Changing Up Your Wastewater Pump Product Line

The Check List for Reviewing Your Pump Manufacturing Partnerships

Brand is what people expect when they think of you, your company, and your company’s products and services.  You work hard to develop it, and to raise expectations of excellence for your customers.  You rely on your pump manufacturing partnerships to deliver.  If they let you down, then your brand suffers. 

Change happens, though, doesn’t it?  You’ve certainly taken steps to improve your service, customer attention efforts, and cost containment so that your brand remains excellent with your customers.  What changes have your pump manufacturing relationships made towards the same end?  Do they still value the same things you do, for the same reasons, and are making the appropriate improvements to satisfy your specific needs?

Maybe.  And maybe not.  Because things change everywhere, not just at your distributorship.

Whether your current offerings come from industry leaders like Barnes, Flygt, Goulds, Keen, E-One, Myers Pumps, Liberty Pumps, ABS, or others, it’s essential to periodically evaluate whether your supplier relationships are meeting your customers' evolving needs.  Maybe you need to make a change or add a partner. 

Before you make any changes, here are key factors to weigh when thinking about adjusting your product line or manufacturer partnerships

Product Performance and Reliability

Your customers expect high-quality, reliable products that meet or exceed their expectations. Industry standards change, governmental regulations change, and innovation is happening that will force you to up your game with product performance that meets the demand.

If your current supplier isn’t keeping up, you may need to consider a “Retrofit” program, such as ours at  Keen Pump.  RetroFit solutions make replacing existing systems easy and cost-effective, providing a seamless experience for customers who need to upgrade.  That’s one way to keep your brand top-notch and keep your current customers happy. 

Compatibility and Customization

If your customers are used to a particular brand or system, switching to a new manufacturer can cause concerns about compatibility. If your current supplier isn’t keeping up, you may need to consider a “Retrofit” program, such as ours at  Keen Pump.  RetroFit solutions make replacing existing systems easy and cost-effective, providing a seamless experience for customers who need to upgrade.  That’s one way to keep your brand top-notch and keep your current customers happy.

Customer Service and Support

Sometimes, a manufacturer can change their focus.  That may or may not include improving communications with you or letting them fall in favor of more desirable distributor relationships.  It’s ok when things change, but you don’t have to take a back seat when they do.  You deserve to be treated as an MVP customer. Don’t settle for less.

Pricing and Margins

Competitive pricing is always a consideration. Whether you're looking to add to or replace a product line, understanding the price point and profit margins associated with the new manufacturer is key. One way to do this is to work with local, family-owned pump manufacturers who manufacture their pump products here in the United States.  Shipping costs less and timeliness improves when you keep it between the seas. Local manufacturers are also able to negotiate more fair pricing based on their ability to adapt as needed to economic market concerns.

Distribution and Logistics

Adding a new supplier means ensuring that their distribution network can meet your needs. Ensuring your new partner has a dependable supply chain is essential to maintaining customer satisfaction.  At Keen, we keep products in stock to satisfy “on-demand” needs and can ramp up manufacturing for custom products quickly.  Again, that is a benefit of being family-owned.  We can make decisions that solve problems for you and your customers. 

Local, Family-Owned, and American Manufacturing

Keen Pump is a local, family-owned company. For distributors who value supporting local businesses and American manufacturing companies, partnering with Keen Pump offers an opportunity to work with a manufacturer that shares these principles.

Deciding to add or replace a pump manufacturer in your product line is a strategic choice that requires careful consideration. A review of current relationships, product lines, future expectations, and client satisfaction is the first step and should be done often.  Then, and only then, can you ensure you are taking the right steps toward doing the right thing for your customers, your business, and your brand. 

Keen Pump offers a range of benefits that can enhance your offerings, including superior customization, reliable performance, and exceptional support. As you evaluate your current manufacturer relationships, keep in mind the importance of aligning with a company that shares your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.