Choosing to work with a new supplier can be risky business. You need to get a good mix of suppliers on your preferred suppliers list (PSL) and from time to time it will need a refresh.
Suppliers might not be able to fulfill all your requirements in which case you might want to remove them from your list and a new supplier might offer you the latest and greatest innovations that others can’t, or you might see an emerging gap in the market and you need a new supplier to help you meet that need. Whatever your reason for seeking to work with new suppliers, there are a number of questions you should be asking them before you embark on a new partnership
1. What are your unique selling points?
Your selected suppliers should be able to tell you their unique selling points without having to think too hard. This should be part of their elevator pitch to you – what’s so great about their company, what do they do that’s different to anyone else, and what are the benefits your organisation will see as a result?
Remember that price isn't everything. Other factors are equally important when choosing a supplier - reliability and speed of delivery are also important, for example. If you buy cheaply but you are constantly let down, you will soon be starting the supplier search all over again.
2. Is your company financially secure?
Before entering into any arrangement with a new supplier it’s always worth making sure they have sufficiently strong cashflow to deliver what you want, when you need it. Any delay in supply could cause disruption to your business and frustrate your customers. A credit check will reassure you that your suppliers won't go out of business when you need them most.
3. Can we speak to your customers/reference sites?
Your suppliers should have customers who are willing to vouch for them. You could ask to see case studies or testimonials that promote the service or products they provide or you could ask to speak to contacts at the reference sites yourself. There is no reason for them to say no to this if they have a bank of satisfied customers to choose from.
4. Do you have capacity to meet our demand?
Finding out when the supplier was established, how many staff they have, and who they already supply to will help to give you a good idea of the quantities they are used to supplying. You will need to give them a good idea of the potential value of your orders and ask them frankly if they can meet that demand.
5. Can we grow profitably together?
If one of your requirements is to build a long-term partnership, ask this question to see if your prospective supplier is willing to build a long-term relationship with you. Find out if they have a vision for the future, with your company playing an important role. Do they see this future based on a partnership rather than just a series of deals to make money? Ultimately, the manufacturer/supplier relationship is at its best when a strategic partnership is formed.
6. Do you have service level agreements?
Service level agreements (SLAs) are agreements or contracts with suppliers that define the service they must provide and the level of service they must deliver. An SLA also sets out responsibilities and priorities. SLAs are contractual obligations and can be used in any supplier contract where a service is being provided. Typically your supplier should provide an SLA that includes:
- The type of service provided
- The standards they commit to
- Delivery times
- The responsibilities of both the supplier and customer
- Provisions for legal and regulatory compliance
- Service monitoring and reporting mechanisms
- Payment terms
- How disputes will be resolved
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions
- Termination conditions
If your suppliers fail to meet what is set out in the SLA, it usually provides guidelines for compensation, normally in the form of rebates on service charges. If the SLA does not guarantee the service quality you require, it’s a good idea to look for alternative suppliers or include contingency plans to manage any issues.
7. How does your pricing compare with other organisations selling the same solution?
Even though selecting your suppliers should not be based wholly on cost, it’s useful to ask them how they perceive their organisation’s pricing compared with their competitors. Do they see themselves as low end, mid-range or high end? Getting an idea of how they position themselves will give you a good insight into not only their pricing, but also the quality of their service and products. It’s a good idea to also create a self-assessment questionnaire for any prospective suppliers to complete. This can be used to identify price as well as performance gaps, and discover how the supplier understands their operations and the market you operate in.
Keep your preferred suppliers list short and succinct and it will be easier to manage and probably more cost effective. Bear in mind that the ultimate goal is a win-win situation for the supplier and you; therefore, open and transparent communication is extremely important. Last but not least, make sure you have a backup plan – a company that you know can help you out if all else fails.
If you’re looking for a supplier in the water treatment industry, our team will be able to answer all of the questions listed above as well as any others you may have.
1) What is the raw material needed for steel production?
Steel is made when iron is combined with carbon and other elements like-
- Water
- Flux (Limestone and Dolomite)
- Refractories
- Silica or Sand
- Water
- Ferro alloys
Here are Steel Plant interview questions and answers for freshers as well as experienced candidates to get their dream job.Steel is made when iron is combined with carbon and other elements like-
Free PDF Download: Steel Industry Interview Questions and Answers
2) How molten iron or base material for steel is made?
To prepare molten iron you use limestone and coke, and you put into the top of a blast furnace. After that, you expose the base material to the air until its very hot, out of which the molten iron is prepared, and ultimately this iron is used to make steel.
3) What are the types of steel?
- Stainless Steel
- Carbide Steel
- Carbon Steel
- High-speed Steel
- Cobalt Steel
4) Explain what is the difference between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel?
Hot Rolled Steel vs Cold Rolled Steel
- Hot rolling involves steel at a temperature (1700* F) above the steel’s recrystallization temperature
- Cold rolled steel is manufactured at temperature below its recrystallization temperature
- Hot Rolled Steel is cheaper to make
- Cold Rolled Steel is not as cheaper as hot rolled steel
- Hot rolled steel will shrink while cooling process and the shape and size are predictable, unlike cold rolled steel.
- There is no worry about the steel shrinking or changing shape of steel.
- Hot rolled finishing is not as smooth as Cold Rolled steel
- Cold rolled steel has smoother finishing and has a square corner and more accurate in dimension
- Hot Rolled Steel is used for welding purpose and construction trades such as making rail road tracks, I-beams, etc.
- Cold Rolled Steel is used for the purpose where quality of steel matters like steel used for the suspension bridge
5) What is the amount of steel does BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking) Vessel can take?
BOS is the central bulk production process for refining iron into steel. It can take up to 350 tonnes of molten iron at a time and convert it into steel in less than 30 minutes.
6) Explain what is Blast furnace?
Blast furnace is a technique used to
7) What is the use of Tundish in the steel plant?
In steel production plant, tundish is a reservoir that enables the steel to flow at a regulated rate through gas tight refractory tubes and into a series of water-cooled copper moulds.
8) What are the different shapes or forms does steel are prepared?
Steel is prepared into various sections like
- Plates and Tubes
- Strip and Profiles
- Rails
- Rods
- Wire and Bar
9) What are the main challenges does steel industry is facing now?
The main challenges that steel industry is facing now is
- Overcapacity
- High raw material cost
- Price volatility
10) What are alloying agents?
To change the chemical structure of steel and, to enhance its properties over carbon steel or to alter them to meet the requirements of a particular application alloying agents are used. For instance, if you have a chromium about 12% of the content, chromium significantly improves corrosion resistance. Such corrosion resistance steel is referred as stainless steel.
11) What are the impurities added in the steel?
Impurities percentage is very minimal, and it is added according to the requirements
- Silicon
- Sulphur
- Carbon
- Phosphorous
- Manganese, etc.
12) What are PCI stands for?
PCI stands for Pulverized Coal Injection Method.
13) Mention what is the melting point of steel?
Melting point of steel is approximately, 1370 degree C, although its melting point differs according to the type of alloy mixed in it, which gives the strength, corrosion free and other properties to the steel.
14) What does “tool steel” contains?
Tool steels contain molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt and vanadium in different quantities to increase the heat resistance and the durability, making them ideal for cutting and drilling equipment.
15) Explain what is the thermal lance?
Thermal lance is a tool that heats and melts iron in the presence of pressurized oxygen to produce high temperatures required for cutting.
16) What is the main hazardous thing in Steel Plant?
The hazardous thing that one have to take care while working in Steel Plant is
- Heat
- Dust
- Noise
- Liquid metal and Slag
- Gas Poisoning
- Moving equipment’s
- Moving locomotives
- Fire and Explosion
17) What are the types of Stainless Steel?
The main types of stainless steel are
- Ferritic
- Austenitic
- Martensitic
18) What forms of corrosion you will see in stainless steel?
The type of corrosion you will see in stainless steel are
- Pitting Corrosion
- Crevice Corrosion
- General Corrosion
- Stress Corrosion
- Intergranular Corrosion
- Galvanic Corrosion
19) What are the factors that matter for choosing stainless steel?
The factors that mater before choosing stainless steel are
- Temperature of the operation
- How corrosive is the surrounding
- Type of welding carried out
- Cost and Availability
- What type of strength is required
- Costing
20) What are different ways of doing QC(Quality Control) for steel?
There are various methods for doing QC for steel
- Using Microscope: A cross section of highly polished sample is observed under 100-500 magnification diameters. It will reveal the presence of alloy metals in it and help to determine the strength and behaviour of steel under set condition
- Rockwell and Brinell hardness tests: This test is done to check the hardness of steel by impressing into the test specimen.
- Charpy and Izod test: In this test, a metal pendulum of specific weight is allowed to strike the testing sample and after that the energy absorbed by the specimen is measured. This test is done to measure the material behaviour on exposing high rate of loading, bending, tension or torsion
- Salt Bath Immersion techniques: This technique is used to check chemical, electrochemical or metallurgical interaction between the environment and the material
- Magnetic particle inspection: To detect crack, tears, seams and inclusion
- Ultrasonic sound Waves: It is used to detect porosity, internal cracks, shrinkage voids and large non-metallic inclusions
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To prepare molten iron you use limestone and coke, and you put into the top of a blast furnace. After that, you expose the base material to the air until its very hot, out of which the molten iron is prepared, and ultimately this iron is used to make steel.Hot Rolled Steel vs Cold Rolled SteelBOS is the central bulk production process for refining iron into steel. It can take up to 350 tonnes of molten iron at a time and convert it into steel in less than 30 minutes.Blast furnace is a technique used to raise the temperature up to 2200 degree C in the furnace. This high temperature is required for the chemical reduction, as well as for melting of the sinter and iron ore.In steel production plant, tundish is a reservoir that enables the steel to flow at a regulated rate through gas tight refractory tubes and into a series of water-cooled copper moulds.Steel is prepared into various sections likeThe main challenges that steel industry is facing now isTo change the chemical structure of steel and, to enhance its properties over carbon steel or to alter them to meet the requirements of a particular application alloying agents are used. For instance, if you have a chromium about 12% of the content, chromium significantly improves corrosion resistance. Such corrosion resistance steel is referred as stainless steel.Impurities percentage is very minimal, and it is added according to the requirementsPCI stands for Pulverized Coal Injection Method.Melting point of steel is approximately, 1370 degree C, although its melting point differs according to the type of alloy mixed in it, which gives the strength, corrosion free and other properties to the steel.Tool steels contain molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt and vanadium in different quantities to increase the heat resistance and the durability, making them ideal for cutting and drilling equipment.Thermal lance is a tool that heats and melts iron in the presence of pressurized oxygen to produce high temperatures required for cutting.The hazardous thing that one have to take care while working in Steel Plant isThe main types of stainless steel areThe type of corrosion you will see in stainless steel areThe factors that mater before choosing stainless steel areThere are various methods for doing QC for steel