When maintaining equipment, the correct lubricant at the right time is essential. Whether you use an automated system or manual, you must ensure that the oil you choose is the right type, amount, and place.
Choosing the wrong lubricant can cause damage to your equipment. You should carefully pick a supplier that meets these five key considerations.
Reliability
A key consideration when selecting a lubricant supplier VA is reliability. It ensures that corrosive materials or poor-quality lubricants will not damage your equipment.
Reliability can be assessed in several ways. One way is to test a measurement instrument twice.
If the underlying thing that you are measuring does not change, the results from the first and second administrations should be comparable. This is a measure of reliability called test-retest reliability.
Another way to assess reliability is by administering different test versions to the same group of people. For example, if you were testing critical thinking skills, you might give a set of questions to a group of students twice.
Experience
Whether you’re an OEM, distributor, or end-user, experience plays an important role when choosing a lubricant supplier. A positive working relationship with a supplier can lower lubricant expenses, simplify maintenance problems, and boost overall productivity.
Moreover, having an experienced supplier can ensure that your lubricants are delivered in high quality and normal status. This will help prevent corrosion and lubricant contamination which can cause equipment failures.
Companies should understand and agree upon critical criteria during the lubricant supplier selection process. These include price, services offered, reliability, technical expertise, and more.
Customer Service
A crucial part of every business is providing excellent customer service. It can be given in several ways, including in-person at a company’s support center, online via social media, or in-store. It includes everything from helping customers select the right product to providing instructions on how to use it, resolving issues, and ensuring the customer is satisfied with their purchase.
One of the best customer service ploys is to offer in-product support in the form of an interactive product manual or app that incorporates a customer portal. This is a great way to build a better customer experience and stand out. It is also an excellent way to increase sales and improve customer retention. The most crucial factor is ensuring your customer support specialists have the tools they need to succeed.
Certifications
When choosing a lubricant supplier, evaluating whether they offer professional certifications is essential. These certifications demonstrate that the person has achieved a specific level of proficiency in their job.
Several certifications are available for lubrication professionals, each designed to address a different level of expertise in the field.
The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) offers four certifications, including Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA), Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT), Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA), and the new Machinery Lubrication Engineer (MLE). These certifications require work experience and professional training, and passing an exam.
Pricing
Pricing is one of the most important considerations when choosing a lubricant supplier. Companies need to understand the factors that affect lube-oil pricing, including transportation costs, base oil origin locations, and supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters or political unrest.
Identifying a lubricant supplier with a solid supply-chain strategy helps ensure that lube-oil products reach end-use customers promptly. This can help prevent supply-chain disruptions and reduce production losses.
Companies can also benefit from a lubricant supplier with chemistry expertise and various formulations. This allows the lubricant supplier to make a holistic recommendation based on the application’s chemistry, cost, and performance.
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