| I have listed below the most relevant items you | | | | want your material cost to be so high that it throws |
| need to consider when selecting a paint vendor if | | | | your overall quote off enough to lose work. Make |
| you are a steel fabrication or industrial paint company. | | | | sure your paint vendor knows the going pricing for |
| 1) Is the paint vendor / representative | | | | paint & coatings within your industry. I'm not |
| knowledgeable about your business or industry? | | | | talking about a few dollars a gallon difference here. |
| - I think this one of the most relevant points to | | | | Many times when a paint representative sells to |
| consider. If you paint vendor doesn't understand your | | | | many different industries the pricing can be off by |
| industry or what you are trying to accomplish, this will | | | | $20 to $30 a gallon. This can result in a huge increase |
| put your company at a huge disadvantage. Here's | | | | in expense when it comes to acquiring your material |
| why. If you are a steel fabricator who focuses on | | | | for a selected job. |
| production times over everything else, you might end | | | | 3) Does your paint vendor / representative always |
| up with a paint vendor who gives you very poor | | | | have an eye on increasing your overall productivity |
| recommendations on coatings in relation to dry times. | | | | and increasing your company's profitability? |
| This will lead to poor productivity. Make sure your | | | | -Yes, your paint vendor needs to have an eye on |
| paint vendor understands what you are trying to | | | | your business success. Having a paint & coatings |
| accomplish as an organization and select one who | | | | expert available who takes care of your company is |
| already knows your industry. This will allow your | | | | very important. With emerging paint technologies |
| operation to take advantage of the many paint | | | | always coming out on the market, your paint vendor |
| & coatings on the market that allow you to | | | | should be looking for coatings that increase your |
| better obtain your company goals. | | | | production times, decrease your overall material |
| 2) In regards to pricing, does your paint vendor / | | | | expense, and have business solutions that increase |
| representative have the knowledge about the | | | | your profitability as a company. If I've said it once |
| appropriate pricing in regards to your industry? | | | | I've said it a million times, this will always trump a |
| -This point is also very important. You certainly don't | | | | gallon price at the end of the day. |