Consolidating Trade Vehicle Parts: Why it Works for Fleet & Workshop Buyers

Some commercial vehicle workshops are buying parts from up to 12 different suppliers. This can mean using different suppliers for cameras, cables and other trade vehicle parts needed to equip a fleet. While it works for some workshops, there are potential dangers to spreading your purchasing. 12 suppliers means juggling 12 different supplier relationships. And when parts go missing on install day, it can mean chasing 12 suppliers to find them.

Moving to a single supplier can cut admin and delivery costs, but only if that supplier can cover what you actually buy. Here's what to check before you consolidate.

The Hidden Cost of Sourcing Automotive Electrical Supplies From Multiple Partners

Every trade account carries overheads that don’t show up on a price list:

• Separate payment terms to manage
• Multiple invoices and purchase orders
• Delivery charges and minimum order values
• Split deliveries arriving on different days
• Time chasing orders while a vehicle waits to go out

Small jobs can add hours of admin to your weekly work schedule and put your deadlines at risk. And when a converted vehicle can't be handed over because one component is late, it's your reputation with your customer that takes the hit.

Supply Chain Risk: Why Buyers Spread Orders Across Suppliers

There are some good reasons to split orders across different vendors:

Stock availability: If your supplier runs out, the job stops. Having a second or third choice merchant can be a valuable insurance plan for completing jobs under difficult circumstances.

Limited range: Many suppliers specialise. Buying ‘specialised’ equipment, such as cameras, wiring, lighting and digital storage, can mean going to several merchants.

Quality and price options: The spec changes with every job. If you’re handling a large fleet conversion for a global conglomerate, that may call for premium parts. A budget install may not. Some single suppliers don’t cater to every job.

These are real concerns. If you’re thinking about moving all of your purchasing to one business, you need to make sure that business addresses them.

What to Look For in a Single Automotive Electrical Parts Supplier

Moving your accounts to a single supplier is a big decision. Here are the questions you need to ask before making it:

Range across categories: From auto-electrical components and conversion parts to telematics and consumables, can they supply everything you need?

Consistent stock: Do they hold stock, or order in after you’ve enquired? Ask about availability on the lines you order most to avoid waiting around for parts.

Quality options: Can they offer different specs to match the scope and budget of your various contracts?

Dependable delivery: Is there an order cut-off? Is next-day delivery a standard or an extra?

Technical support: If you have a question about 12V and 24V systems, or a compliance query, will your supplier be able to answer it?

Documentation: Can they provide technical data sheets and certificates if your customer asks for them later?

How Daltec Measures Up

Consolidating should lower your total cost: fewer delivery charges and better pricing on volume. But it should also reduce purchasing complexity: fewer contacts, less admin, less waiting. That’s what Daltec does. Everything needed for vehicle conversions across seven categories, supplied through one trade account.

93% of our stock is manufactured directly for Daltec. With no middlemen, we control pricing and availability, and we can also hold stock in bulk. At any given time, our warehouses have over 3000 products in stock. With Daltec, you’re never waiting on your supplier’s supplier.

We also understand that converting fleets is a time-critical operation. If you place an order with us by 4:30 pm, your items will be delivered the next working day. If you have questions about your order, a product or installation, our in-house technical team handles it directly.

The Daltec range

Supplier Consolidation Without the Risk: How to Move to Daltec

You don’t need to switch everything at once. Here’s how moving your purchasing to Daltec works.

1. List products. Start with your last three months of orders from each supplier you work with; this will tell you what your most important lines currently are.
2. Send us your order list. We'll quote like-for-like across our seven categories, so you can compare your total cost, including delivery.
3. Trial a few lines. Open a trade account with us, pick one or multiple categories, and see how our stock and next-working-day delivery perform.
4. Move across in phases. Once one category works for you, move to the next. Keep your existing accounts open until you're satisfied you can trust Daltec. 

One supplier, one invoice, every category covered. Moving your account to Daltec means less time spent on multiple supplier relationships and less spend on separate deliveries. Open a trade account with us to simplify your vehicle conversion purchasing and get your vehicles out on the roads, on time.

If you want to move quicker, send us your order list here, and we’ll show you what consolidating could save.