For any company providing manufacturing, production or fabrication of aluminum parts and components, or for any Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with regular, ongoing orders of low to high volume, finding the best supplier of stock aluminum extrusions is an important factor.
Different metal suppliers or specialized aluminum distributors and suppliers will have different in-house inventories and on-hand sizes, types, and options in these stock aluminum extrusions.
As the name implies, the stock extrusion is one that is carried as part of the regular inventory. These are typically round, square and flat aluminum bar options, with different manufacturers of the stock extrusions providing various options with regards to dimensional tightness, straightness and internal grain structure within the extrusion.
Buying Ongoing Orders
For a single order, it is less important to ensure that the supplier is able to provide a continual level of the product to meet your orders. As long as they have what is needed in stock to the specifications that will work for your needs, the order is a simple one-time task.
However, for ongoing orders for OEMs, ensuring the company can provide the volume of stock aluminum extrusions on the schedule required will be critical. In these cases, check the company’s reputation for deliveries and order fulfillment. There are companies out there with amazingly high levels of order completion of the delivery schedule required.
Consider Other Aluminum Needs
Whether you are ordering stock or custom aluminum extrusions from an aluminum distributor, stop and consider the other aluminum products required. By using a specialized aluminum service center, it will be possible to place one order for all your aluminum needs, including plate and bar as well as the extrusions required.
With one order and one seller, the entire process is streamlined. There is also less paperwork and much less risk of an oversight or missed order as is common with multiple vendors all supplying different materials for a job.
