A partnership with the right chemical supplier positions a manufacturer to save time, money, and headaches. Bad chemical supply companies do the opposite. A sub-par supplier might neglect safety protocols, mishandle shipping logistics, and struggle with product storage. So how does a manufacturer sort the good from the bad? They can begin by looking out for the following five warning signs of a bad chemical supplier.

Sign #1: Waiting Weeks to Receive Shipments from Chemical Wholesale Companies

A desirable chemical wholesaler has inventory in stock and fulfills orders promptly and efficiently. Other chemical suppliers might have trouble keeping products in stock for several reasons. Manufacturers who order from them might have to wait weeks for their supplier’s shipment to arrive from overseas.

To contrast, Bellrock can often deliver chemicals to customers within a few days of their order. We are able to do this because we are small and agile. We don’t have the layers of management of other chemical suppliers and thus are able to act quickly on orders. Plus, our combination of just-in-time deliveries and direct shipments gives us more ways to address issues with lead times, pricing, and maritime shipping delays.

#2: The Chemical Supplier Doesn’t Offer Flexible Shipping & Storage

The carrying costs of chemicals can siphon the profits of manufacturers. Many chemicals need storage spaces with specialized equipment. For example, to store citric acid, a manufacturer needs warehouse space, tanks, and a mechanical system to moderate humidity and ventilation.

In addition to creating the space to store chemicals, a manufacturer who begins storing chemicals usually gets hit with a hike in its insurance premiums.

Bellrock Chemical lightens the load for our customers by storing some chemicals for them. We often store a complete container of a chemical then ship smaller quantities to the manufacturer as they need them. Our global network of warehouse locations give us the ability to develop supply chain programs for individual customer’s needs.

Sign #3: The Chemical Wholesaler Lacks Flexibility

A chemical supplier with limited resources will not offer its customers the flexibility to spread payments out. Bellrock Chemical customers pay for the chemicals as they receive them. Those choosing to store part of their shipment in one of our warehouses pay as they pull from their stock. The customer’s promise to pay for the full quantity of their order over a certain period of time.

Sign #4: The Chemical Supplier Breaks Federal Safety Rules

Manufacturers expect chemicals from a wholesaler to pass federal standards, but not all of them do. In addition to wholesalers breaking rules themselves, some import chemicals from overseas suppliers who do not follow the rules.

Responsible suppliers of chemicals used in food, including Bellrock Chemical, make sure chemical companies follow the guidance in the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FDA FSMA). If the chemical comes from a foreign supplier, the wholesaler must check its compliance with the FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).

When a chemical supplier does not ensure the safety of its products, they put consumers in danger. The FDA gives the public access to a list of companies that have received warning letters regarding their safety practices. Check the FDA Compliance and Actions page to see if a supplier you are considering has received a warning letter.

At Bellrock Chemical, we monitor our overseas suppliers’ adherence to FDA FSMA standards using third party audits. The audits save our partners a step in managing food safety because we can verify the If we find out one of our suppliers is not following FDA FSVP guidelines, we contact them right away and start an investigation. When necessary, we immediately stop using the overseas supplier.

Sign #5: The Chemical Supply Company Has Poor Customer Care

Our partners like to blow off steam by telling us about their experiences with other chemical supply companies. They have a lot of complaints about customer care:

• Ordering is too complicated.
• Orders aren’t processed quickly.
• There are frequent delays in deliveries.
• our account manager is hard to reach, especially when you need to change an order ormake a special order.
• If there is a problem with shipping or delivery, the company makes excuses and doesn’tsay how they plan to resolve the issue.

The company isn’t transparent about their deadlines, shipments, and fee structure.

No company is perfect, of course. But when a supplier is not making customer care a priority, it really shows.

The Bellrock Chemical Solution

If you are experiencing any of these sources of frustration, and wonder whether you could do better, the answer is yes. Bellrock Chemical exceeds expectations for several reasons including:

• A deep familiarity with chemicals and chemical applications.
• Our global network of warehouse locations.
• A combination of just-in-time deliveries and direct shipments allows us to address lead times, pricing, maritime shipping delays, long-term contracts and sudden increases in customer production.
• The ability for customers to choose between factory-direct FTL shipments and LTL shipments from local warehouses.

We are committed to the utmost quality, reliability, integrity and service to manufacturers of all sizes. Contact us to discuss a partnership to solve your global supply-chain challenges. Message us or call 516-246-5006.