Addis Chamber

Supply refers to the different types of input you need from others for production.

Equipment is all the machinery, tools, workshop fittings and office furniture that your business needs. Old equipment needs to be replaced. You should check regularly to see how well your equipment works - if it still produces as much as it used to and if it still produces the quality you need.

What kind of equipment do I need?
How much will the equipment cost?
Can my business afford to buy the equipment?
Can I buy the equipment second hand?
Will the increase in profit after I buy the equipment be high enough to pay for the cost of the equipment?
How much more work does my business get now and in the future?
How big must the equipment be to do the work I expect (capacity)?
May be you do not need to buy equipment of your own. In that case find out if you can:
- borrow or rent equipment only when you need it;
- outsource to another business that has the equipment to do the work for you.
Is there another new kind of equipment better than existing ones?
Which equipment is the cheapest to run and easiest to operate?
Do I need special training to use the equipment? Can I get it? Is the fee affordable?
How long will the equipment last?
Does the supplier give a written guarantee?
Will the supplier install the equipment and service it?
Can I have it serviced locally?
Are the spare parts available locally? Is the cost affordable?

Raw materials are all the materials and parts that go into the products you make.
Example: Wood and varnish for making furniture.

You have to know what type of furniture you need before the start of the business.
Some of them include:

Try to use materials that are always available when you need them
Buy materials from reliable suppliers and make sure the quality is good
Before you buy raw materials, find out:
- what different materials you need;
- what quality your customers need;
- how responsible is the supplier for the quality of goods or materials;
- how much raw material you need;
- how often you need the raw materials;
- how long it takes to secure raw material from the supplier;
- affordability of the purchase price.
Does the supplier grant discounts for bulk purchasing?
What is the smallest amount that can be purchased?
Is it possible to make credit purchases? How much can be obtained?
Terms of delivery: Will the supplier deliver to your business? Do you pay for transport or is the delivery free?
Does the supplier accept returned goods or materials?

Get information about different suppliers and compare them based
on the following offers:

Find out what your business needs;
Buy only equipment which is really necessary for your business;
Get information about different suppliers;
Contact and choose the best suppliers for your business;
Place the order;
Check the goods immediately;
Check the invoice;
Pay.