How to Locate a Business Supplier
The backbone of many companies relies on business suppliers, the manufacturers and distributors of products, materials and goods which are used by a company to make a profit. Locating the best business suppliers for your company often means comparing prices, quality of goods and speed of service among multiple suppliers before settling on one with which you're comfortable. Fortunately, many professional organizations and resources exist to help companies connect with the suppliers and manufacturers they need.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Read trade magazines. Trade magazines contain current news and information about the industry you want to pursue. Some trade magazines and publications have vendor "spotlight" sections that feature vendors and suppliers within a market niche. Find names and some on line versions of trade magazines at such places as Entrepreneur Magazine, WebWire.com and NetLine Corporation's TradePub.com. Go to your local library and ask if it carries hard copy or electronic subscriptions to the trade publications you'd like to read.
-
2
Attend trade shows. Contact nearby convention centers and inquire about the schedule for upcoming trade shows and expositions. Look on professional trade association websites to see if the association hosts any trade shows and, if it does, the dates and times of the events. For example, the National Retail Federation hosts an annual trade expo that showcases retailers of all sizes and types. Bring a notebook to the trade show. Write down contact information for suppliers you potentially want to do business with and obtain business cards from supplier representatives.
-
-
3
Join business associations and attend meetings to network with other business professionals. Find a local chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Administration. Contact the organization to find out when business meetings are held and when any special events are scheduled. Attend the events. Speak with other business owners about finding suppliers for your specific industry or niche.
-
4
Find business suppliers in on line directories. Go to online business-to-business directories like ThomasNet, MacRAE's Blue Book or Kellysearch.com. Type in the name or type of product for the supplier you want to find and click the "search" or "find it" button. Or filter suppliers by industry type. Write down or copy and paste the contact information for suppliers and manufacturers. Call or email the supplier to inquire about wholesale costs and retail orders.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) contains a large on line calendar directory of retail trade shows for around 100 retail industries.
References
Resources
More Like This
Comments
-
Try to sample what suppliers have to offer before you commit. Then you can be sure you've found a trustworthy company.
