By Jeff Weigang
Choose Application
One of the first things that you need to determine is the application in which you plan on using the AR400 steel plate. The more you know about the project, the easier it will be to answer the questions that a supplier may have for you. You should know about the environment that the steel will be exposed to, how you plan to work with it, and much more. This will also make it easier to determine if AR400 is the best steel plate for you to use.
Determine Size
The size of the AR400 is entirely up to you. In most instances, the size options range from 3/16 of an inch all the way up to 4 inches. You need to look at what you need for your specific job as well as what a supplier keeps in inventory. If they do not have what you need in inventory, find out whether they are able to get it into stock for you.
Remember that if a supplier has to special order something for you, it could take longer. Be sure to identify the time it will take to receive the steel so you can ensure it fits within your deadlines.
Review Reputation
Every steel supplier has a reputation. You need to find out how competitive they are with pricing, how their customer services, and how good they are at keeping their promises. You can learn a lot by contacting the Better Business Bureau. You may also want to review online directories where reviews from past customers are published.
If you know of other companies that have dealt with a steel supplier, ask for their recommendations. This will ensure that you work with a good supplier for AR400 and any other steel needs.
Negotiate Pricing
It's important that pricing is competitive. Once you are quoted for the steel plate that you need, be sure to get quotes from several other suppliers. This will allow you to comparison shop. Further, you want to negotiate the pricing that you are quoted so that you get the lowest possible rate.
Some of the fodder that you can use for negotiating includes the quantity you are ordering, the frequency of your orders, as well as any other business that you can bring to the supplier.
Sign a Contract
Once you are confident you have found the right supplier, you should sign a contract with them. This will identify some of the different negotiations that you have made. Your contract should identify your negotiated pricing, the amount of time it will take for them to deliver upon ordering, as well as how they plan on dealing with special requests and customer orders.
A good supplier will be a long-lasting partnership, so it's best to spend a little bit of time making sure that you sign with a reputable one.
Ranger Steel has always strived to form personal relationships with customers in a wide variety of industries. The industries we serve are as follows: ship building, oil and gas, mining, light and heavy commercial and industrial construction; service centers; as well as fabricators for heavy plate, vessel and heat exchangers, storage tanks, bridges, electrical transmission, and railcars.