The Hidden Costs of Traditional Sourcing
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Sourcing parts and materials is a fundamental challenge in manufacturing, but few stop to consider the real cost of this process. Whether you’re quoting a project, fulfilling a contract, or simply committed to keeping your supply chain American-made, the time and effort required to find the right supplier can be substantial.
The Search Begins
Depending on the size of your operation, your sourcing process may begin with an engineer identifying suppliers. They might:Search old business cards and contacts
Dig through directories
Use Google, LinkedIn, Directories, or trade association lists
Call past suppliers for referrals
Time Spent: Approximately 2 hours for simple partsVetting the Supplier
Once potential suppliers are identified, your sourcing or procurement team takes over. They must:Contact each supplier
Verify their capabilities, lead times, and certifications
Evaluate quotes and compare options
Assess reliability based on past experience or references
Time Spent: Approximately 2 hours for simple partsAt this stage, the total cost in wages and lost productivity is already significant — often running into hundreds or thousands of dollars. And this is assuming the first supplier found is the right one. If a better option exists, the process might need to be repeated.
The Risks of Inefficient Sourcing
Missed Deadlines: Every extra step in sourcing adds time to production.
Higher Costs: If a better supplier isn’t found, you may overpay or receive subpar materials.
Lost Productivity: Skilled employees — engineers, machinists, and buyers — are pulled away from high-value work.
Limited Supplier Visibility: What if there was a better option out there that wasn’t found?
The NORAMARK Solution
Instead of relying on outdated directories and cold calls, NORAMARK offers a trusted, AI-powered sourcing network that streamlines the process.How NORAMARK Saves Time & Money
Drop a request into a vetted feed — Instantly access a network of proven manufacturersDiscreet, private sourcing — Securely share requests with verified, high-trust suppliers
Seamless collaboration — Engineers and buyers can work together in one platform
Trust Scores & Ratings — Quickly evaluate suppliers based on real performance
All Manufacturing Verticals — If it’s made in the U.S., it’s on NORAMARK
Instead of spending 4+ hours per request searching, calling, and vetting suppliers, NORAMARK helps you connect with the right partner instantly. Save time, reduce costs, and ensure quality sourcing — all while keeping manufacturing strong in America.
The Bottom Line
For large and small manufacturers, inefficient sourcing scales into millions of dollars lost. For small shops, every hour spent looking for a bolt or outsourcing work means time off the shop floor. The real cost of sourcing isn’t just dollars — it’s productivity, speed, and reputation. -
Sourcing parts and materials is a fundamental challenge in manufacturing, but few stop to consider the real cost of this process. Whether you’re quoting a project, fulfilling a contract, or simply committed to keeping your supply chain American-made, the time and effort required to find the right supplier can be substantial.
The Search Begins
Depending on the size of your operation, your sourcing process may begin with an engineer identifying suppliers. They might:Search old business cards and contacts
Dig through directories
Use Google, LinkedIn, Directories, or trade association lists
Call past suppliers for referrals
Time Spent: Approximately 2 hours for simple partsVetting the Supplier
Once potential suppliers are identified, your sourcing or procurement team takes over. They must:Contact each supplier
Verify their capabilities, lead times, and certifications
Evaluate quotes and compare options
Assess reliability based on past experience or references
Time Spent: Approximately 2 hours for simple partsAt this stage, the total cost in wages and lost productivity is already significant — often running into hundreds or thousands of dollars. And this is assuming the first supplier found is the right one. If a better option exists, the process might need to be repeated.
The Risks of Inefficient Sourcing
Missed Deadlines: Every extra step in sourcing adds time to production.
Higher Costs: If a better supplier isn’t found, you may overpay or receive subpar materials.
Lost Productivity: Skilled employees — engineers, machinists, and buyers — are pulled away from high-value work.
Limited Supplier Visibility: What if there was a better option out there that wasn’t found?
The NORAMARK Solution
Instead of relying on outdated directories and cold calls, NORAMARK offers a trusted, AI-powered sourcing network that streamlines the process.How NORAMARK Saves Time & Money
Drop a request into a vetted feed — Instantly access a network of proven manufacturersDiscreet, private sourcing — Securely share requests with verified, high-trust suppliers
Seamless collaboration — Engineers and buyers can work together in one platform
Trust Scores & Ratings — Quickly evaluate suppliers based on real performance
All Manufacturing Verticals — If it’s made in the U.S., it’s on NORAMARK
Instead of spending 4+ hours per request searching, calling, and vetting suppliers, NORAMARK helps you connect with the right partner instantly. Save time, reduce costs, and ensure quality sourcing — all while keeping manufacturing strong in America.
The Bottom Line
For large and small manufacturers, inefficient sourcing scales into millions of dollars lost. For small shops, every hour spent looking for a bolt or outsourcing work means time off the shop floor. The real cost of sourcing isn’t just dollars — it’s productivity, speed, and reputation.Let's go!
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