In the fast-paced world of aerospace procurement, finding the right part at the right time is critical. Many professionals turn to well-established marketplaces like PartsBase or ILS to source necessary components. These platforms offer a vast array of parts, and the process often seems straightforward: find the part, submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ), and await the offer. However, there’s a recurring frustration that many buyers encounter, receiving a quotation only to discover that the lead time is far from acceptable.
Why does this happen, and what can buyers do to avoid it?
When you search for a part on these marketplaces, you expect that the listings are reflective of actual stock. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some organizations, eager to cast a wide net, list parts they don't actually have in stock. They might boast entire catalogs of manufacturer lists, giving the impression that they have an extensive inventory. The reality, however, is that they don’t have the parts on hand.
What these organizations are doing is essentially fishing for leads. When you submit an RFQ, they scramble to source the part themselves, often from a third party. This practice can result in unacceptable lead times; by the time they find the part, negotiate a price, and get it ready to ship, days or even weeks might have passed. For a buyer in need of immediate fulfillment, this delay can be a significant setback.
When a buyer receives a quotation with a lead time that doesn't meet their needs, the trust in that supplier erodes. Trust is the cornerstone of any business relationship, and in aerospace, where reliability is paramount, losing a buyer’s trust can be catastrophic. Buyers who feel misled by false stock claims will quickly look elsewhere, often seeking out competitors who can provide more transparent and reliable service.
Over time, these disingenuous practices can harm not just the individual buyer-supplier relationship but also the overall reputation of the marketplace. Buyers become wary, spending more time verifying stock claims and less time moving forward with their projects. This skepticism can bog down the procurement process, adding unnecessary friction to an industry that thrives on efficiency.
At Horix Aerospace, we understand the critical importance of trust and reliability in the procurement process. Our commitment to transparency is reflected in our approach to inventory management. When we say a part is in stock, it means exactly that: the part is on our shelves and ready to ship.
How do we ensure this? Our robust ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) management system is key. Every night, the system automatically updates our inventory, removing sold parts and reflecting real-time stock levels. This means that when you see a part listed as available on our platforms, you can be confident that it’s ready for immediate dispatch. No excuses, no delays, just the parts you need, when you need them.
In a market where time is often as valuable as the parts themselves, reliability and trust are non-negotiable. Buyers should be cautious of suppliers who over-promise and under-deliver, especially when it comes to stock availability. By partnering with organizations like Horix Aerospace, who prioritize transparency and have the systems in place to back up their claims, buyers can avoid unnecessary delays and keep their projects on track.
Next time you’re sourcing a part, ask yourself: is this supplier offering stock material, or are they just looking for leads? The answer could save you both time and frustration.
About Horix Aerospace
Horix Aerospace is an horizontally integrated aerospace company, strongly focused in Spare Parts Management solutions for the Business Aircraft Market. Horix has developed both the Trust Consignment Program and the Trust Dismantling Program to offer clients a unique opportunity becoming the Swiss Trusted Solution for Aerospace Components Management. With over USD 30M in assets under management, Horix Aerospace has become a disruptive force in the Aerospace Industry with both its Trust Dismantling Program and unique Business Model.
Strongly capitalized and managed by a team of industry veterans, Horix Aerospace is proud to be a Swiss owned and operated company.
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