Author Archive: Sales and Support

How to Avoid a Massive Crane Failure

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Cranes have many uses in the industrial world. They help to make light work of heavy-lifting tasks that would take time and a lot of workforces to complete.

Although no crane user wants to experience crane failure, it may happen at their workplace. This may result in downtime, but also cause injury and even death.

From 2011 to 2015, 220 total crane-related deaths occurred, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). As a crane user, you should take all the necessary steps to reduce this number.

Before starting any crane operations at your workplace, take the following precautionary measures.

1. Carry out Inspections to Avoid Crane Failure

Consider implementing a crane maintenance and inspection program.

The program will allow you to document the inspection results and use them to solve future problems. Inspect the machine by abiding by the manufacturer’s regulation.

Hire a certified crane inspector to conduct this activity.

2. Enact Policies on the Crane’s Operations

You can enact company policies to help prevent overhead crane accidents. The guidelines may offer insights on the integrity of the crane and worksite hazards.

Ask your workers to stick to a specific load rating and capacity of the equipment they’re using.

Take disciplinary action against employees that breach workplace rules.

Install collision-avoidance gadgets or circuitry on your cranes to implement your safety regulations.

Other devices to install include weigh scales, overload limiting gadgets, stop-limit and slow-down switches. Make every operator accountable for using these devices.

3. Train Your Personnel in Crane Maintenance and Operation Safety

Your company’s technicians must be knowledgeable about the safe practices for operating cranes. Their expertise should lie in troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing crane parts. Train them on worksite conduct and job-site safety.

Mandate your employees to use hand signals, warning lights, and radios to communicate crane failure. Ensure that they have the contacts of the technicians needed to initiate repairs.

They should also stay updated on the CMAA guidelines and other safety policies.

4. Grease the Bearings of the Sheaves Regularly

Lubricate the bearings of the crane’s sheaves to prevent crane noise.

Greasing helps prevent wear and tear caused by friction. Though this exercise is tiring and time-consuming to execute, it enables you to save the money needed for sheave repairs.

Your technicians can use rigging to access the sheaves and grease them.

5. Get a Crane Suited for a Specific Use

Cranes come in various forms, which each style tailored to a particular application. The smallest ones facilitate lifting operations inside workshops. You can find tall tower cranes used to construct high-rise buildings.

Ensure that your company the right crane to prevent injuries, damage or crane failure.

Don’t Let Crane Failure Degrade Your Company’s Productivity

Mitigate crane failure risks by carrying out routine maintenance and inspections. Seek out a competent person to identify mechanical problems in parts such as the crane motor. Check for damaged parts, worn-out wiring/ropes, fluid leakages, and cracks.

We perform modernizations and upgrades on crane equipment. We can also perform repair work on the equipment. We stock a range of crane spare parts to make the repair process smooth and fast.

Contact us in case you can’t find the part, product or service you need or to request a quote.

5 Signs of a Bad Clutch to Watch for with Your Farm Equipment

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When the clutch goes in farm equipment, it can take machinery out of action for weeks. The cost of farm vehicle downtime is too high a risk for large commercial and small farms to take.

That’s why it’s important to replace your clutch before it breaks. You’ll be able to plan maintenance downtime around other essential tasks, and your farm equipment won’t break right when you need it most.

Check out these signs of a bad clutch in need of repair. If any of your farm vehicles are showing these signs, it’s time to schedule a replacement before it breaks.

Signs of a Bad Clutch in Farm Equipment

The symptoms below are common indicators that an industrial clutch is in need of immediate replacement if you don’t want to face costly downtime of your equipment.

1. A Sticky Clutch

A clutch that refuses to come back with your foot is a sure sign of the slow road to failure. The clutch should return to the disengaged position as your foot moves up and away from the pedal. If it takes time to return or stays in the engaged position, there’s a problem.

A soft clutch is bad too, as this reduces the overall control the operator has over the equipment. However, a sticky clutch can make farm equipment tricky to operate and unreliable as changing gears becomes difficult.

On secondary clutch systems, you may also notice a belt pulley takes longer to come to a stop.

2. A Hard Clutch

Rather than sticking in the engaged position, a hard clutch is difficult to operate for both engagement and disengagement.

When pushed, a clutch should respond with a small amount of force to engage. A too-soft or too-hard clutch makes farm equipment challenging to operate and results in a rough ride when changing gears.

A secondary clutch, such as on a pulley system, may take longer to engage as a sign of a hard clutch on a more complex tractor and thresher systems.

A sticky two-stage clutch will result in difficulty finding the mid-way point between full disengagement, engine disengagement, and PTO disengagement.

3. High Engine Revs When the Clutch Is Engaged

Does the engine rev higher than usual when the clutch is depressed and fully engaged?

This is a sign of a slipping clutch, caused by a worn friction plate. Less friction on the flywheel and pressure plate causes higher engine revs, slow acceleration, and faster clutch disengagement.

If you’re unsure if the clutch is slipping, but there is a distinct burning smell accompanying slightly higher engine revs during clutch engagement, that’s a sure sign of a slipping clutch.

4. Strange Noises During Clutch Use

Carefully listen when you take the clutch through every motion. Strange sounds, squeals, hissing noises, or any loud clicks are all signs that something is wrong with your clutch.

A clutch should run smoothly without any additional noise. Familiar noises, such as squealing, could be a simple repair such as adding grease or removing rust. However, as soon as your clutch makes an abnormal noise, it’s time to take your clutch apart to diagnose the problem in case a full replacement is required.

5. Not Enough (or Too Much) Pedal Give

A good clutch should have about two inches of give when depressed before it begins to engage.

If your clutch travels a long way before engaging, or engages almost instantly when touched, it’s a sure sign that a repair or replacement is needed soon.

Where to Buy Your Industrial Clutch Replacement

If your farm equipment is showing any of the above signs of a bad clutch, it’s time to arrange downtime for the machinery urgently. You can then investigate and repair or replace parts without the detrimental effects of a sudden breakdown.

However, finding replacement parts can be difficult. Many industrial clutch parts are specialist and hard to track down.

We’re experts in finding custom or rare parts for industrial and farm machinery. If your clutch needs replacing, get in touch today.

7 Common Problems Caused by Overhead Cranes and How to Avoid Them

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Crane accidents result in loss of human life and can cost billions of dollars in property loss.

Unfortunately, many of the overhead crane accidents that occur could have been avoided with regular maintenance or proper operation.

We’ve gathered this list of seven of the most common problems seen in overhead cranes in hopes that you’ll avoid your own disaster on the job.

Keep reading to find out more about what to watch out for when using this potentially dangerous type of heavy machinery.

1. Damaged Wire Rope

Over time, the wire rope can become damaged due to normal wear and tear. It can also be damaged because of improper operation or environmental factors.

The three ways to tell a wire rope is too damaged to use are when you spot:

  • Birdcaging or unraveling of the strands
  • Corrosion
  • Visible damage

Immediately stop if you notice any of these during an inspection or operation.

2. Bent or Damaged Hooks

Another part of the overhead crane that can become damaged over time is the hook. Most often, these are damaged because of overloading. When they bend, there’s a higher chance they could break and lose the entire load.

3. Worn Out End Truck Wheels

The end truck wheels can become worn out naturally over time, or wear out more quickly than they should because of malaligned runways. Either way, if these wheels aren’t replaced as soon as necessary, it could spell disaster.

4. Malaligned Runways

If you hear loud scraping sounds, notice strange movements of the wheels or abnormal wear on the wheels, there’s a good chance the runways are malaligned. This is another problem with cranes that requires immediate attention.

5. Faulty Circuit

An overhead crane requires a large amount of power. Even so, it shouldn’t be blowing fuses regularly. If it is, it might have a faulty circuit which puts your entire team at risk.

6. Interrupted Contact

Another electrical problem many cranes have is with poor contact between the collector and the contact bars.

Interrupted contact can be caused by:

  • Alignment issues
  • Oxidization
  • Corrosion
  • Carbon graphite buildup

When contact is interrupted, it makes the crane far more difficult to operate, even for the most skilled of operators. This makes for a hazardous situation.

7. Electrical Hazards

This final common problem with overhead cranes has to do more with the operation of it rather than the crane itself.

When crane operators aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, they may come into contact with electrical lines. This can cause the entire crane to become electrified and often leads to the death of the operator and others nearby.

Want to Learn More About Over Head Crane Safety?

Now you know what some of the most common problems are with overhead cranes. Keep an eye out for these things, and you can help prevent a disaster in your company.

If you want to learn more about overhead crane safety, check out our blog. There are tons of posts there to help you better understand all types of heavy machinery.

5 Must-Follow Mine Safety Tips to Prevent Mining Accidents

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Mining accidents now claim more lives than ever worldwide. According to the Chicago Tribune, deaths and injuries reached an all-time high in 2017 with 15 deaths occurring in the United States.

And more recently, a mining accident in China killed 22 miners. But many of these mining accidents can be avoided sparing the lives of many mining professionals.

If you work in the mining industry, here’s what you need to know about mining to keep yourself and your employees safe.

5 Safety Tips to Prevent Mining Accidents

Accidents aren’t intentional, but they’re often preventable. Here are five crucial mine safety tips.

1. Be Aware Mining Is A Dangerous Business

The first thing you need to keep in your mind is that mining is a hazardous business. Be diligent of your surroundings while you work. You need to be vigilant and alert every second.

Be aware of not only your own actions and surroundings but the people around you.

2. Protect Yourself with Safety Equipment

Having the best mining equipment is a must, but when you’re down below, always wear safety equipment. Check to make sure your workers have on helmets and are wearing safety glasses and safety gloves.

It might feel more comfortable to work without safety equipment, but in the event of mining accidents, it can be the difference between life and death. If you’re the supervisor, insist safety equipment must be worn. Many workers’ lives have been saved by wearing helmets.

3. Don’t Overlook Safety for Production Goals

During planning stages, it’s important to consider safety as well as efficiency. As a supervisor, you may want to cut corners to reach work deadlines.

But never overlook safety requirements to speed up production, save time and boost revenue.

Investigate potential accidents, always evaluate risks. When you discover a risk, inform your workers with specific directions on how to avoid each risk or the possibility of mining accidents while working in the mines.

4. Clearly Define Safety Procedures

In the case of a mining accident, employees need to know how to handle it. To make this happen, clearly, define safety procedures from the outset. When documenting safety procedures, list the possible incidents that could take place.

Then follow up the potential incidents with the actions that need to be taken and the appropriate supervisor to contact. To keep safety procedures in the minds of workers, post signs in areas where your mining team can view them.

5. Know and Follow Up-to-Date Safety Standards

It’s essential to keep up to date with the most recent safety standards. Make sure your company services all safety equipment frequently and the equipment matches the current standards for safety.

When equipment no longer meets safety regulations, replace the equipment immediately even if you have to delay your project timeline. Don’t permit your miners to use outmoded safety equipment.

Final Thoughts on Preventing Mining Accidents

While there’s no guarantee that all mining accidents can be eradicated, many accidents can be prevented when exercising proper safety precautions.

Follow these five safety recommendations to avoid careless mistakes that others have made to keep your team safe and in the know, avoid mining accidents and possible tragedies.

Kor-Pak is your go-to provider for braking systems for mining applications and much more. Contact us today to learn more about our competitively priced mining products.

Magnesium Vs. Aluminum: How to Choose an Alloy for Your Custom Casting Project

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Casting is the process of using molds or other material to shape metal. Like a snowflake, every casting project is different.

Die casting, for example, uses dies made of high-quality steel to create the shape of the metal part. Die casting is one of the most efficient manufacturing processes. It allows you to make hundreds of parts using the same custom dies.

One crucial part of creating a custom casting system is deciding on the best metal. Two of the most common metals are aluminum and magnesium. And they are often used in combination with each other or other metals.

In this article, we’ll take a look at magnesium versus aluminum for your next custom casting project.

Why Choose an Alloy?

When a metal mixes with another metal or element, it forms an alloy. Alloys are stronger than using the pure metals themselves, which is what makes them better for the manufacturing process.

Each alloy has different properties that affect the strength and longevity of the pieces made with it. Alloys need at least one metal to start with. Trace amounts of other metals and elements, such as silicon and copper, are then added.

Let’s take a look at the two most common metal bases for alloys: Aluminum and magnesium.

Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum is the most common metal used in die casting. It’s lightweight, but still structurally sound. And it’s the cheapest of all the casting metals.

Another great benefit of aluminum is that it is anti-corrosive. This gives your casted parts better longevity. It also has a high melting point which makes it stronger at higher temperatures than other metals, like zinc.

The higher the aluminum levels, the more risk you have of shrinkage or cracking. So it’s often mixed with silicon to allow for more fluidity. Or copper, which makes the alloy harder and stronger.

Magnesium Alloys

With magnesium, it’s weight is the biggest asset. Magnesium is the lightest of all alloys used for casting. It’s often combined with other elements, including aluminum, to create a lighter alloy.

Depending on your project, you may benefit from lower fuel costs by using magnesium parts instead of aluminum. Magnesium also takes less time to solidify after mold injection and is often considered to have better castability than aluminum.

Despite its advantages, magnesium is still not as stable as aluminum. It bends easier under stress. And it’s more expensive than aluminum.

Magnesium Versus Aluminum: The Choice is Yours

When trying to decide between magnesium versus aluminum, the choice is yours. Both metals create alloys that are useful for their respective applications.

Does your project call for stronger parts that won’t corrode over time? Then aluminum might be the best option.

Can you sacrifice some strength to get a lighter component? Then magnesium might work well for your design.

No matter what you decide, the experts at Kor-Pak are here to help you design your project. We want to see our customers succeed with custom fabricated parts. Contact us today to learn more about what we can offer you.

3 Top Techniques Metal Fabrication Companies Use on Custom Projects

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The very core of industry relies on the backs of metal fabrication companies.

Without them, we lose the ability of thousands of industries to operate as they do.

Even knowing this, what does metal fabrication mean? What do these companies do?

The answer is long and complex, but here are the basics.

Understanding Metal Fabrication Companies

It is always a good idea to know what you are buying before you buy it. Someone may tell you; you need a metal fabrication company. If you don’t know what they do, how do you know if that is the right idea?

What is metal fabrication? It is the entire process of taking raw metal materials and crafting them into useful objects.

The process includes smelting of metals, manufacturing alloys, and superalloys, and crafting these materials in the appropriate shapes.

The process has dozens of extra steps and techniques to get from raw materials to the machinery you need. Here are some of the more major ones.

Fabrication Techniques

These techniques are some of the most common you might request from a metal fabrication company. They are the foundation of altering raw materials to usable parts.

1. Cutting

Cutting is a simple action. When you deal with metal, a simple knife will not do. Working with metal requires precision and powerful tools.

A plasma torch is a standard tool for cutting through metal. The plasma torch can reach temperatures of over 45,000 degrees.

Other standard tools range from high power lasers to pressurized jets of water. Each of these tools can slice through metal with ease.

Cutting metal can be a dangerous process. This is why it is best to hire on professionals to do such tasks.

2. Bending

Bending metal into the perfect exact shape needs powerful, but accurate, tools.

Many machines need cylinders or curved pieces. You can’t hammer a piece of steel by hand and maintain that the precise curves and surface that the machine needs.

A key to metal bending is press brakes. These simple machines press the sheet metal between a wedge and a similarly shaped gap. This forces the metal to bend to the precise shape of the gap.

There are many other techniques. All of them based on a variety of bends and curves. A good machine metal fabricator can do any number of shapes as needed.

3. Welding

Sometimes you don’t need to alter one piece of metal but instead combine many parts together.

Welding is the act of superheating metal pieces along the connecting edges to melt them together. Done well, this creates a strong bond with minimal deformities.

Welding techniques range from handheld devices to large computer-driven machines.

Two common processes are MIG and TIG welding. MIG welding uses a continuous feed of energy through a single wire. TIG welding instead uses a tungsten electrode to produce the weld, using an inert gas like argon to protect the weld.

Fit It All Together

Metal fabrication companies put a lot of training and technology behind their process. The best in the industry have experts in their field and a refined process.

No matter what you might need, a good fabricator has you covered. Your business needs quality results, and we at Kor-Pak will lead you there every time.

 

3 Simple Maintenance Tips to Extend Your Work Machinery’s Lifespan

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The faster your work machinery falls apart, the more you’re going to have to devote to it in your budget.

Frequent repairs and replacing machinery add up quickly. However, regular maintenance can keep your costs down and your machines up and running. The better your machinery is maintained, the less often you need to fix it.

Expanding your machinery’s lifespan is easier than you might imagine. We’ve gathered three simple ways for you to do just that.

Keep reading to find out more about how to use equipment maintenance to save you time and money.

1. Create an Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

The best thing you can do to maintain your work machinery is to create a schedule. If everything is inspected every morning at 8 AM sharp, it’s much more likely that small problems will be caught before they become big ones.

Some things you and your employees should be looking for during these inspections are:

  • General wear and tear
  • Lubrication levels
  • Loose parts
  • Parts that are moving which should not be
  • Parts that aren’t moving but should be
  • Anything out of the ordinary

Something else to set up is an official maintenance schedule. You should know how long each part in your machine is supposed to last, and replace it when it reaches that time, even if it still appears to be working fine.

While this may sound difficult, it’s as simple as keeping a log book devoted to each of your machines. Whenever anything is done with the machine, write it down.

Stay on top of it, and you’ll always know when a part needs to be replaced.

2. Keep Work Machinery Clean

Dust and grime can quickly wear out parts, especially those that move fast. Dirt creates friction which heats up and damages parts.

Part of your regular maintenance should, therefore, be cleaning industrial machinery. If you don’t clean it, you run the risk of those small particles getting into everything and causing damage.

Something else to keep clean is the work areas. Depending on your work environment, this may be difficult. However, every step you take to keep the area clean will help keep your machinery clean and lasting longer.

3. Properly Train Operators

Whether someone learned strictly on the job or took heavy equipment operator classes, it’s vital you ensure each person that operates a piece of machinery knows what they’re doing.

Improper machine usage is one of the things that contribute to wear and tear on machines. Someone may be pushing it too hard or using it for something it wasn’t intended to do.

Don’t assume because someone knows how to operate a piece of machinery that they can do it properly. To avoid needing to replace your industrial equipment because of improper use, make sure everyone is trained.

Want More Heavy Machinery Tips?

Now you have three simple ways to keep your work machinery operating well so it will last for its entire lifespan.

If you want more tips on owning and operating heavy machinery, check out our blog. There, you can find everything you need to know about industrial equipment purchasing, maintenance, inspection, installation, and replacement.

5 Easy Tips to Keep Your Loader Machine Running For Years to Come

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Are you looking for ways to maintain and preserve your front end loader machine?

To keep your loader working, you need to know how to care for it and which mistakes to avoid.

Proper maintenance and care help your machine to work better, and it extends the life of your equipment. These five simple tips ensure your loader will serve you well for years to come.

1. Take Time for General Maintenance

Skipping the general maintenance can cause wear and tear on your machine. Taking the time to perform maintenance checks reduces the stress put on high-wear areas.

This preventative maintenance checklist goes over all the parts of your front end loader.

Buckets, in particular, can take a beating over time. Make sure to grease them to prevent damage.

Keep an eye on your wear plates as well. Make sure to replace or turn them if they’re getting worn down or you risk costly repairs.

2. Keep Your Front End Loader Machine Clean

Extend the life of your heavy equipment by keeping it cleaned properly.

Wash your loader equipment down on a regular basis. This helps you detect and remove debris that gets lodged in the wheels, undercarriage, or along the windows.

This is also a good time to check for any hydraulic leaks or damaged parts. Finding and fixing these issues early prevents downtime and hefty repair costs.

If you do need repairs, make sure to have it serviced sooner rather than later.

3. Avoid Overexerting the Brakes

Over-applying the brakes can lead to overheating and excessive wear. Hitting the brakes too often results in them wearing out.

To prevent brake failure, take some precautions:

  • Train your operators to go slow
  • Avoid sudden and frequent stops
  • Never ride the brakes

Allow the machine to slow down on its own before braking. Knowing how to declutch also reduces stress on the brakes.

Practicing these tips and following safety requirements ensures that your equipment lasts longer and creates a safer work environment.

4. Skip the High-Speed Shifts

Operators that switch from one direction to another too quickly without using the brakes are overheating the transmission and torque converter. These high-speed shifts cause unnecessary wear and tear.

This can result in these components wearing out too fast. Make sure your operators aren’t guilty of this bad habit.

If you do notice frequent problems, make sure you’re keeping up with maintenance checks and look for warning lights.

5. Let It Warm Up and Cool Down

When learning how to operate a front end loader, operators should always allow time for warm up and cool down periods.

Stick to the recommended warm-up time in the manufacturer’s guidelines. Letting the system reach the proper temperature ensures optimal performance.

Make sure equipment has enough time to shut down. The machine should idle for roughly two or three minutes before shutting down. This keeps the turbochargers from spinning for too long and the bearings from running dry.

Keep Your Front End Loaders Working Efficiently

Always take good care of your heavy equipment by keeping up with routine maintenance checks and cleaning. Also, remember to get your front end loaders in for service on a regular basis.

Instructing operators of your front end loader machine to follow the manufacturer guidelines prevents components from overheating and breaking down.

If you have a question about a part or need special service, contact us or request a quote.

Wet or Dry? How to Choose the Right Types of Brakes for Your Equipment

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Brake technology has been around for well over a hundred years.

And during that time, there have been significant developments, from drum brakes to hydraulic brakes and disc brakes.

While there are a vast variety of types of brakes, many braking applications fall into two categories: wet brakes and dry brakes.

So read on as we take a closer look at the pros and cons of each type.

Dry Brakes

The earliest incarnations of brakes were all dry brakes.

From the first wooden blocks used to slow horse-drawn vehicles, through to today’s modern disc brakes, dry brakes have always been the most common type of brakes used. As the name suggests, dry brakes are left open to the air and do not operate inside any type of fluid.

Advantages

The advantages of disc brakes are based on their simplicity.

Since dry brakes need no additional housing or fluid, they are simple to fit and cheaper to install. If you have a problem with dry brakes, you won’t need to take the entire transmission apart to get to the problem. It is also much easier to see when they are wearing out.

Disadvantages

The disadvantage of a dry brake system is that since there is less lubrication than a wet brake system, they will wear out much more quickly. This means that dry brakes will need replacing much more regularly.

Dry brakes also do not have the same level of stopping power as wet brakes and will overheat under heavy use.

Wet Brakes

As the name suggests, wet brakes operate in a fluid. They are usually mounted internally and run within the transmission fluid itself.

By running wet brakes inside a fluid, it gives wet brakes properties much different to those of dry brakes. This can offer real benefits for industrial equipment.

Advantages

Wet brakes are under constant lubrication, which means that they wear much more slowly. Wet brakes will last far longer than dry brakes do. Since they are under less stress, they also require less adjustment than dry brakes.

The fluid also helps to cool the brakes which means they are far more stable under heavy load as they are much slower to overheat.

Disadvantages

Since the brakes are mounted internally, if you want to access the brakes you first need to drain the transmission fluid.

Wet brakes are also more expensive up front than dry brakes. Since they last much longer than dry brakes, this initial expense is often mitigated over time.

Looking for the Best Types of Brakes for Your Needs?

If you’re looking for the best types of brakes for your equipment, then we’re here to help.

We offer a wide range of industrial brakes and clutches. We offer a great variety of size, torque, and style so you should be able to find something to suit your every need. We can also design custom brakes and clutches to your specifications.

And it’s not just brakes and clutches; we have all the parts you need to keep your heavy industry machinery operating at peak efficiency. Feel free to take a look around.

On-the-Job Tips for an Industrial Purchasing Agent

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It’s your first day on the job. Your new boss takes you around and introduces you to the rest of the team.

You’re not sure how you got here, but the sign on your office says, “Purchasing Agent” and now you’ve got to perform.

Your business degree didn’t prepare you for this-but the money’s good, and you have a title.

Your job description mentions something about inventory. The last time you did inventory was when you worked at that burger joint. Does that count?

You checked off a bunch of skills on your application, but you’re feeling a little sick.

Negotiating isn’t really in your wheelhouse, and apparently, it’s a requirement.

So, what do you do now?

Don’t sweat it! We’ve come up with a few tips for industrial purchasing agents.

Enhance Computer Skills

A purchasing agent uses computer skills for every aspect of their job.

You roll your eyes and say, “that’s a no-brainer,” but what software skills did you bring to the table when you applied for your current position?

Consider a few ways you use data in your job.

You collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends. Your findings help track and budget expenses. They’re used as a tool for purchase planning.

Spreadsheets bring data from multiple sources and consolidate information in a single location. Using spreadsheets helps identify trends–an essential part of your job.

Your job means you deal not just with sourcing parts for heavy machinery. You’ll also handle sourcing service providers. Spreadsheets keep all parts of your job organized in a central place, which makes you work more efficiently.

In addition to spreadsheet skills, knowing your way around a word processing program will make life on the easier.

Refine Research Skills

Another tip designed to make an industrial purchasing agent more successful focuses on something many people have a love/hate relationship with research.

Put aside the unpleasant memories of college writing assignments and refine your research skills.

You spend a considerable amount of time reviewing sales and inventory records. That’s research!

But what about researching the history of your industry?

Figure out what industries your customers are in and spend time researching those as well. It might help you make better purchasing decisions when you also understand your own end users.

How much time do you invest in evaluating current and potential suppliers? You make decisions about your suppliers based on more than just their prices.

Those decisions come from researching:

  • Quality of products
  • Selection
  • Service and support
  • Production and distribution capabilities
  • Reputation and history.

You must find the most cost-effective products and sources. If you have poor research skills or tell yourself you hate research, it’s time for a change in mindset.

Sharpen Communication Skills

Good relationships with suppliers are a critical aspect of a purchasing buyer’s job. Vendors can make your life difficult by delaying orders. Or they can efficiently manage your last-minute requests for supplies and services.

Your strong people skills will help you develop strong relationships not only with vendors but with your own team members.

People who can communicate effectively are usually also great at building rapport.

When you build rapport with your external and internal team members your earn the reputation of a person who gets things done. That may sound simplistic, but it comes in handy when you want a raise or promotion.

Perfect Your Negotiation Skills

In the world of the industrial purchasing agent, poor negotiation skills can result in lost profits for your organization. It can also mean missed opportunities and promotions for you personally.

You must perfect your negotiation skills so you can come to the table confidently and decisively.

There’s no room for the timid mouse who asks for better pricing and terms.

A good negotiator demands the best rates and conditions for the business. Confidence is what drives an effective negotiation.

Your negotiation skills are a critical part of your organization’s overall profitability. If you implement a few negotiation tips and tricks so that you can source materials, goods, and services at a low cost, it shows your organization you’re a worthwhile investment.

If you haven’t spent time on your negotiation skills, consider taking an online course.

Ask your employer if they would consider covering the costs. Despite what we said earlier about timid mice, this is not a situation where you should make demands.

Develop Foreign Language Skills

English is the native language of the United States.

Nothing new about that but are there any other countries in the world where English is the primary language spoken?

So, you took Spanish, German, or French way back in high school, right?

Can you have a conversation today in the language you studied in high school or college?

The ability to speak a foreign language enables a purchasing agent to buy products from around the globe. When you can communicate in a foreign language rapport building is easier.

Imagine negotiating prices in your vendor’s language. First, there’s less chance of misunderstanding. Second, the relationship becomes a partnership rather than one of vendor and buyer.

Everyone involved in your business, including your customers benefit from working with people across the globe. If it weren’t for global business, we’d miss out on a whole world of excellent supplies and services.

Learning a foreign language doesn’t mean you need to go back to school. A quick online search will return a wide range of language learning tools, including apps for your phone.

Be the Best Purchasing Agent

Enough can’t be said about striving for excellence, and that’s especially true for you if you work as a purchasing agent. You’re one of the major players in your company’s profitability.

We hope you got something out of reading our tips.

If you’re interested in researching us and the ways we can help you source industrial machinery parts, contact us today. We’d love to help!