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.

How does custom kitting work?

Inventory kitting, custom kitting or bundling products together is a strategy that allows businesses to save time and money. Instead of buying products one by one, kitting is a way to buy all the parts and products you need – say for manufacturing a good – therefore cutting out unnecessary purchasing steps. Seems simple, yet many businesses do not offer or utilize this type of service. Essentially everything you or your customers need are grouped and supplied together to make things easier for you. There are different ways that custom kitting works, and different ways that businesses can use this service to their advantage.

If you run a business, you know how busy your day can be. There’s a lot to do, and a lot of hats you must wear throughout the day. Having one less thing on your to-do list can make your day run smoother, as well as give you a chance to focus on something else that is equally as important. One way to simplify your tasks is custom kitting. Basically, if you’re receiving parts and products from different vendors you’re spending time sourcing, price checking, and selecting these products. After that, your team then must sort and organize all the different parts. Sounds like a lot of work. That’s because it is. Kitting basically cuts this process in half. Everything you need arrives in one convenient package from ONE supplier.

Reducing Lead Times

Why should you focus on your business' lead times? It's important to ask yourself this question, especially if your business is serious about getting things done. When it comes to your supply chain, reducing lead times is essential if you want real performance for your business. If you want to increase efficiency in your business and focus on long-term growth strategies keep reading below.

Lead Time Factors

Many things can hurt your company's lead times. For example, if you are outsourcing products from overseas, these often have an extended shipping time, this could play a significant factor in your supply chain's performance. This may seem like a good alternative, but it could be costing you more money in the long run. Are you factoring this time into your sales, production and other important metrics? Shipping delays can often turn into months instead of weeks, causing slowdowns in production and ultimately hurting your bottom line.

"Southco has recently expanded on its successful line of mechanical actuators with a new version that combines reliable actuation with modern design. Constructed of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials, the AC-11 Actuator features an ergonomic pull handle that is ideal for remotely actuating a latch in heavy duty equipment applications.

Are you a manufacturing company? If so, does your business depend on inventory to get by? If you answered yes to one or both questions you might be familiar with a two-bin system. A widely used inventory management system, a two-bin system basically deals with two bins to help you or your team keep track of inventory. It helps you determine when inventory is full, low, and needs replenishing. A two bin system often exists in production lines where multiple parts come together to create a new product.

If you’re considering vendor consolidation, you should consider that it is one of the easiest ways to control your supply chain. You are basically drastically reducing the number of vendors you deal with, therefore simplifying your business.

Let’s face it, there are a lot of things that need to get done, and only so many hours in the day to accomplish your tasks. When it comes to dealing with vendors, how do you manage this?