Are you looking for a custom tube manufacturer but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Finding the right supplier for your business’s fluid transfer needs is a big decision that often takes careful planning and thought. This guide is designed to help you evaluate your business’s needs and make an informed choice.

6 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Custom Tube Manufacturer

The Company’s History

When selecting a custom tube manufacturer, it’s important to consider the history of the company first. Not every company has a longstanding history with custom tubing, even if they offer it now.

For example, a supplier that has been in business for five years and has only been specializing in custom tubing for the last 18 months will not be able to handle your project as well as a supplier founded in 1942 that has a long history of metal manufacturing, including custom tube manufacturing since the 1960’s. It’s important to have this information when weighing your options.

The following questions will help you get a better idea of the business’s overall expertise and stability.

How long have they been in business?
How long have they specialized in custom tubing?
Did they start out in the custom tubing business or another sector?
How often has the business switched hands?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you will have a much better idea of the business’s overall experience and can make a more informed decision.

Reviews

Investigating reviews from other customers can help you determine the perceived quality of a custom tube manufacturer. You will want to look for a supplier with lots of positive reviews testifying to its quality, speed, and customer service standards.

Remember, while one or two negative reviews may not be an indication of a bad supplier, several reviews saying the same things can be.

For example, suppose a company has an overall Google My Business ranking of 4.8 with thousands of reviews. However, they have one review claiming the tubing they delivered was half an inch wider than specified. That might not be a cause for concern, especially if the supplier has answered the review and is attempting to set things right.

Now, suppose a company has an overall Google My Business ranking of 2.3 with a dozen reviews saying their deliveries are always two weeks late. This is likely a cause for concern and an indication of the timeliness of the manufacturer.

You can also view the company’s Better Business Bureau profile, which will show you its overall ranking, as well as further reviews. It’s always wise to check more than one review site before making your final decision to be sure you have all the relevant information.

Capabilities

Evaluating the capabilities of a custom tube manufacturer is an essential step before selecting a partner. You will need to ensure that any potential supplier is capable of producing the tubing you need in terms of sizing, volume, materials, and levels of customization.

For example, suppose there are two custom tubing suppliers. Every month, Supplier A can only produce 300 four-foot-long and one-inch-diameter steel tubes. Supplier B, on the other hand, can create up to 10,000 tubes at a time using several different material types and any custom sizing you need each month.

Now, if you only need 200 four-foot-long and one-inch-diameter steel tubes per month, Supplier A could work well for your business. However, if you needed a highly customized order or more than one tube type per order, Supplier B would be a much better choice.

So, how do you determine if a supplier is going to be capable of meeting your needs?

Start by planning out the different types of custom tubing you need now and what you think you will need in the future. Critically think about what you need in terms of materials, sizing, and volume, and determine the minimum requirements to meet the needs of your business. That way, you can have this information available while evaluating potential partners.

Market Focus

You should also consider the market focus of your potential supplier. What industries are they experts in? Are they custom tubing specialists, or is that just a small part of their business? Knowing that information can be extremely helpful when selecting suppliers.

For example, some manufacturers might only get 5% of their business from custom tubing, or might only provide it on an as-needed basis. This would not be considered a specialized manufacturer for tubing, and would likely not be a good choice if you’re looking to produce a high volume of tubing with many specifications.

Looking deeper into a potential manufacturer’s market focus can help you determine if they truly understand your needs, especially regarding the scope of your project, volume, and customizations.

Pricing

Pricing is an important factor to consider when evaluating a custom tube manufacturer. You want to make sure you are getting the best deal possible for your investment, as even small pricing differences can add up quickly.

For example, suppose you need 7,000 hoses per month. Company One is only one state away, so their monthly shipping prices are 20 cents per hose. However, their manufacturing costs are higher, requiring you to pay $3.40 per hose.

Now, suppose Company Two is 400 miles farther away than Company One. Their shipping costs are 50 cents per hose. However, their manufacturing costs are lower, requiring you to pay $2.90 per hose. Over one month, Company One will charge you $25,200, and Company Two will charge you $23,800, not including tax.

While a $1,400 difference may not seem like much, especially when considering the added convenience of having Company One closer, over five years, that pricing difference will add up to $84,000.

Be sure to consider all pricing factors, including shipping, before choosing your supplier.

Competitor Analysis

Before making your final decision, consider completing a competitor analysis for your favored custom tube manufacturer. Start by selecting three or four other comparable companies to compare your top choice to, and gather all the relevant information on each one, including their histories, reputations, capabilities, market focuses, and pricing.

This will give you a much better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each supplier, which will make selecting a custom tube manufacturer significantly easier.

While finding the right custom tube manufacturer can feel daunting, it doesn’t have to be. With careful planning, you can find the ideal supplier that meets your needs and can help your business operations run smoothly. The sooner you get started, the better.

Still unsure of where to start? We can help.

As a top custom tube manufacturer, RB Royal Industries has specialized in quality fluid transfer services since the late 60’s. Our expertise is extensive enough to ensure we can help your business with custom tubing or any other fluid transfer needs you may have. To reach out, you can fill out the form here. We can’t wait to learn more about how we can serve you.

Finding a Custom Tube Manufacturer for Hardlines, Hoses, and Hybrid Solutions