More Than a Supplier: The Benefits of Partnering with a Local Fabricator over an Online Marketplace
When sourcing fabricated parts, many companies face an important decision: should they partner with a local fabricator or use an online marketplace?
Here at CAMM Metals, we have a unique vantage point - we spent a year contracting with an online marketplace. Essentially, this vendor leveraged our services to handle the work they were getting from their own customers. That experience gave us a deep understanding of how these platforms operate. And while we can see the appeal of their 24/7 quoting and ordering systems, our time behind the scenes only reinforced our confidence in the value of working with a dedicated partner.
The Convenience Factor of Online Marketplaces: Is It Enough?
Online marketplaces have risen in popularity for a good reason. Consider how Amazon transformed shopping for everyday goods - providing an easy-to-use platform that connects consumers with countless vendors. Manufacturing-focused marketplaces apply a similar model, offering streamlined quoting systems and access to a broad network of shops across the world. For many buyers, the ability to request quotes and place orders anytime, from anywhere, is a major advantage.
However, ordering custom fabricated components isn’t like buying socks or coffee pods. These are often mission-critical components where precision, reliability, and communication are key to success. In many cases, the stakes are just too high to rely on convenience alone.
The CAMM Metals Advantage: Why Sourcing Locally Matters
Ultimately, our team decided to stop working with an online marketplace for one main reason: we believe strong, lasting relationships lead to greater customer success. However, the transactional and impersonal nature of our role as a disconnected vendor prevented us from building these partnerships.
While CAMM Metals may not be able to quote a part instantly the way many of these online marketplaces can—though we’re still pretty darn fast—we offer benefits that only come from working directly with a fabrication shop.
Direct Communication to Solve Problems Faster
If an issue arises while working with an online marketplace, customers must file a complaint with the marketplace, which then relays the problem to the fabricator. This extra layer of communication can lead to delays or misinterpretations as critical information gets lost in translation.
On the other hand, a local fabricator can identify and address problems immediately, without going through a middleman. This direct relationship allows for collaborative problem-solving and real-time adjustments.
Transparency You Can Trust
When you partner with CAMM Metals, you simply need to give us a quick call or send an email to get your questions or concerns answered. In addition, our doors are always open to customers who would like to see our processes firsthand and meet our team in person.
Expert Guidance That Saves Money
While many online marketplaces focus solely on making parts to print, our approach goes further. At CAMM Metals, we carefully review your files for manufacturability, making sure that any potential issues are addressed before production begins. In addition, our experienced engineers and estimators are available to collaborate with you to optimize your designs for manufacturability. We can often help reduce both production time and overall costs, adding value beyond just making the part.
Consistency You Can Count On
One major challenge with online marketplaces is that each order may be outsourced to a different vendor, possibly leading to production inconsistencies. On the other hand, repeatedly sourcing parts from CAMM Metals ensures consistency, whether it’s the second time you’re ordering from us or the two-hundredth time.
One Surprising Advantage: Faster Lead Times
Many companies believe that online marketplaces handle projects more expeditiously than contract manufacturing shops. However, they may be surprised to learn that a local fabricator can achieve the same—if not better—lead times when timelines are communicated upfront, as cutting out the figurative middleman can make production smoother and more agile.
Work with a Partner, Not Just a Supplier
With a local fabricator like CAMM Metals, you gain a trusted partner invested in your long-term success. Our goal is to produce the best possible parts efficiently and cost-effectively while maintaining top-tier quality and service. Whether you require waterjet cutting services, welding services, or other offerings from our range of services, we’re here to provide solutions tailored to your needs.
Request a quote to get started on your next project. Or give us a call— you might be surprised at what we can do for you!