Direct or Supplier Relationship?

Some people deal direct with the manufacturer and others deal through a supplier. When you deal with a middle person, you are paying additional mark up and waiting due to several extra required steps to begin processing an order. When dealing direct you have more control over the relationship so it’s wise to carefully weigh your options before making a decision.

Location

Where is the chemical manufacturer located? If you are in the UK, for instance, you may want someone local, particularly if you need to meet with the company to discuss your needs and particularly if you want to tour the facility before making a decision. If you are in the U.S, and you cater to a European market you might still be willing to go with someone in the UK, depending on the market you service and other factors as well. Carefully look at your business model and consider the pros and cons of doing business with someone local versus someone overseas.

Reputation

Check out the reputation of the chemical company you plan on dealing with. Who are their existing and past clients? What do their existing and past customers say about them? What is their safety record like? Are they the sort of company your business brand should align itself with?How fast can get they take products from concept to market for you? Do some due diligence before signing a contract.

Customer Service

It can be evident quickly through the sourcing process whether or not a company makes customer service and client satisfaction a priority. How long do they take to return calls? Do they make promises on delivery dates? Finding the right company to deal with, particularly if you rely on them for a component of your business, or to manufacture something that you sell, will help you make your own business more streamlined and profitable.

Diversity

Is the company able to supply a diverse set of products for your needs today and tomorrow? What about packaging and what about storage? Some companies specialise in one area of manufacture whereas others offer an array of manufacturing and related products and services. Consider your needs both today as well as tomorrow when solidifying a business relationship with someone will manufacture something you need.

Cost

Of course pricing is going to be a consideration. But, beyond the unit cost, consider the cost of doing business as well. Looking at the above factors can help you find a manufacturer that is easy to do business with.

Industrial metal adhesives include hot metal adhesives, epoxy adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, sealants, thermoset adhesives, UV curing adhesives, silicon adhesives, acrylic adhesives, and other chemical adhesives. Basically, these are the components that make up the various types of adhesives that are used in industries to bond metal together. The names not only reflect the chemical makeup of the various adhesives, but also their adhesion properties. Depending on the type of bond that is sought after and what types of metals are being bonded, a specific type of adhesive will be used.

Acrylic adhesives are known for their excellent environmental resistance, which means they can stand up to a pounding in extreme weather conditions, such as rain, sleet, or frost. Also, compared to other resin-adhesives, acrylic adhesives have a fast setting time for jobs that need to be finished quickly. Cyanoacrylates, more commonly known as super glue, is a type of acrylic adhesive that cures instantly on contact through a process that involves surface moisture. If bonding metals together that will be placed in high temperatures, the types of adhesives that would work best for the job are Phenolic, melamine, and urea formaldehyde resins.

Polyurethane adhesives offer a strong bond, but it’s one that includes a great deal of flexibility. These types of industrial metal adhesives also perform well on durability tests and have a high level of impact resistance. Rubber and silicone adhesives are also offered as sealants. The rubber examples of these offer the most flexibility when needed. The silicone-based adhesives and sealants, on the other hand, are more rigid and offer a high degree of durability, in addition to resistance to high temperatures.

The previously mentioned adhesives are all defined on their chemical makeup. There are others, however, that are defined by their adhesion properties. These include hot metal adhesives, pressure sensitive and contact adhesives, thermoset adhesives, and UV curing adhesives. Hot metal adhesives can be softened by exposing them to heat and hardened again by cooling off. This allows for repositioning of metal parts in case a mistake is made, or if finite measurements need to be in place. Thermoset adhesives are set into place and cured using heat or a mixture of head and pressure. Finally, UV curing adhesives use ultraviolet or other types of radiation to cure, offering a permanent bond that doesn’t need heat to set.