The concept cost is the most important consideration in business took a sharp knock following a survey of its members by Select, the electrical sector’s campaigning trade body, which showed quality and service are the overriding factors.
Newell McGuiness, Select MD, unveiled the results of the survey at the Regional Business Forum of the Electrical Distributors’ Association, which represents the electrical wholesale distribution industry within the UK.
The event, at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew last month (19 May), highlighted Select’s survey and the message the electrical industry is more concerned with getting things right than doing them cheaply.
Newell McGuiness said: “It is quite revelatory that hard-pressed businesses, who are under pressure to cut costs wherever they can, are still insisting on quality as the primary consideration in major purchases – in the interests of their own customers.”
The survey showed, when choosing a particular manufacturer, 65% of respondents based their decisions on quality, compared to only 19% who decided on price.
Availability also scored highly at nearly 51%, indicating that respondents were keen to deliver promptly and efficiently to their customers. After sales service was also seen as being particularly important.
Electricians were also more likely to buy a product if it had been manufactured in the UK, indicating not only a propensity for quality goods but also an inclination to support other locally-based manufacturers.
Quality of service and availability also featured strongly, at 50% and 41%, when respondents were asked what they based their purchase decisions on when they were selecting a distributor.
Most purchases were made at a trade counter, with phone, email and web purchases following in descending order. It was also very clear, at 75%, that purchasers expected the distributor to ensure that products were compliant with British and EU standards.
Alan Wilson, head of membership and communications at Select, who was also at the EDA Forum, said: “The survey makes it clear that quality products are sought by properly qualified electricians and poor installations and poor products can impact on the reputation of manufacturers and distributors.”
