Page 37 - MetalForming June 2014

higher standard of safety and quality control.
• Many U.S. consumers prefer Amer- ican-made products.
Capturing New Leads
As reshoring and foreign investment gain momentum and companies expand their U.S. supplier network, metalformers must position them- selves to take advantage. Here are five steps to generate leads and position your company to land new business opportunities.
1) e-sourcing—Connecting with Buyers and Finding Qualified Leads
Finding qualified leads and show- casing your business capabilities are fundamental to growth and success. The expanding need for accurate U.S. sourcing is significant and e-sourcing is a key ingredient to empowering pur- chasing professionals and suppliers through connectivity.
By accessing the power of an e- sourcing system, manufacturers can gain exposure and find qualified leads, to create, expand and diversify the cus- tomer base.
Consider Adam Nowak, a start-up business owner and supplier who first tried e-sourcing because he had to “wear many hats.” He says:
“One of the challenges I face is tak- ing the time to market my business. E-sourcing (using Fabricating.com) enables potential new customers to see what my company has to offer, and it gives us an advantage over our com- petitors who have to employ full-time sales forces.”
Here’s how it works:
• Register online and create a com- pany profile visible to buyers.
• Include a description of capabili- ties, facility and work samples so that your business can be matched via a supplier discovery system to buyers looking for your qualifications.
• Gain access to live RFQ opportu- nities from qualified buyers looking for U.S. suppliers with your capabili- ties.
• Respond, communicate and col- laborate with buyers, access RFQ requirements and dimensional details, and manage the bidding process.
2) Build Solid Relationships
Customer relationships drive your business. A good customer will become an advocate for your compa- ny, and positive recommendations from satisfied customers can go a long
way to gaining more jobs and new customers, and building a good busi- ness reputation.
Follow these steps to stay engaged and forge strong customer relation- ships:
• Communication is key—periodi- cally touch base with customers and potential customers.
• Provide good customer service throughout your organization to create
COME
TOGETHER.
ROBERT DAVID
Operations Manager Kitagawa-NorthTech
YEARS ATTENDING IMTS
20
GOAL FOR IMTS 2014
I’m all about gathering information – on machines, products, processes, you name it. I believe the more info you can gather, the smarter you will be. There’s no better place to do that than IMTS. Coming from a company that’s focused on productivity, I have an appreciation for how much can be achieved in a week at IMTS.
LEAVE
INFORMED.
Where else can you meet the minds that are moving manufacturing forward? Nowhere but IMTS 2014. With a focus on success through cooperation, the week will be filled with technology, education, and ideas that we can all benefit from. Join us at McCormick Place Chicago, September 8–13, 2014. Learn more at IMTS.com.
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS AUGUST 8 • IMTS.COM
COME TOGETHER. LEAVE YOUR MARK.
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