In today’s global market, more businesses are looking to source their products from international suppliers. However, it might be surprising just how many Australian businesses are choosing to use local Australian suppliers instead.
This guide will help you understand:
- What a local supplier is
- The benefits of using a local supplier
- How to find local suppliers in Australia
- Types of suppliers in Australia
What is a local supplier?
A local supplier is a manufacturer or distributor who can supply you with your products or raw materials close to where your business is. For many Australian businesses, local suppliers can help with branding allowing their businesses to stand out from other brands who use international suppliers. From sourcing materials, working closely with the manufacturers and shipping your products to customers, local suppliers have an incredibly important role within your business.
If you would like more information about the types of suppliers you can source from, check out our other article about finding quality suppliers.
Benefits of using a local supplier
Having the right supplier is crucial for your success as a business. There are a number of benefits and advantages from choosing to source your products locally, that will provide your business with high-quality products.
- Reliability – Sourcing locally means that you can have direct oversight of the supplier process. You will be able to visit the place where your products are being made and shipped from, meaning that you have more control over the development and quality. You can also have face-to-face conversations with your suppliers allowing for easy and fast communication.
- Marketing and brand appeal – One of the biggest benefits of using a local supplier is that you can attract customers with it. People in today’s society are more aware of the advantages of sourcing from within a local community and you can use this to make your business more successful.
- Faster shipping time – Convenience is a big thing customers look for when purchasing products, and using a local supplier means that your product will be shipped quickly and efficiently.
- Support for the local culture – Australia has an incredibly interesting history that is preserved when you use a local supplier. Customers knowing that everything your company does is local is a huge benefit to you and the community.
- Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable – Sourcing locally will reduce your company’s carbon footprint and fuel emissions as it doesn’t take as much fuel to transport goods across the state as it does from a different country.
How to find local suppliers in Australia
For many Australian brands, finding local suppliers that have a reasonable price and good quality offering can be difficult. There are a number of ways to find local manufacturers in California and surrounding regions including:
- Trade Shows – Trade shows are a great way to find local suppliers. You’ll be able to talk to them face-to-face, get information directly and compare suppliers in person. There are a number of different trade shows in Australia that cater to all of the ddifferent types of businesses.
- Online Forums/Facebook groups – A quick search online and on facebook allows you to see people and groups looking for suppliers in Australia. They are a good way to get feedback from people and companies who have used a supplier you are interested in.
- From other businesses – Talk to businesses in the same area that sell similar products as they will be able to give feedback based on their personal experiences and an insight into suppliers you might use.
- Journals and Magazines – There are a number of different magazines and journals based in Australia that will have a list of potential suppliers that you can use.
Types of suppliers in Australia
Depending on what industry you are in, there are plenty of different types of suppliers in Australia. Dropshipping and wholesale suppliers have become very popular within Australia as people are looking for cheaper ways to ship products within Australia and overseas.
Consumers within Australia also want to be able to trace the source of their products meaning that brands who use Australian suppliers have an advantage over their competition. There has been a big push for companies to become more transparent and local with their production services to try and stop these costs and impacts on the environment.
If you would like more information about the different regions in Australia for suppliers, check out our page about manufacturing in Australia.
The best thing you can do when choosing a supplier is make sure they understand your brand and values. You should aim to develop a good partnership and rapport with them so you stay in business with them long turn. Companies will even use a Supplier Relationship Management Solution to ensure the communication with their suppliers are in all in the same place.
