Delivered on time
What’s the key difference between a care home furniture supplier and a manufacturer?
Whilst both a supplier and a manufacturer do supply furniture to care homes, a manufacturer makes the furniture in their own factories either to order or for stock and a supplier buys the furniture in ready-made for stock and then sells it on to the end-user.
This means in some cases, but not all, a care home supplier has shorter lead times as they have furniture in stock and do not have to wait for the furniture to be made. However, in saying this, there are furniture suppliers in the UK that do have very long delivery times due to them being unable to control their supply chain.
Suppliers Vs Manufacturers; Advantages and Disadvantages
Suppliers
Advantages
- Typically have shorter lead times
- Furniture can be more cost effective as its manufactured in bulk
- Save time ordering due to smaller product offerings
Disadvantages
- Limited choice available
- Your home looks the same as your competitions due to limited options available
- Bespoke / custom product lead-time is very long
- Quality can be lower due to furniture being manufactured in bulk and being unable to control the supply chain
Manufacturers
Advantages
- High level of customisation available
- More premium look possible due to being able to use any fabric etc.
- Create a unique look in your home setting you apart from your competitors
- Typically have a higher quality level due to being able to control the manufacturing processes
Disadvantages
- Delivery times typically longer due to items not being stocked
- Can be more expensive due to items not being manufactured in bulk
- More time consuming to order due to more options being available
So, should I choose a supplier or manufacturer?
Whether you choose to work with a furniture supplier, or a manufacturer comes down to what it is that you are really looking for. If you are looking for something that you need delivered very quickly and don’t mind looking the same as your competitors then a supplier may be the best option for you but if you want something more unique and are happy to potentially wait slightly longer then working with a manufacturer may be a better option.
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