Do we really need to consolidate lubricants used to one or several vendors? And why?

How long should be the contract with the vendor? Forever? What if we change half way?

Won't the vendor take advantage in terms of pricing due to the contractual monopoly? How to adjust genuine price hikes?

I think contract should be set for one (maybe two) year(s). When contract is about to expire open a bid for this service, current supplier will compete against potential service providers.

quote:

Won't the vendor take advantage in terms of pricing due to the contractual monopoly?

The vendor will sent his best marketing guys out, if you are big fat prey, and since marketing and commision go together, expect to deal with "be.." non technical persons with a comercial/bussiness degree/experience and they will nail you down, if you are ingenuous

I prever the one year contract, with no automatic prolongation. Let them work to prove they are worth your money.

Do you consolidate your lubricants? Are you comfortable with switching lubricants every year or so?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

Anybody got articles on lubricant consolidation?

Number of them out there with a simple google search...

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/article_detail.asp?articleid=860

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/article_detail.asp?articleid=278

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/news/iam_news3.asp?DCWS=Molykote&DCWSS=

http://www.noria.com/learning_center/category_article.a...ookgroup=Lubrication

http://www.exxon.com/USA-English/Files/EPlus.pdf#search...idation%20program%22

etc.

Organizing your needs.
Organizing your lubes.
Organizing your PM schedule.

Basic Organizing can save you big time on lube costs. Usually a lube, more specificially grease, is useful in more than one area and crossing manufacturer's recommendations will allow you to typically drop 2 or 3 products from the arsenal. Making sure each product is easily identifiable in all forms (grease guns, bulk, intermediate storage, transport) is critical to good lube and PM practice. Precision and consolidation will allow you the budget freedom to get better lubes. Better lubes typically cross for more applications and the list gets smaller and smaller until you have a few, top quality products which are easily identified and used.

Almost every lube supplier today is on the Organizational band wagon. Beware the ones that are not, as they do not have your best interest in mind. The lube articles (machinerylubrication, noria, etc.) all show awards given for most dramatically improved lube rooms. I can guarantee that the cost of making your lube room Organized is paid back within a year. Mixing greases typically causes a low viscosity situation and poor load carrying capabilities leading to failure. Organization is the key! It doesn't hurt if you salesperson shows up and handles the details either. Wall charts, lube tags, identifiable transfer containers, labelled grease guns (or clear ones now!) can keep you out of trouble and should be offered by any serious lube vendor.

Cannot open last article above from Exxon.com.