FAQs

The level of savings will vary from category to category. Results from previous tenders show savings ranging from 10% to 55%. Our rigorous tender process ensures we achieve the most commercially competitive rates available. The prices we negotiate from suppliers are based on the buying group’s combined volume, so each member benefits from better pricing than they could achieve individually. As the buying group grows we will re-tender with suppliers, using the increased buying group volume as leverage to get even better prices.

Yes. It is free to join the buying group and to purchase using a buying group contract. We negotiate a small rebate from contracted suppliers to cover our costs for running the tenders and managing the buying group, and we pass on all the rest of the benefits to members.

The only obligations are not to undermine the ability of the buying group to provide benefits to all members and not to disclose pricing and commercial arrangements to third parties. These obligations are detailed in the T&Cs on the member sign up page. There is no obligation to use our suppliers, and no “lock in”. If you like the prices we have been able to negotiate, then you purchase through the buying group as normal. If you don’t want to purchase from our recommended supplier, you don’t have to. You’re free to ‘mix and match’ in any way too, meaning you can use the buying group suppliers for some items and your own pre-existing suppliers for others.

Payment terms are 30 days end of month. To access this, we ask members to fill out a credit application form. There’s only one form, and it will be valid against all the suppliers and services we offer. Additionally we also accept payment via credit card at the time of purchase.

At the moment we predominantly service Victoria and NSW for steel and aluminium. Delivery charges may vary depending on your location. Consumables and PPE are limited to the eastern states, but available in all areas. Metro areas will have free delivery. Cleaning and Waste Management are currently only on offer in Melbourne and Sydney metro areas.

We evaluate potential suppliers both on price and on service capabilities. There’s obviously no point getting ‘good’ prices if the goods are substandard or the supplier is unreliable or difficult to work with. We’re manufacturing industry experts and consider quality and service as well as prices when selecting a preferred supplier. However, each member has needs that are specific and unique, so it is finally up to you to check that the goods or services supplied are suit your needs

You only need to change suppliers if you want to take advantage of the rates that we have negotiated. There's no obligation to use the preferred supplier. If you do use the preferred supplier, you are free to 'mix and match' as you please with your current suppliers. One of the advantages of working with our buying group is access to leading suppliers that small and medium sized manufacturers sometimes can’t access. We are also available to support you with the transition to a new supplier if needed.

We talk to all members to identify their needs in specific categories, and then tailor a tender accordingly. The combined buying power of our group creates significant competition for our business, resulting in competitive pricing from capable suppliers. We run multiple rounds of negotiations to ensure we get the best possible prices. It’s time consuming, but it’s worth it. We often find that by the time we have completed the third round of tenders we have doubled or tripled the size of the savings we’re making for the group.
Importantly, we evaluate suppliers on quality and service as well as price and make our selection based on the full combination of quality, service and price.

Sometimes it is easier to buy online, and sometimes you want to speak to the supplier first with questions. All options are available for you.
For standard items like steel and aluminium, you can order online through Fulcrum website, just like any online store. If you have any questions, you can always call or email us with questions and then send your purchase order direct to us.
For more complex goods and services (such as consumables where the range is in the hundreds of thousands, or cleaning where the supplier would need to come and visit your site), we will connect you with the supplier and you can place your orders directly with them, taking advantage of the discounted Fulcrum member rates.

For goods bought directly through the platform or where you email a purchase order to us, you pay Fulcrum. For goods that you buy direct from the supplier, or services arrangements that you set up directly with the supplier, you pay the supplier.

We’re continually expanding the categories that we cover. To register your interest for potential new categories or to suggest a tender you’d like us to run, drop us a line using the form on the Contact Us page. This will help us understand your specific needs so that we can tailor our future tenders to your requirements. Keep an eye on our blog or join our mailing list to stay up to date on category developments. Alternatively, call us to discuss your specific needs.

Yes. We offer the full range of strategy and operations consulting options tailored to manufacturing: Strategy, market entry planning, operations improvement and cost transformation to name a few. For larger categories we can take charge a run and end to end tender process for you. We’ve spent 30+ years in manufacturing and consulting to manufacturers. Give us a call and we’d be happy to discuss how we can help.