When the purchasing and sales experts at Hascall Steel Company are discussing forecasting, they aren’t referring to the weather. While the executive team is certainly measuring and predicting their long term expected sales for the year, they are also micro-focused on their expected purchase orders for raw material as well. Hascall Steel places extreme attention on their steel purchasing decisions because they understand just how much it directly affects customers.
Forecasting for purchasing decisions includes gathering all of the internal and external data available to make the most informed decision. This planned purchasing of steel in various grades and gauges results in decreased lead times and costs for the customer by having it already stocked and ready for shipment.
How does Hascall Steel do it better?
Over the years, Hascall Steel Company has designed an intricate proprietary ERP database system for tracking past and expected sales, along with historical data on steel purchase made by the company. The software is essentially a communication tool between the sales and purchasing departments in order to best estimate the order amounts expected for future customer shipments. What’s more is that even if the forecast suddenly changes, Hascall Steel has the ability to be nimble and act quickly, changing course to meet the demands of the update.
By understanding the needs of each manufacturer, Hascall Steel will use that information to produce the best possible advantage for every customer possible. Every week the Executive Team at Hascall Steel gathers all sources of information on steel market trends through exclusive publications and indexes, and by communicating on a weekly basis with steel mills and other industry sources. This data allows the Hascall team to view every product mix available along with real time data on what occurred in the industry the previous week. Talking with customers and trading partners within the steel industry gives Hascall Steel the guidance for estimation on lead times, levels, and sales trends in order to make the best possible purchasing decisions.
How does it benefit the customer?
Having a wealth of knowledge about current market trends for steel allows Hascall Steel Company to better serve their customers, but service doesn’t stop there. When a buyer at a manufacturing company calls their sales associate at Hascall Steel, they may ask them their thoughts on whether or not to buy now or hold off for a better price. Because of Hascall Steel’s specialized knowledge from years of operation, sales associates are able to give their Expert Opinion to best serve their buyers. And when you help out a customer (especially when saving them a lot of money) they understand from that point forward that you are truly a TRUSTED PARTNER.
For Hascall Steel’s partners who only plan to change their prices about two times a year, the Hascall Executive Team (depending on the longevity of the relationship with that particular customer) has been known to take the chance and put themselves at risk to better serve them by having their steel available at the lowest price point.
Working with an ear to the ground at all times is what keeps Hascall ahead of the game. Nothing matters more than maintaining a trusted PARTNERSHIP with their customers. It’s why Hascall Steel works around the clock to remain an industry expert in forecasting steel purchasing trends.
Have questions? Talk with the experts today.