subject: Api Steel And The Steel Supplier [print this page] Although API steel suppliers can be found all over the world, there are some serious questions you need to answer before you choose a supplier. The American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies many products in addition to just pipe. They have certifications for offshore products, steel plate, rolled shapes, mooring chain and much more. It"s important to consider a steel suppliers capabilities before committing to an order .
Multiple Product Suppliers
If your part of a project is strictly API pipe, there are a multitude of steel suppliers in the market place all over the world for that product. On the other hand if you are heading up a project that will entail multiple facets of an offshore drilling rig, it makes sense to find a supplier who can provide you with all the API steel you will need for all phases of the project. If pricing is competitive, having one vendor to work with and co-ordinate with is much simpler than multiple vendors. It save you time, reduces headaches from miscommunications and in most cases saves you time and money on delivering the product to the site.
Full Service Providers
Many times a big advantage both time and cost wise can be had by using a full service provider. These providers can not only get you all the different products you need for a major project, they generally have in-house engineers to assist you in avoiding pitfalls of certain product, have the expertise and understanding of the product certifications that you need and can co-ordinate the logistics of getting multiple products from numerous suppliers in the world delivered to you at the most effect cost.
Making the Choice
If you"re reading this, you are obviously already searching the internet to help you find solutions. Chances are, you have been given recommendations from others in your industry about providers they have used. If you can obtain contact information from end users it is always beneficial to talk to the customer to see their take on the product and services they were provided.
Last, but not least, interviewing several steel suppliers with the same set of questions for each is a good way to get insight on how they handle their business and give you a higher level of confidence on your final choice.
