Navigating customer relationships and adapting to demand is key

Sourcing the right power electronic components, first time, every time is vital for customers. However, today power electronic distributors need to continuously adapt to on-going application requirements and changes. A good distributor will address every aspect of your supply requirements, from the technical component specification to engineering support required post launch.

Distributors need to be agile to deal with performance challenges in harsh environments, or regulatory hoops to jump through, face testing issues or component obsolescence to overcome. The more of these challenges a distributor can help you overcome, the better the distribution partner they’ll become.

Technical support from both the distributor and the manufacturer is crucial at the design in phase to ensure the smooth running of the project. At GD Rectifiers we build long-lasting relationships with suppliers and customers to continue delivering state-of-the-art products and the level of support they require time and time again.

Adapting to demand is key

Distributors need to do more than provide electronic components, they need to offer value-added services that provide real benefit to customers. At GD Rectifiers, we provide a wide range of component obsolescence and anti-counterfeit services to help customers source authentic, hard-to-find components. Our team at GD Rectifiers focuses not just on component sourcing but the lifespan of a build and how to best future-proof customer’s systems.

Navigating customer relationships

• Understand customer needs
• Personalisation
• Communication
• Customer service

Adapting to demand

• Market analysis
• Flexible supply chain
• Scalable operations
• Product and service innovation
• Agile workforce
• Demand forecasting

The four common ways GD Rectifiers navigates customer relationships and adapts to demand

1. Always looking and moving ahead

The power electronics industry is a fast-moving market, and the products and services offered by a distribution partner will evolve over time to meeting the changing demands of customers. It’s important for distributors to embrace the evolution and champion a specialist and relevant product portfolio. Products should complement each other and be used in conjunction with one another, it’s often harder for a distributor to create a refined, specialist product range than it is to say yes to a manufacturers’ entire product range. It’s much easier to upsell to a customer and provide a 360 service if the products and end applications are linked. Product availability plays an important role in the customer journey and customers need to be confident that orders can be placed and fulfilled quickly. Customers working closely with a distributor long-term will also see their time to market reduced, with supply chain risks minimised.

2. Understanding that customisation is key

Customisation can often be the deciding factor of a project’s success, quite often parts might not be available on the shelf, need to be designed in or have already been in circulation and made obsolete due to lack of demand. Distributors work closely with manufacturers to design in suitable components or can often continue the supply of a component past the last buy date if securing a large requirement for a particular part. At GD Rectifiers, our team has years of customisation experience supplying power electronic components, power assemblies and heatsinks to a broad range of automotive, rail, medical and industrial markets.

When a part is made obsolete our team will source a drop-in replacement that replicates the form, fit and function, and comply to the same industry standards.

3. Providing a holistic approach

Distributors provide a holistic approach, they remain impartial and will quote customers on the parts required, they can also provide impartial advice and confidence that the quote will not be over specified, overpowered or overpriced. Distributors like GD Rectifiers take pride in offering a reliable and practical solution to design challenges and are confident in their ability to understand the components or devices required and provide a reliable alternative.

4. Offering flexible services

Engineers and buyers require flexible products and services from a distribution partner, which is why customers often turn to SMEs as they tend to be more accommodating than some of the bigger industry players.

At GD Rectifiers, we understand that key buying factors and project priorities can change quickly, which is why we’re proud to offer flexible products and services within our range. We offer scheduled and call-off orders to enable our customers to call-off products as and when they need them, this provides a more sustainable and flexible supply chain for when demand is volatile.

At GD Rectifiers, we fully embrace customer relationships. We work in tandem with customers around product design or redesign, providing peace of mind that they have various cost-effective options. Whilst the price of components is still a key deciding factor, we also believe that the customer experience, technical support and after sales support also play an integral role in winning repeat business year after year. At GD Rectifiers we nurture our customer relationships and are always looking at ways to enhance our product range, improve our services and save customers money. We partner with some of the world’s leading power electronic component brands such as IXYS, Westcode, Semikron Danfoss, Eaton Bussmann, Mersen and Enerdoor.

We offer a wide range of design support and purchasing services including component sourcing, component obsolescence, CNC machining, contract manufacturing services, heatsink design and selection, power assembly design and selection, custom designed solutions and traction refurbishments.

For further information on GD Rectifiers products or to request a quote, please contact our sales team on 01444 243 452 or email [email protected].