Why the Cheapest Industrial Product Is Not Always the Most Economical Choice
The purchasing price of the industrial product is visible and easily compared; the effect on the process is often distributed to different budgets. Cheaper adhesive can be consumed more, cheaper lubricant can be applied more often or can improve cheaper nozzle line posture. Economical decision compares total cost per acceptable product.
Variables hiding by unit price
The price per kilogram, liter, or unit does not show consumption, scrap, application time, or product yield. A concentrated or high-performance product may work at a lower dosage despite a higher unit price. Conversely, a cheaper product can increase consumption variability, scrap, and rework. Comparisons should therefore be normalized to the same production output.
Process and quality cost
Open-time incompatible cycle can slow down; nozzle clogging posture; insufficient heat resistance opening in customer field; false lubrication can create energy and bearing loss. These effects may be massive from purchasing unit price. However, the frequency of incident, minutes and part data should be used instead of assumption.
Technical support and supply risk
Accurate sample, commissioning support, TDS-SDS access, lot consistency and quick problem solution is part of the value of the product. Long delivery time or uncertain document gives additional stock and risk cost in critical production. Supplier evaluation should also include service level and change notification up to price.
Fair pilot comparison
Candidates products are tested with the same surface, equipment, cycle and acceptance criteria. Parameters are optimized in the manufacturer range for each product; not only inserted into the existing setting and the result is taken. Gram/piece, good product rate, application time, maintenance intervention and operator feedback are saved. The decision is based on a total value.
Application control list
- Convert comparison to cost per good product.
- Add consumption, labor, energy and posture.
- Determine common criteria for quality and customer risk.
- Rate the document, supply and technical support value.
- Do a controlled pilot in the same conditions.
Conclusion
Because the cheapest product is wrong, it is not always the most economical because it does not only disclose the process result per single price. The right choice is made of measured performance and total cost.
Manstechnic approach
Manstechnic compares product offering with technical solution partner approach to field trial, process data and life cycle effect transparently.