Sourcing the best bearings for OEMs

AS A global supplier of precision bearings and tooling equipment to the aerospace, medical, nuclear and defense industries, Carter has significantly expanded its operation and facilities over the past five years. For example, setting up distribution centres in Minnesota USA and Valencia Spain as well as implementing an Engineering team dedicated to supporting customers in their selection of the correct bearing or tool for their application.

This dedicated approach to every enquiry we receive starts from the basic question is our ‘standard product’ the best solution for the customer? If the answer is yes, we can progress by quoting a product part number supplied by the distributor/end user and supply accordingly.

If the application is more complex we can deliver a more focused approach, which includes helping customers to select a more appropriate bearing to meet the demands of their application and this is where we excel. Why? Because thanks to a very experienced Technical Sales team backed up by industry specialists within our engineering resources, we can work with customers to define exactly which type of bearing or Aerospace tool they require. 

What does a typical enquiry look like? 

"Typically we receive several sales enquiry types, some of which is where the customer knows what they want, for example a Carter Cam Follower. We keep stock of the entire imperial and metric ranges, so it’s purely a case of quoting the part and (hopefully) converting the order to be shipped on the same day," explains Carter's business development manager Francesca Kotulski. 

Once our bearings have been qualified through Engineering it’s time for our Quality and Compliance team to get involved. The team additionally reviews customers’ quality management systems (QMS) at pre-planned intervals to ensure that the bearings being specified continue to match the application. This includes the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness in relation to each customer’s strategic direction and organisation, including their individual sites.

The final steps

The final step on the journey is getting our product from us to you. As a multi-site international organisation, over the years we have honed our knowledge regarding international shipping requirements. 

"Carter Manufacturing keep large stockholdings of Silverthin Thin Section Bearings, Carter Cam Followers and UNASIS Specialist Bearings in multiple warehouse locations, which means transactions can be shipped from stock on the same day as the order is received," says warehouse controller Trevor Buckell.

"We can also ship bearings between companies to be dispatched from your local office within 24 hours and most importantly, having facilities in Valencia, Spain and Minnesota, USA, has increased our global supply chain capability, putting us closer to customers."

Prioritising customer relationships

Our relationships with suppliers, distribution partners and end-users are vital to us and hopefully the journey explained here highlights why we are different. There is a real culture of care here at Carter which is infectious. We will always strive to go above and beyond and really make the experience of buying bearings through Carter as simple and pleasurable as possible.

As we continue to grow I can only see the relationships between the team members and of course our customers, becoming even more established and refined, which ultimately improves the sales cycle and enhances the customer experience.  

Mel Meader is COO at Carter Manufacturing

For more information: 

www.carterbearings.co.uk

Tel: 01865 821 720