Product category:
Materials processing and testing
News Release from: Marcrist International
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 November 2000
Abrasive discs now easier to buy
Powertool accessory supplier Powermarc has adopted a new approach to supplying its abrasive discs that is designed to offer a better service to both distributor and end user.
Powertool accessory supplier Powermarc has adopted a new approach to supplying its abrasive discs that is designed to offer a better service to both distributor and end user This includes segmented packaging that is unique in the abrasive disc market and a 'customer friendly' self service stand for displaying the product in the showroom
Abrasive discs are used to cut and grind both metal and stone; users include engineers, welders, fabricators and builders.
There are three ranges of Powermarc Abrasive Revolution disc - Hallmarc, Powermarc and Trademarc.
There are just under 90 discs available in the three ranges, with diameters of 4" through to 14".
Traditionally abrasive discs are delivered in one large box and around 25 discs are packed inside with no other protection.
There are several drawbacks to this approach.
Firstly, it assumes a dealer wants at least 25 discs regardless of how quickly that particular product sells.
More specialised discs sell slowly and Powermarc believes they would be better supplied in lower numbers.
Secondly, the traditional approach does not look at how the discs are bought.
The most common end-user purchase is for five or 10 discs.
Therefore a box of 25 discs will often be broken for just five to be taken out.
Once this has happened the dealer then has to choose between placing the remaining loose discs on the shelf or leaving them in the opened box.
Unfortunately, both options lead to the third disadvantage of this approach: damage.
During a busy working day people will grab discs and handle the products stored alongside them, causing the discs to be frequently jostled and any storage box to loose its strength.
This increases the chance that a disc might become cracked and chipped.
This approach is also an annoyance to customers.
Loose discs on a showroom shelf inevitably become an untidy mix that is difficult to look at and assess.
Also, once customers have made a purchase, the same problems of loose disc storage and damage arise in their workshop, toolkit or on site.
Powermarc believes it has overcome these problems with a new approach to packaging.
Discs are supplied in shrink-wrapped packs of five, which are in turn packed in pairs to make boxes of ten.
These boxes are then packed in outers of 50 or 100, depending on the disc size.
Powermarc has also maintained a customer's option to buy just one disc if required.
For end users the packaging means they can buy as little as five discs 'factory fresh' and can keep them in that condition in their tool kit or workroom until it is time to use them.
For dealers the new format makes discs easier to handle and store.
Powermarc has also looked at how discs are displayed in showrooms, offering dealers a compact and informative 'self service system' for this area.
This is a free-standing display unit that shows the many kinds of Powermarc discs available in a compact three sided format, with clear graphic panels allowing customers to quickly see which disc is the best option for the task in hand.
Each of the three Powermarc abrasive disc ranges is backed with its own type of guarantee, which means end users can be confident in their purchase of the Powermarc products.
All discs comply with every known safety standard worldwide, and each individual disc is examined before leaving the factory and is awarded a quality assurance sticker to confirm it has passed inspection.
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