What to Look for In An Electrical Distributor
For foremen on jobsites, there is nothing more important than getting the parts and materials they need to get the day’s work done. But how do those parts make it to the jobsite? Who catches mistakes? What if you need to change an order or delivery? More than parts, those foremen need a partner. For Nick Tostenson, a general foreman in cable management for Miller Electric, partnering with an electrical distributor, like Van Meter, helps keep his jobsite running smoothly. Below are three tips for working with an electrical distributor that has set him up for success.
1. FIND A RELIABLE PARTNER WHO CAN MEET DEADLINES
Tostenson works on a hyperscale project near Omaha, NE, where he oversees a crew of workers. His main concern is reliability and getting materials on time to the right place on the jobsite. Since he orders materials, there is comfort in knowing he can rely on someone to catch and correct mistakes.
“I want someone who is not afraid to say, ‘This doesn’t look right. Is this correct?” he said. “I would rather answer that question before wire is cut to length and everything is totally wrong.”
In addition, foremen need parts on site, so their workforce can do their jobs. Tostenson said partnering with a distributor, like Van Meter, helps him meet deadlines, and he credits his inside sales representative for their attention to detail.
“When I make a mistake, Van Meter always catches it. It’s great because I’m human and make mistakes too,” he said. “Or I can always call and say, ‘Hey, this is wrong, we need to fix it,’ and it’s usually delivered and fixed the next day.”
To support customers like Nick, Van Meter has three regional distribution centers and more than $200 million of in-stock inventory to help get the right parts to the right place at the right time.
2. PARTNER WITH PEOPLE WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND
While a good distributor can consistently meet deadlines, a great distributor can adapt on the fly and solve unforeseen challenges at a moment’s notice.
“Sometimes I have weird requests where we need to rush order something two hours before closing time, and Van Meter still gets it there,” said Tostenson.
Van Meter runs a truck from its Kansas City distribution center to Tostenson’s job site in Omaha. In another example, there was a crucial wire order that was already in transit to be delivered, and Tostenson realized he ordered the wrong wire size.
“I said I messed up and asked if I could get the correct size delivered ASAP,” he said. “I would have been okay with getting it the next morning, but [Van Meter] made an extra trip just to get it there the same day, which is crazy coming from Kansas City.”
The delivery drivers can often be overlooked, but they are an important part of working with a distributor. Tostenson said the best delivery drivers will go out of their way to do what is needed. At times, Tostenson has had to call a driver as they were taking off and ask them to load up a part and take it to Miller Electric’s prefab shop. “It’s out of their way, but they get it done with no complaints,” he said.
A distributor who is willing to go above and beyond, be flexible to solve customer challenges and bring innovate solutions, can create lasting value for your business.
3. CHOOSE A PARTNER WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE AND COMMUNICATES WELL
While Tostenson relies on his distributor to catch mistakes before they happen, sometimes the distributor makes a mistake. When that happens, taking responsibility adds a lot of value for Tostenson.
“If you are willing to own a mistake, that means a lot to me,” he said. “Then, if you give me your word in the future, I’m going to believe it because you have already proven you are accountable.”
Tostenson said a good distributor does not get defensive or make excuses. The best way to proceed is getting the right parts on site so they can operate the next day.
Whether it is the weather or some unforeseen circumstance, sometimes it is not possible to deliver orders the next day. When that happens, Tostenson said communication is key.
“Van Meter does a good job of communicating and keeping me updated if a delivery is canceled because of weather,” he said. “They don’t have to, but they make sure I know what’s going on.”
Whether it is communication, reliability or going above and beyond, finding the right distributor partner is critical to setting you and your on-site team up for success
Would you like to partner with a distributor like Van Meter on your next project? Call 1-800-247-1410 with questions, or fill out a credit application online to become a Van Meter customer.