When it comes to doing business, there is a lot of lingo used for describing different aspects of the business. Having insight into the most common terms used in your industry helps you educate your team, business partners, and customers on various aspects of your industry. Here is a list of some of the top industry terms you might hear on a typical day.

Consignment Inventory - Consigned Inventory is inventory that is still owned by the supplier, but the customer has it on hand. When the customer uses or sells the inventory, the supplier then gets paid. This creates a form of financial security and freedom for the customer. 

Non-Consigned inventory – Non-consigned inventory is a traditional form of inventory where the customer pays for the inventory as it is needed to be replenished. When you need new parts or products, you order and pay for those goods.  

Inventory management - To keep things simple, inventory management is the management of inventory and stock. Inventory management ensures that correct levels of stock are always on hand. This has a lot of benefits for your business. However, having the right inventory at ALL times is a crucial component for your business. Read more about inventory management here: https://blog.austinhardware.com/what-is-inventory-management 

Austin Hardware® is a leading supplier for critical industries, including life-saving devices for ambulances, EMTs, and other emergency vehicles. We are proud to offer the B Lift hydraulic bariatric power lift as part of our complete line of solutions for life-saving industries. We truly believe that this is a beneficial and innovative product that will save lives and make the jobs of our important first responders easier and more efficient.

Not only does our product provide safety solutions, but it is also durable, strength tested, and made in the U.S. with quality parts and craftsmanship. The average EMS response time is 14-16 minutes, meaning that each minute is crucial, we aim to maximize the time that emergency medical technicians can focus on response time while providing a safe way to accomplish that. Providing quicker response times for emergency medical care, as well as enhancing patient care is important to providing the best solutions for safety. 

It’s no secret that Austin Hardware® is in the business of offering solutions for your business, by creating custom-engineered products that are designed to be innovative, intuitive and perfect for a variety of industries. Through our quest to create innovative products, we were able to create the Flexi-Vent, Flexible Mounting Cowl Vent as a strong competitor in today’s market. We listened to our customers' needs about creating an innovative design that was practical as it was original. With the flexible cowl vent, we solved three major problems seen on the market and was able to provide a solution for a variety of applications and industries. Ready to learn more? Keep Reading below.

What is a Door or Lid Assist? 

One type of hardware commonly overlooked in daily lives is door or lid assists. Every time you open a heavy door or lid, more than likely, you are using a lid assist. They are not only practical; they provide a layer of safety as well. Assists also offer strength, but also allow doors to open and close smoothly. So what is a lid or door assist, and how are they most commonly used? 

When it comes to Drawer Release Systems, there are a variety of ways you can incorporate them into your work truck, utility vehicle, or emergency vehicle. Drawer release systems are a great way to organize tools, emergency equipment, safety supplies, and more while keeping everything safely stored while the vehicle is in motion. These are just a few of the ways that you can use our products, but the possibilities are endless. There are many different types of drawer release systems and methods to be custom-fitted or designed for your specific needs.

When it comes to lifting, latching, closing, opening, sealing, and so on, you're more than likely depending on a handle to help you out. We use handles so often that we don't even realize how much we use them daily. There are different types of handles for different types of applications. There are also different types of handles to address different kinds of issues.

When it comes to safety, LifeDefender™ not only meets the industry standards, we helped to establish them. From our beginnings, we worked with a select group of emergency vehicle and ambulance manufacturers to set the toughest safety standards as well as design products that meet these standards. Our rigorous safety standards keep occupants inside emergency vehicles safe during transport. Austin Hardware's LifeDefender™ Cabinet Security Frames have been designed to provide a solution to meet the *SAE, CAAS GVS & NFPA safety standards. In addition to meeting strict safety standards, our frames are crash-tested to ensure that the vehicle occupants, EMS workers, and patients are safe during transport and in case of an accident.  

Not only is safety our top concern, but we also created a top-quality design for all of our products. We utilized our custom engineering services to create efficient, quality-designed products. The LifeDefender™ line designs feature a quick and easy installation for quick assembly of emergency vehicles. Our cabinets are designed for ease of use, and some only require one-handed use for on-the-go applications. The simple, functional design is not only handy but is also suitable for many different uses, including marine and RV applications. LifeDefender™ has designed one tough frame and offers a variety of products to fit different needs and applications. Each product is designed with safety in mind as well as easy installation and use.  

Have you been looking for the right hinge for your project or design? Can’t seem to find the right one? You are not alone.  It’s not uncommon to have a difficult time determining what hardware you may need for a project. With so many options on the market, you might be wondering what to look for or have few questions to help you make the right decision. At Austin Hardware®, we have the product knowledge and customer service team ready and available to provide suggestions and solutions for your hinge needs. Whether you’re a large business, small business, or Do-It-Yourself enthusiast looking for hinges for a project, we are here to help you.

When it comes to outfitting your vehicle or vessel with quality lighting, it is important to find the right company that provides quality as well as safety. Austin Hardware® is in the business of securing solutions for our customers, and that means partnering with companies that offer quality products and solutions for the many industries we serve. We’ve partnered with TecNiq Inc., a pioneering lighting company, to provide even more solutions and quality products for our customers.

What is TecNiq?

TecNiq Inc. is an engineer-owned company that provides consistent quality in the form of quality lighting solutions for a variety of applications. Being engineer-owned means one thing, a commitment to providing quality products with high-quality design and functionality. In addition to quality products from TecNiq, Austin Hardware® also has a focus and dedication to customer service. This type of focus on quality and consistency is what sets TecNiq and Austin Hardware® apart from other companies within the lighting space.

Think of your company and its many goals, pain points, and other concerns for your business. Now think about how you can provide the best solutions for your customers. Custom engineering allows you to deliver what your customers need. You are creating one-of-a-kind projects, tailored to fit specific needs. The right engineering team works with your business to understand your unique set of goals. Still reading?  Great, think of your current business, and your long-term goals. Now, consider if any of the following would help your business:

Major benefits of custom engineering:

• Quality Control
• Additional Advice and Guidance
• Improved User Experience
• Resource Management
• Cost Reduction
• Reduced Engineering Overhead

Where to Start

When sourcing custom engineering, you need to find a company that has the experience, dedication to quality, and the right resources for the project. The right provider will take the time to determine what application you are designing for as well as specifics related to a project. Next, they will take the time to create what your company and customers need based on a thorough understanding of the solution required by you and your team. In this situation, time is on your side, because you can be sure that the right amount of time is being given to create the right solution.