The Buyer’s Guide to Self-Clinching Fasteners You Must Have!
Posted: June 16, 2022 Filed under: Brand equivalents, Captive Self-Clinching, PEM Self-Clinching | Tags: manufacturing, PEM Leave a comment
Through our extensive assortment of OEM brand names and equivalents, we offer our customers quality imported and domestic self-clinching options.
Read More https://conta.cc/3MFOMfm
Your Ultimate Functional Equivalent Cheat Sheet
Posted: June 9, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Functional Equivalents, Hardware, Keenserts, manufacturing Leave a comment
At MF Supply, we spend a lot of time sourcing hard to find, back ordered, expensive, or out-of-stock OEM hardware brands. We do this in order to save money and to reduce long lead times for our customers, without sacrificing quality.
Read More https://conta.cc/37Yp0F6
MF SUPPLY EXPANDS TO NEW MARKETS THANKS TO NJMEP SUPPORT
Posted: November 23, 2021 Filed under: NJMEP, Supply chain - manufacturing | Tags: Hardware, manufacturing, njmep, supply chain Leave a comment
MF Supply relied heavily on the accurate and timely information NJMEP provided once the pandemic began.
“Our business has grown and added headcount by pivoting directions. A lot of that happened, frankly, because of the information we received from NJMEP,” Robin Lieberman, President, MF Supply explained.
Custom Made & Reworked Fasteners
Posted: August 13, 2021 Filed under: Custom Fasteners per print, Domestic Fasteners | Tags: Hardware, Keenserts, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentWhen off-the-shelf fasteners are not the right fit for an application, engineers and designers may require Custom Made fasteners. This may be for a prototype, a replacement of an existing part, or for a large-scale production run. Learn more about what they are and how to get an accurate quote below.
Custom Made & Reworked Fasteners at MF Supply https://conta.cc/3AiegcZ
New Inch & Mil-Spec Precision Shoulder Screws
Posted: May 21, 2019 Filed under: Precision Shoulder Screws | Tags: manufacturing, Mil-spec fasteners, Precision Shoulder Screws, supply chain Leave a comment-
- Grainger 6JY20
- Lyn-tron SS7431-00
- McMaster-Carr 94035A208
- MSC Industrial 67313726
- Pic Design 4423
- RAF 6931-SS
- WM Berg PZ-14-3
- MS51576-14
Five Reasons to buy from MF Supply
- Huge inventory including 18-8, 303, 316, 416, A2, A4 stainless in Inch & Metric, including major brands and functional equivalents
- Domestic parts with full paperwork and Certificate of Conformanceavailable
- Custom Sizes, Materials and Plating options available
- Creatively solve problems including hard to find parts and long lead times
- WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business
Brand Equivalent Case Study: Achieving faster delivery & lower costs using functional equivalents
Posted: October 8, 2018 Filed under: keensert, key-locking inserts, Mil-Spec, Supply chain - manufacturing | Tags: keensert, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentOctober 9, 2018
Here at MF Supply we spend a lot of time sourcing hard to find, back-ordered or out of stock OEM hardware brands for our customers. Much like brand-name pharmaceuticals such as Tylenol and Advil are available generically (as acetaminophen and ibuprofen), some brand name fasteners are also available as “generics,” “crosses,” “alternatives” or “functional equivalents.” In the world of fasteners, a functional equivalent fastener is a part that is the same as the brand-name product in form, fit and function, including material and plating specifications. Using equivalents and alternatives to OEM brand names can be a smart way to reduce long lead times and/or cut expenses.
Check out this Case Study where an OEM brand was substituted with a functional equivalent, reducing costs by 59% and shaving lead time by over 20 weeks. This time and money savings gave the manufacturer an advantage over their competition, which helped them win the job.
ISSUE
A Tier 3 aerospace manufacturer of subassemblies is bidding on a job for a large international Aircraft OEM where the bill of materials calls for 172 pieces of a 1/4-28 x 1/2-20 Floating Key-Locking Insert in A286 stainless steel with a Fairchild/Alcoa Keensert® part number KNKDL428JT. As the part is in nonstock status at Alcoa, the delivery time is 28-29 weeks (yes that is half of one year which can be standard for aerospace related and mil-spec parts). Here is the dilemma – based on this delivery schedule, the manufacturer cannot meet their prospective client’s two month delivery requirement.
SUGGESTED SOLUTION
MF Supply gets a print of the part and is able to cross it to an exact functional equivalent for an alternative brand we distribute. Our factory can manufacturer and deliver the part in 4-5 weeks at 1/2 the cost of the OEM brand fastener. The alternative parts will be manufactured with full lot traceability and manufacturer’s test reports, a certificate of conformance and a DFARS statement. The client (Aircraft OEM) approves the substitution and awards the manufacturer the business based on their ability to make the 2 month delivery requirement. A Purchase Order for the Floating Key-Locking Insert is issued to MF Supply. As promised, within 5 weeks, the complete 172 inserts, with full paperwork, are delivered to the manufacturer. The subassemblies are produced and delivered to the end client on time and underbudget.
TIME SAVINGS
-MF Supply functional equivalent fasteners shorten delivery time from 28-29 weeks to 5 weeks.
COST SAVINGS
-KNKDL428JT price = $200 each. Total cost $34,400.
-MF equivalent price = $82.00 each. Total cost $14,104.
-Savings=$20,296!
SUMMARY / BENEFIT
-Cost savings of $20,296 or 59% (not a typo!).
– Tier 3 aerospace manufacturer wins bid and is awarded job.
-Work is completed on time.
-Job is more profitable due to cost savings realized on inserts.
-Job has been a repeater and a money maker for Tier 3 aerospace manufacturer.
In summary, if your bill of materials calls for an OEM brand fastener or component, find out if you must have the brand name product. In cases where a generic or equivalent alternative part will work, there might be an opportunity to save money and shorten delivery time.
Before you shop, check the bill of materials to see if it specifically calls out a particular brand name along with the part number. If no specific manufacturer’s name is listed, then you can typically use a generic alternative or equivalent product?. For more complete info, check out our July 27 blog for your 4 point checklist on determining if functional equivalents will work for your business.
For more information about MF Supply contact:
Robin Lieberman, President
robin@mfsupply.com
973-777-5411
Case Study: Smart Manufacturers use Brand Equivalents to Save Time and Money
Posted: March 6, 2017 Filed under: keensert, key-locking inserts, Mil-Spec, Supply chain - manufacturing | Tags: keensert, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentNewsletter
Volume 20
March 7, 2017
In our January blog we discussed how Keylocking Inserts are often referred to by their trademarked brand name Keensert®. The Keensert® is not alone! Did you know that many brand name OEM fastening products and components can be crossed to a generic alternative equivalent product?
Before you shop, check to see if the bill of materials specifically calls out a particular brand name. If no specific manufacturer’s name is listed, then you can typically use a functional alternative or equivalent. Using equivalents and alternatives to OEM brand names can be a smart way to reduce long lead times and/or cut expenses.
Check out this Case Study where an OEM brand was substituted with a functional equivalent, reducing costs by 37% and shaving lead time. This time and money savings gave the manufacturer an advantage over their competition, which helped them win the job.
SUGGESTED SOLUTION
MF Supply gets a print of the part from SPIROL® and is able to cross it to an exact functional equivalent for an alternative brand we distribute and our factory has in stock. Samples of the alternative fasteners are delivered directly to the customer within 24 hours for inspection and testing.
TIME SAVINGS
-MF Supply functional equivalent fasteners shorten delivery time from 4-5 weeks to 2-3 days.
COST SAVINGS
-SPIROL® Price = .11938 each. Total cost $1790.
-MF equivalent price = .075 each. Total cost $1125.
SUMMARY / BENEFIT
-Cost savings of $665 or 37%.
-Display Manufacturer wins bid and is awarded job.
-Work is completed on time.
-Job is more profitable due to cost savings realized on fasteners.
-Job has been a repeater and a money maker for Display manufacturer.
In summary, if your bill of materials calls for an OEM brand fastener or component, find out if you must have the brand name product. In cases where a generic or equivalent alternative part will work, there might be an opportunity to save money and shorten delivery time.
For more information about MF Supply contact:
Robin Lieberman, President
robin@mfsupply.com
973-777-5411
What the heck is new?
Posted: September 23, 2014 Filed under: Additive Manufacturing | Tags: 3D printing, additive manufacturing, manufacturing, manufacturing index Leave a commentNewsletter
Volume 10
September 24, 2014
What the heck is new?
Welcome to the 10th edition of our “What the heck is that” newsletter and blog where we discuss some of the unique fasteners and electronic hardware that manufacturers use in the design and assembly of their products.
This month, we decided to change it up. September is Back to School time, where Education is top of mind. So, we decided to share some of our recent learnings with our readers.
Have you heard that Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the new name for 3D printing? Did you know that stainless steel and wood pallets are commodities in short supply for the 4th month in a row? Scroll down to explore the news that got us excited in September, and click on the survey links to share your experience.
What’s new and interesting?
World’s First 3D printed Car
The International Technology Manufacturing Show took place in Chicago earlier this month. What could be sexier than the marriage of technology and manufacturing? Innovation was the name of the game as the world’s first-ever 3D printed car was built on site in just 44 hours! Check out this super cool video: http://www.manufacturing.net/videos/2014/09/video-the-worlds-first-3d-printed-car to see the car being built.
The printed car consists of about 40 parts, versus 20,000 parts in a regular car. That’s a 500% reduction in parts, which is a jaw-dropping savings (and for sure impacts suppliers to manufacturers like us!). Is your organization planning to invest in 3D printing technology in the next 12-18 months? Click here to take the survey
Manufacturing Index Up along with Commodity prices
The August Manufacturing Index reports that new orders, employment and production are growing. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the 15th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 63rd consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. We say, it’s about time!
Commodity prices, including stainless steel and aluminum are increasing as well, which is sure to impact the price of many final products in the coming months.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 17 are reporting growth over 2013. Is your company growing over 2013? Click here to take survey.
The Remaking of American Manufacturing in New Jersey
On October 15, 2015, the NJMTA will be hearing from the Alliance for American Manufacturing, the NJ Business Action Center and the US Department of Commerce International Trade Association (ITA) on how we can grow Manufacturing in New Jersey. MF Supply will be there hosting as a Bronze Sponsor. Mark your calendars for this important dinner and networking event.
Check back with us next month for our next Product newsletter/blog. And please email me directly if you’ve got any ideas for topics you would like to learn about. I’m all ears!
Thanks,
Robin
The Screw Lady