While there are many benefits to working with a big supplier, sometimes their size can actually hold you back – especially in current times when being nimble is a must. Richardson Seating, a small supplier that specializes in logoed bar stools, shares why it’s important to shore up partnerships with small and medium-sized suppliers and the surprising ways their size can be an asset to your distributorship.

Reason #1: Ability to Pivot Quickly 

One of the greatest strengths of small suppliers is their ability to adapt and change quickly. Unlike large suppliers, which may require multiple levels of management to sign off on every decision, small suppliers can make decisions and put them into action ASAP. This has proven essential to stay afloat during the pandemic and with the current supply chain issues.

Speaking of supply chain, there’s a massive shortage of bar stool frames right now. What did Richardson Seating do? It’s impossible to get parts for everyone, but Richardson Seating knew they had to prioritize service to long-term promo dealers, so they stopped selling to Amazon, Target, Williams Sonoma and Overstock for over a year, which meant they never ran out of stock for their logo bar stool customers. Big-box retailers had to wait, but promo product dealers had product available at all times. Is your current supplier willing to make those calls to support your business?

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