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You've searched online. You've checked your usual suppliers. You've sent a few emails.
And you still can't find the product you need.
It's a common problem for businesses, schools and organisations, particularly when you need something unusual, a specific specification or a much larger quantity than normally available.
The good news is that just because you can't find a product online doesn't mean it isn't available.
At Andersons Wholesale, our product sourcing service allows us to look beyond the products listed on our website and use our wider network of UK and international suppliers to help find what you need.
There are thousands of manufacturers, distributors and specialist suppliers whose products aren't necessarily easy to find through a simple Google search.
You may also run into problems such as:
This is where having access to a wider supplier network can make a significant difference.
One of the most important things to know about Andersons Wholesale is that our website doesn't represent everything we're able to supply.
Like any wholesaler, we have our core product ranges. But behind those ranges is a much larger network of suppliers, distributors and manufacturers that we've developed through decades of trading.
If you can't see what you're looking for on our website, it's still worth asking us.
You don't need to prepare a complicated purchasing brief.
If you know exactly what you require, send us as much information as possible.
Useful details include:
But don't worry if you don't know all of that.
Sometimes a photograph and a message saying "Can you find something like this?" is enough for us to start investigating.
We'll look at your requirements and determine the best way to source the product.
Depending on the request, this could mean approaching an existing UK supplier, finding a specialist distributor or investigating manufacturing options overseas.
We'll consider factors such as price, quality, quantities, availability and lead time before presenting the most appropriate option.
For larger or bespoke projects, samples may also be available before committing to the full order.
The simple answer is: ask us.
We've built our business around supplying products to a wide variety of organisations, so we're not restricted to one particular sector.
Sourcing enquiries could include:
Some enquiries will be straightforward. Others may require considerably more research.
Either way, if there's a realistic way of sourcing it, we'll do our best to find it.
This is where product sourcing can become particularly useful.
Buying 10, 100 or even 500 products can often be relatively straightforward.
Finding thousands or tens of thousands of the same product can be very different.
Stock availability, manufacturing capacity, lead times, transport and unit pricing all become much more important.
Rather than trying to purchase large quantities through normal retail or wholesale channels, we can investigate options specifically suited to larger orders.
Potentially, yes.
Depending on the product and quantity, we can investigate options including custom colours, printed logos, bespoke packaging and products manufactured to a particular specification.
Bespoke manufacturing usually involves minimum order quantities and longer lead times, so it's worth contacting us as early as possible if you have a particular deadline.
We'll look for the solution that makes the most sense for your requirement.
Sometimes that's a UK supplier.
For larger quantities or bespoke manufacturing, an international manufacturer may provide more options.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, which is why we consider price alongside factors such as lead time, quality, minimum quantities and delivery costs.
You could spend hours searching for suppliers yourself.
Sometimes that's all that's needed.
But when the product is difficult to find, the quantities are large or your team simply doesn't have the time, using an experienced sourcing partner can make the process considerably easier.
Andersons Wholesale has been supplying organisations for decades. During that time, we've developed relationships with suppliers in the UK and internationally.
Our job is simple:
You tell us what you need. We do the searching.
Don't assume we can't supply something simply because it isn't listed on our website.
Send us the product details, a specification, a photograph or even just an idea of what you're trying to achieve.
We'll take a look and let you know what options are available.
Need help finding a product? Contact Andersons Wholesale and let our sourcing team do the searching for you.
Finding the right product at the right price sounds simple - until you actually have to do it.
Perhaps you need a large quantity of an item that your usual supplier can't provide. Maybe you're looking for something unusual, bespoke or branded. Or you simply don't have the time to contact multiple suppliers, compare quotations and work out which option offers the best value.
This is where product sourcing comes in.
In this guide, we'll explain what product sourcing means, how the process works and why businesses use product sourcing specialists to make purchasing easier.
Product sourcing is the process of finding suitable products and suppliers based on a particular requirement.
That requirement could involve price, quantity, specification, quality, delivery times or even the manufacture of a completely bespoke product.
Rather than simply choosing something that's already available from a catalogue, effective product sourcing involves looking across a wider supplier network to find the most suitable solution.
For businesses, this can mean accessing products that aren't readily available through their existing suppliers while avoiding the time and effort involved in searching the market themselves.
The exact process depends on what you're looking for, but it will usually start with a brief.
You might already know exactly what you need, including quantities, dimensions and specifications. Alternatively, you may simply have an idea of the outcome you're trying to achieve.
From there, the sourcing process can include:
For more complex projects, the process may also involve samples, bespoke manufacturing, branding, international shipping and product compliance.
Your existing suppliers may be excellent at what they do, but no single supplier can provide everything.
A sourcing company can look beyond a standard product catalogue and approach a much wider network of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers.
Finding suppliers can be surprisingly time-consuming.
Searching online is only the beginning. You then need to make enquiries, wait for responses, compare prices, check specifications and establish whether the supplier can actually meet your requirements.
Outsourcing this process allows your team to concentrate on running the business.
The cheapest quotation isn't necessarily the best option.
A good sourcing process considers the overall value of a purchase, including product quality, delivery costs, lead times, minimum quantities and supplier reliability.
Product sourcing becomes particularly useful when what you need isn't easily available.
This might include an unusual specification, very large quantities, branded merchandise or a product that needs to be manufactured specifically for your organisation.
Product sourcing doesn't automatically mean importing from overseas.
In many cases, a UK supplier may provide the best combination of price, availability and lead time.
For other requirements, sourcing internationally can open up additional manufacturing options and potentially lower unit costs, particularly for larger quantities.
The right approach depends on the product, quantity, timescale and budget.
At Andersons Wholesale, our sourcing network includes suppliers in the UK as well as international manufacturers, allowing us to consider different options depending on the customer's requirements.
There isn't a simple answer because the range can be enormous.
Products might include:
And that's by no means an exhaustive list.
One of the biggest advantages of using a sourcing service is that you aren't restricted to the products already listed on a supplier's website.
The two terms are closely related, but they aren't exactly the same.
Product sourcing focuses primarily on finding the right products and suppliers.
Procurement is a broader process that can include sourcing, purchasing, negotiating terms, supplier management and managing the ongoing supply of goods.
For a straightforward requirement, you may simply need help sourcing a particular product.
For organisations purchasing a wide variety of goods regularly, a wider procurement service may be more appropriate.
Yes.
Andersons Wholesale has been supplying organisations across the UK for decades, and our capabilities extend far beyond the products listed on our website.
Through our network of UK and international suppliers, we can investigate products based on your individual requirements.
That could be something relatively straightforward that you simply can't find, or a much larger bespoke sourcing project.
The more information you can provide, the easier it is to identify the right solution.
Useful information includes:
Don't worry if you don't have all of this information. A photograph, existing product or even a description of what you're trying to achieve can be enough to start the conversation.
If you're struggling to find a product, need a large quantity or simply want someone else to take care of the sourcing process, Andersons Wholesale can help.
Our team can search our network of trusted UK and international suppliers to find a solution that meets your requirements.
Tell us what you're looking for and let us do the searching.
