ENGINEERING & EQUIPMENT www.drycargomag.com JULY 2022
DCi 78
Engineering consultants when proper planning makes all the difference
Louise Dodds-Ely
The best first step for a bulk handling project Picking a vendor to design, engineer, manufacture, and service fit-for-purpose bulk material handling equipment is an investment in a long-term professional partnership. It’s a big job, but it doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Clients can simplify pricing requests by asking themselves the right questions before approaching potential vendors. The scope of the project shouldn’t prevent clients from taking the time to get it right. Spending the time at the outset of the project pays off in future returns. Industrial equipment lasts a long time.
An investment in machinery is an investment in a relationship that can be leveraged for years to come. It is important to start new partnerships off on the right foot with clear communication.
IDENTIFY ‘NEED-TO-KNOWS’ A solid working relationship should start with direct and open communication from the start, setting the tone for all future dealings. Price is one of a client’s most immediate concerns. To provide the client with what they need to know, potential vendors require specific details about the
context of the project that is being planned. Aside from application details regarding what bulk materials the client’s company handles and how these materials should be handled (e.g., storage, shipping, reclamation, etc.), vendors also need: v technical specifications; v space requirements and limitations; and v relevant environmental factors. Gathering all this information before reaching out to vendors has two distinct benefits. First, it clarifies the project’s
