more frequent maintenance checks. At the first sign of problems, look at the lead time for a replacement part or pump. If necessary, order and keep it on hand when a failure does occur.

Finally, take a proactive approach with your supplier partners. Ask them to review your inventory, and if necessary, set up a vendor-managed inventory program. Work with them to identify parts and equipment that may be out of stock or in short supply. They may be able to suggest alternative parts and materials that will be easier to acquire.

Contact OTC for Help Purchasing Industrial Pumps and Motors

Purchasing a replacement pump or part is only one possible solution to solving an equipment issue.

A knowledgeable partner like OTC and its pumps team can evaluate other options when equipment fails and a replacement will be delivered late. These options could include a repair, or an alternate pump that will deliver the functionality you need and arrive faster.

As an end-to-end, turnkey pumps and manufacturing solution, OTC not only has the industry connections and relationships to expedite orders, but it can also offer a full range of services and alternative solutions.

Rather than struggle with downtime and production shutdowns, take a proactive approach to mitigating supply chain challenges by contacting OTC today.