How to Choose a Reputable Chemical Supplier

The manufacture of more than 96% of consumer goods relies on the chemical industry. In addition, businesses outside of manufacturing require chemicals for disinfecting and a host of other uses.

Simply put, the success of most businesses requires partnerships with reliable chemical suppliers.

So how do you choose the best chemical supplier? Find out in this helpful guide.

How to Choose a Reliable Chemical Supplier

Geographical limitations prevent most businesses from working with a local chemical supplier. This means that if your business requires wholesale chemicals or chemical supplies, you’ll most likely be shopping online.

Unfortunately, not all online suppliers are created equal. Assess the following criteria before choosing one.

Company Size

When choosing a chemical retailer, size matters—in terms of your own business and the chemical supplier. Logistically and financially, it’s best to work with a supplier that has the capacity to meet all of your chemical needs.

You should begin the process, therefore, by evaluating those needs. What chemicals do you require? How much do you need? How often?

With these basic metrics in mind, investigate suppliers. Identify those capable of supplying all of the types of chemicals you require. It’s also wise to opt for a supplier whose capacity not only meets but exceeds the amount of chemicals you currently require. Doing so means that you’ll be able to increase your orders as your business expands.

Experience

Another criterion for choosing a chemical retailer is experience. Of course, general experience in the chemical industry is a valuable indicator of a supplier’s quality and expertise.

It’s even better, though, if you can find a company with direct experience supplying chemicals in your industry. A specialty chemical retailer will be most experienced with the types of chemicals you need. They’ll be able to answer your questions and help you choose the best products. Finally, they’ll be more likely to remain up-to-date on advances that impact your industry.

Maybe, for example, your business provides car detailing services. The right retailer can help you learn more about Polyethylene Glycol 400 or other products used to care for leather, vinyl, and glass.

Cost

The prices for most chemicals are relatively consistent across suppliers. The most significant factor impacting the price of chemical supplies, though, tends to be shipping. That’s because shipping chemicals safely is a costly proposition.

Be sure, therefore, to figure shipping costs into your overall chemicals budget. These costs tend to depend on the size of your order, the type of chemicals, and the distance.

With these factors in mind, it’s often best to choose the closest supplier that’s able to meet all of your needs.

Sustainability

Finally, many businesses—and their clients—seek to reduce their environmental footprint. Choosing a chemical supplier is an important and relatively easy way to pursue these efforts.

Many chemical suppliers have taken steps toward sustainability. These include replacing fossil fuels with hydrocarbons and identifying alternatives to more toxic chemicals.

Working with these suppliers demonstrates your business’s commitment to the environment. Supporting these retailers also helps to fund research into environmentally healthier alternatives. And because green suppliers are rarely more expensive, your business can enjoy these benefits without investing anything more than the time required to locate them.

High-Quality Chemicals for High-Quality Businesses

Your business is only as good as the suppliers on whom you rely. Nowhere is this more true than when choosing a chemical supplier.

In this and all of your business decisions, rely on our blog for the best advice.