Overview 

When an inventory shortage nearly brought a small industrial manufacturer's production to a halt, Grainger provided a creative parts-sourcing solution to help keep its business running and stave off potential losses of more than $10,000.

About the Customer

Based out of Wright City, Missouri, Mittler Brothers specializes in industrial manufacturing and machine design. They also produce a proprietary product line of bead rollers, which are a critical part of their operations.

The Challenge

Mittler Brothers faced a significant supply chain challenge during the pandemic. With a lead time of six to nine months for the motors used in the bead rollers, they were on the brink of losing valuable inventory. Shannon Heinrich, a representative from Mittler Brothers, shared their experience, highlighting Grainger's crucial role during this trying time.

"Before COVID, we only kept a few motors in stock as we usually ship out 5-10 bead rollers per week," Heinrich said. "When the pandemic hit, the lead time for motors became incredibly long, making it hard for us to keep up with the demand."

With a lack of critical components for their bead rollers, Mittler Brothers had to inform customers about potential delays. Although Grainger offered to source alternative motors to help with the backlog of orders, Mittler Brothers had been using the same motor for almost a decade and was hesitant to switch due to potential complications.

Solution

Fortunately, their Grainger sales representative stepped in and made a remarkable difference. "Our Grainger rep worked hard to secure special bulk pricing for up to 500 motors," Heinrich said. "This allowed us to stock up for a whole year, saving us from losing more than $10,000 worth of inventory. Without Grainger's help, it would have been a major setback for us."

From finding motors and critical parts in a pinch to our vast supplier network, explore more ways Grainger can help.

In addition to this vital support, Grainger's KeepStock^® inventory management played a pivotal role in Mittler Brothers' operations. While not a primary solution for the critical inventory shortage, Heinrich noted how the consistent supply of essential items from their KeepStock machine helped the company save significantly over the years. By simplifying the tracking and management of safety gear, Grainger's solutions have not only saved time but also contributed to the overall improvement of Mittler Brothers' business operations.

Results

With Grainger’s assistance, Mittler Brothers was able to successfully navigate the inventory shortage crisis. By securing a year’s worth of motor and drive components, Mittler Brothers avoided potential losses exceeding $10,000. Additionally, KeepStock vendor-managed inventory solutions helped to further streamline Mittler Brothers’ operations.

Conclusion

Grainger’s swift response and collaborative approach, combined with its vast network of suppliers, helped Mittler Brothers recover from a substantial setback during a critical time. This strategic supplier management demonstrated how the right support is essential for transforming supply chain challenges into greater business opportunities.