Personalized Vendor-Managed Inventory Services
Vendor-managed inventory (VMI), otherwise known as bin checking, is a service in which a supplier takes full responsibility for managing a buyer’s inventory at that buyer’s location. Having a supplier like EPCO take the lead in managing inventory frees you from the headache of tracking hundreds or thousands of part numbers on your own.
VMI programs free you to focus on your work without the constant drain of inventory management.
- Reduced Inventory Costs
- Enhanced Efficiency
- Shortened Procurement Time
- Less Frustration
- Increased Focus on Core Activities
How EPCO Personalizes VMI for Your Industrial Supplies
We work closely with our buyers to understand each customer’s unique needs, including unique timeframe and budget requirements. We monitor your inventory levels, ensuring your products are replenished quickly and efficiently.
Our VMI services help our customers spend less time managing inventory levels and more time focusing on their business operations.
Why Choose EPCO as Your VMI Partner?
As a customer-focused industrial distributor, EPCO strives to build trusting relationships with all our customers. Our VMI services allow us to foster closer collaboration and communication with buyers, strengthening relationships and long-term partnerships.
Our customers know they can trust us to proactively maintain their inventories with integrity and attention to detail. Benefits of our vendor-managed inventory services include:
What Makes a Great VMI Program?
Effectively-managed inventory systems share these components:
Collaborative Partnership: A successful VMI system relies on strong communication and information sharing between vendor and customer. Both parties should have clear expectations and shared goals.
Robust Data Sharing: The system should facilitate frequent and abundant data exchange, including sales, inventory levels, and market trends. Data sharing enables vendors to make informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in demand.
Clear Metrics: Successful VMI implementations establish well-defined storage capacities, acceptable inventory levels, and performance metrics to measure success.
Flexibility and Responsiveness: A great VMI system adapts to changes in demand, seasonality, and product lifecycles, allowing for quick inventory adjustment and reordering patterns.
VMI Fastener Services for Factories, Shops, Resellers & More
We provide customized VMI services for customers in a broad range of industries. Our customers include commercial factories, repair shops, resellers, and more. From specialized fasteners made from premium materials to industrial supplies like tools and electrical components, EPCO distributes high-quality resources for customers in all industrial contexts. Our VMI services provide fasteners and products for nearly every application, including:
- Automotive Repair
- Agriculture
- Carpentry
- Construction
- Electrical
- Irrigation
- Marine
- Metalworking
- OEM Manufacturing
- Plumbing
- Woodworking
- Transportation
- And much more
Vendor Managed Inventory Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)?
VMI is a supply chain management strategy where the supplier assumes responsibility for monitoring and replenishing inventory at the customer’s location. The vendor analyzes sales data, monitors stock levels, and forecasts demand to determine when and how much product to deliver.
What are the benefits of implementing VMI?
VMI implementation can lead to improved inventory turnover, reduced stockouts, lower carrying costs, enhanced collaboration between suppliers and customers, and streamlined supply chain processes. It also allows suppliers to gain better visibility into demand and optimize production while customers enjoy reduced inventory management responsibilities.
How often does EPCO check inventory?
We customize our VMI programs to meet your unique needs. Our sales reps continually analyze consumption patterns and adjust inventory levels as needed.
Do you offer onsite vendor-managed inventory services?
Our VMI programs are designed to be used onsite at your location or across multiple locations. Your sales rep will make inventory decisions on-site and utilize technology to ensure product availability while focusing on continuous system improvement.
What type of parts work well with a VMI system?
VMI works best for medium to high-volume parts that require significant ordering, order management, and procurement time, parts with frequent shortages, and parts that need little incoming inspection. Parts used only sporadically or parts with quality control issues are not ideal for VMI.
Vendor Chain Management Services for Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan
Located in Middlebury, Indiana, EPCO has provided custom order fulfillment services for customers in Indiana and surrounding areas of Southern Michigan and Illinois since 1978. From the beginning, EPCO has remained committed to providing customers with the best services for their industrial needs. Our VMI services are designed with our customers in mind and optimized to keep your inventory stocked with essential products.
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Not Sure Whether VMI Services Are Best for You?
Want to learn how EPCO can provide Vendor Managed Inventory services for your industrial supplies? Schedule a free consultation with our service care specialists.
