August 2021 Volume 3

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

Market &End-Use Information • What is the market and industry that this part is for? This type of data helps companies to track markets, which can be important for data tracking on industries that are cyclical. This is also information that helps industry associations, like the Forging Industry Association, to track markets and industries for better forecasting help for their member companies. • What is the end-use application? This helps the forging supplier assess any risks that need to be considered, as well as any requirements that may have to be considered regarding materials, etc. Part Information • Is there a certain part number or identification number that should be used for this quotation? • Do you have any finished part machine drawings? When these are provided, your forging supplier may be able to suggest alternate (and potentially less costly) forging design options if they understand what the finished part looks like. • Do you have a solid model available? If so, ask your forging supplier what file format they can use (Ex: IGES, STEP, etc.) Providing a solid model file will help your forging supplier quote with accuracy and will therefore reduce the time it takes to provide you with a quotation. Shipment &Packaging Information • Are there any special specifications that are associated with additional operations that may be required? Ex: Painting, plating, rust-coating, special packaging requirements, etc. If so, please include a copy of this information up front with the RFQ. • Define how costs (where applicable) are to be invoiced. This helps your supplier build their quotes and invoices to meet your needs. Ex: Will mechanical testing, scrap and alloy surcharges, or packaging need to be separated out? Or should they all be rolled into the selling price of each part? Remember to use your forging supplier as a partner and professional consultant. We are here to help you! Any information you can supply to your forging supplier will be advantageous to speeding up the quoting process. The more thorough the RFQ, the less follow-up is required. Your forging supplier, whether an open-die, closed-die/impression forger, or ringroller, is your partner. That partnership relies heavily upon making sure that transparency is maintained throughout the quoting and ordering processes. Please reach out to your forging supplier for any additional questions that you may have. Their experience and expertise can be very helpful in putting your best foot forward on your own quote to your customer.

If you are looking for a new supplier, or have any questions regarding the forging process, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Forging Industry Association for any additional information. We have included here (next page) a Prequalification RFQChecklist for you to keep and refer to as a tool when putting together your next RFQ. Some of these items may not pertain to your quote, but it’s a great tool to use to ensure that you’re considering most items that may affect your quote up front. ■

Danielle Smith Director of Marketing Administration &

Inside Sales Finkl Steel Email: dsmith@finkl.com

Special thank you to Paul Spitz, Unit Drop Forge and Lori Brown, Clifford- Jacobs for their input and contributions to this article.

Modern Foundations for Forging Hammers and Presses

gerbusa@gerb.com www.gerb.com/forging Call: 630-724-1660

FIA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2021 55