Most purchase heads have a story about a cheaper supplier that turned out expensive – a lot that did not match the sample, a truck that arrived a week late, a phone that stopped being answered after payment. Here is what we have learnt, after 38 years on the supplier side, about what really matters.
1. Consistency beats the lowest price
A chemical that is ₹2 cheaper per kilo but varies lot to lot will cost you far more in breaks, shade changes and rejected reels. Ask:
- Who manufactures the product?
- Will every lot come from the same source?
- Can I get a sample from the lot before dispatch?
2. Know where it comes from
Established manufacturers have quality systems. We source from names such as Pidilite, National Peroxide, Roquette, IRC Group and Daehan Endless Felt. A supplier should be open about this.
3. Grade advice, not just a price list
A good supplier asks about your machine, furnish and output before quoting. The right grade at a fair price beats the wrong grade at a low price.
4. Lead time and stock
- Does the supplier stock regular items, or order only after your PO?
- How long for a repeat order?
- What happens during peak season or transport strikes?
5. Packing and documents
- Standard packing – usually 50 Kg bags for powders, carboys or drums for liquids.
- Clear labelling, batch numbers and test certificates where needed.
- Proper invoices and transport documents.
6. Range
Buying many products from one dependable supplier means fewer vendors to manage and one call when something goes wrong.
7. After-sales support
Will someone pick up the phone after the order? Can they help with a trial or troubleshoot a problem? This is where long relationships are built.
A quick checklist
- Sample matches the delivered lot.
- Manufacturer is known and consistent.
- Lead time is realistic and kept.
- Packing and documents are in order.
- You can reach a decision-maker easily.
At Mittal Trading Company, we have tried to work this way since 1988 – and it is why many of our relationships with paper mills, detergent makers and water treatment plants go back decades.
Looking for a dependable supplier? Send us your requirement list – we will reply with options, grades and a quotation. Request a quote →