Running a construction business consists of a complex juggling act. There are so many different areas that you need to keep under control, from liaising with other contractors to ensuring materials are delivered on time.
A key part of that puzzle lies in keeping your machinery functioning properly at all times. In this article, we take a closer look at how you can optimise your construction machinery parts buying process, so that you always have the right parts on hand to keep the show moving.Â
Keep track
When starting to optimise your parts buying process, it’s best to start by optimising your inventory management system. You need to know what parts you have already, and to know exactly where it is when you need it.
It takes time to set up this kind of management system, and you’ll need to actively work on it to stay on top of things. Try to use a specifically designed appropriate software – it will make your life a whole lot easier.
Work with a specialist supplier
Another crucial thing to sort out is your supplier. You need to choose a service like EPD Parts that specialises in construction machinery parts, with proven support and expertise within the industry.
Not only will this mean that you can ensure access to the highest quality components, but it will also mean you’re able to ask them for advice.Â
Having someone knowledgeable to talk to when you’re not sure what to buy can be critical, and can make a big difference in the efficacy of your overall approach to maintenance and repair.
Standardise where possible
To streamline things as much as possible, you’ll need to standardise your machinery wherever you can. Try to use the same brand where you can, as long as it doesn’t compromise the functionality of your tools.Â
This will hopefully mean that you’ll be able to use the same parts across different machines, simplifying both the buying and inventory management processes.
Monitor your machinery
In a lot of cases, it will be preferable to repair machinery and replace parts before, rather than after they break. Of course, there are many exceptions to this, but it’s important to work out where preventative measures can save you a bit of trouble.
Make sure that you develop a well-thought-out approach to machine monitoring, so that you can order parts before you actually need them. This will help to keep downtime to an absolute minimum, allowing you to provide a smoother and more reliable service to your clients.Â
Optimising your parts-buying process might seem like a bit of a pain, but it can make things so much easier in the long run. By implementing a strategy that covers inventory management, parts sourcing, standardisation and machine monitoring, you can create a system that fully allows for proactive rather than reactive maintenance. This will help to keep costs at a minimum, while also keeping unnecessary disruptions to your operations as low as possible.
