For many contractors and companies in the industrial construction, retrofit and maintenance industries, having a quality industrial PVF (pipe, valve, and fitting) supplier is a critical consideration.
There are several different factors any company should look for in a PVF supplier. Getting to know the supplier’s reputation is also a crucial factor, and it is often a priority with companies when they are seeking an industrial PVF supplier for a long-term working relationship.
Basic and Complex Order Fulfillment
Depending on the industry and the sector your business is in, having a PVF supplier with a top inventory of the basic pipes, valves and fittings may be all that is required. Other companies may require a PVF supplier with the ability to track down hard to find parts and components, or to fill orders that are large, complicated and may require multiple deliveries for Just-In-Time delivery requirements.
A good guideline is to choose a supplier with the ability to do both. This means they have a top on-hand inventory of standard pipe, valves and fittings, and they also the connection with the manufacturers to quickly bring in specialized or customized needs.
Cost Factor
Depending on where your job or project is located, different industrial PVF suppliers may be the most cost-effective option. When they are competitive, on their parts and material pricing and can offer to ship from different locations, costs can also be dropped on single orders or on multiple, repeat orders.
Checking the level of customer support provided by the supplier will also be an important step. Some companies offer experts in the industry to assist in-house teams in choosing the ideal PVF options that will be within the code and to the specifications required. These same companies can even be called on for expedited delivery, allowing for emergency shipments when needed to get the job done.
