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    Interview with Connor Arney, Austin Hardware National Sales Manager for Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Aug 8, 2023 11:00:00 AM

    Q & A with Connor Arney, Austin Hardware and Supply National Sales Manager for VMI 

    AH: Can you explain vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and how it works
    •  

    CA: Vendor-managed inventory is an arrangement between the customer and supplier in which the vendor takes responsibility for managing and replenishing stock levels of agreed-upon parts and products at the customer's customer's location.

    • AH: What are the benefits of implementing a VMI system for businesses and suppliers? 

     

    CA: "Benefits of VMI include; Reduced stockouts, improved inventory accuracy, lower inventory carrying costs, and better supply chain visibility. 

    It can lead to stronger collaboration between vendors and customers, streamlined operations , and enhanced customer satisfaction." 


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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, Austin Hardware® News, Warehouse Management, inventory management

    Learn More About the Differences Between VMI and CMI.

    Posted by Rob Dell'Elmo on Apr 20, 2023 9:45:00 AM

    The Differences Between VMI and CMI

    Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Customer Managed Inventory (CMI) are inventory management programs that differ in responsibility for managing inventory. 

    In a VMI program, the vendor (supplier) is responsible for managing the customer's inventory levels. The vendor collects customer usage data from sales forecasts, inventory levels, or other key metrics to determine when and how much product to deliver. In a VMI program, the vendor takes on the responsibility, and subsequent risk, of maintaining appropriate stock levels to balance inventory with costs for optimal cash flow. The customer benefits from a more streamlined supply chain and reduced inventory holding costs while having to invest less time and personnel resources into inventory management.  

    Specific benefits of a VMI program include but are not limited to the following: 

    • - A completely hands-off approach to inventory management 
    • - Vending technology can be used to track usage and reduce cost 
    • - An overall reduction of in-house inventory means less cash is tied up in inventory 
    • - Vendor consolidation means a reduction in transactions and invoices 
    • - Point-of-use inventory and in-house tool crib management streamline your production processes, saving additional time and money. 
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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, inventory management

    Finding the Right Solutions for Your Supply Chain with the Austin Hardware® Guarantee.

    Posted by Allison Burns on Dec 10, 2021 9:30:00 AM

    Finding the Right Solutions for Your Supply Chain with Austin Hardware®

    The job of securing your business data and ensuring your supply chain runs smoothly is critical. In light of recent world events, that job also has never been more challenging. 

    As a source of solutions for your business, we can't be too thorough or too careful, which is why everything we do at Austin Hardware®, from the training of our employees to the safeguards on our e-commerce website, are designed to achieve those goals.

    We utilize state-of-the-art inventory management software to provide accurate, current inventory levels, ensuring you have safety stock to avoid crucial line-down situations.  

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, inventory management

    Your Complete Guide to Fastener Nuts, A New Austin Hardware® Two-Part Blog Series.

    Posted by Rob Dell'Elmo on Aug 16, 2021 10:41:00 AM

    Fastener Series – Blog Post 19A (Fastening Nuts)

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, fasteners, Blog

    The Top 10 Ways that Austin Hardware® Can Help Your Business Find Supply Chain Solutions.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on May 3, 2021 11:00:00 AM


    At Austin, we seek to provide the best solutions for our customers by delivering value-added solutions for various aspects of your business. We are more than just a hardware company. We are a solutions provider.

    If you are ready to find the best solutions for your business, read our top 10 ways to help your business run smoothly.

    HubSpot Video
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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, inventory management, Blog

    Using Data to Build Your Business 

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Mar 2, 2021 9:15:00 AM

    Using Data to Build Your Business

     

    Using data to measure your business's success helps you see a clear picture of where your business stands. Numbers don't lie -- you can tell how your business is doing and set goals based on past and present metrics. These Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) help your business stay on track to goals, quotas and let you know where you stand. Austin Hardware® covers this more in-depth here.

    Aren't you ready to stop focusing on the small things like purchase orders, supply chain headaches, too many vendors, etc.? It's time to start focusing on what really matters – what new product improvements are needed to drive sales, how vendors can align with you to exceed your corporate or department goals, what manufacturing processes need revisiting. It's time to start building business relationships, setting long-term goals, growing your business, and preparing for future growth.

    Austin Hardware's team of experts can help take your business to the next level. If staying on track for your future goals is your concern, keep reading to see how Austin Hardware's use of data analytics and solutions can help your business stay on track this year.

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, Warehouse Management, inventory management, Blog

    Austin Hardware's Solutions for the Future of Your Business.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Oct 29, 2020 10:30:00 AM

    One of the best parts of partnering with Austin Hardware® is that we are a complete one-stop shop. With Austin Hardware®, you get it all, a convenient solution for both our new and our existing customers. We not only have the parts in stock; our engineering team can work with you to custom design parts for your specific applications. We can also reduce the links in your supply chain with our expert sourcing capabilities, and vendor-managed inventory capabilities. It may sound too good to be true, but for the last 60 years, we’ve learned a thing or two about businesses just like yours. 

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory

    The Austin Hardware® Fastener Blog Series: Learn More About Using Nails

    Posted by Rob Dell'Elmo on Jun 23, 2020 11:30:00 AM

    If you’re in the construction or woodworking business, you’re using nails every day. Homeowners often find themselves looking for just the right nail for their DIY projects. Even the core customers of Austin Hardware®, which are in the transportation and metal fabrication businesses, industries in which nails are not a predominant fastener, find the occasional need for nails for different projects such as constructing shipping containers for their products. 

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, inventory management, fasteners

    Inventory Management Reporting and KPI's

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Jun 11, 2019 10:09:33 AM

     

     

     The Importance of KPIs

    The use of impartial, dispassionate data to measure business success is critical. It reassures you when you’re doing something correctly, and helps you make adjustments to your plan when needed. These metrics, often referred to as Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) apply to every business and every department, whether evaluating sales, marketing, operations, or purchasing.

    In the area of inventory management, dozens of KPI's can be measured depending on the nature of your business. As a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) provider, the metrics we value offer insight into both your inventory as well as our performance. We believe measuring the program, and the act of sharing with you this critical data is just as important as keeping stock on your shelves.

    HubSpot Video
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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory, Warehouse Management, inventory management

    How Does Custom Kitting Work?

    Posted by Austin Hardware on May 17, 2019 3:43:00 PM

    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.

    HubSpot Video

     

    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.

     

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    Topics: Vendor Managed Inventory