As a leading independent supplier of cutting tools and engineering solutions,
Hi-Tech Tooling has announced that it has entered a strategic partnership with Tooling Intelligence Ltd.
The collaboration between the two companies designates
Tooling Intelligence as the preferred tool vending and inventory management supplier for Hi-Tech Tooling across Ireland.
Supplying manufacturers throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Hi-Tech Tooling serves the medical, aerospace and general engineering sectors with a diverse portfolio of cutting tools, workholding and consumables.
As a multi-brand supplier, Hi-Tech Tooling required a partner capable of supporting its portfolio breadth, selecting Tooling Intelligence for its product quality, technical support, innovative technologies and a genuinely independent solution.
Tooling Intelligence offers SupplyPro inventory management solutions and has been exclusive to the brand since 2007. For Irish manufacturers, the partnership provides 24/7 access to tooling, with stock held on consignment, so customers pay only for what they withdraw.
Minimum and maximum stock levels are set for each location, and a critical alert is triggered before the minimum is breached, allowing Hi-Tech Tooling to replenish remotely within 24 hours. Real-time usage reporting gives customers full visibility of consumption, while a single monthly invoice replaces the administrative burden of multiple purchase orders, deliveries and invoices.
That administrative saving is one many customers overlook. Hi-Tech Tooling estimates the true cost of raising a single purchase order, from leaving the machine and placing the order through to settling the invoice in accounts, at up to €50. Repeated across several suppliers and several orders a week, that hidden overhead mounts up quickly.
Tony Foster, director at Hi-Tech Tooling, said: "We absolutely needed a partner in tool vending; a reliable partner, a good-quality product and excellent support. We are not tied to any particular manufacturer or brand, and this is the best solution on the market for our customer base. It is a win-win: the customer has the stock, they have the support, and they pay only as they use it. It will yield huge results for our customers."
Tooling Intelligence has been instrumental in tailoring the solution to the needs of Hi-Tech Tooling's customers. The first installation, a nine-smart drawer system with capacity for over 240 individual product codes, was delivered and fully operational in 24 hours, with shopfloor users trained in approximately 15 minutes.
Richard Swaffield, managing director at Tooling Intelligence explained: "It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Hi-Tech Tooling. Tony and his team have an impressive customer base with a broad range of requirements, and our independent solution is a natural fit. We look forward to supporting their growth across Ireland."
With further installations already scheduled through to the end of the year, the partnership represents a significant step forward for the Irish market, reducing tooling costs, eliminating stockouts and ensuring continuity of supply.
Pic: Tony Foster from Hi-Tech Tooling with the new tool vending system