Timing is everything. Running out of inventory can bring production to a halt, but overstocking ties up valuable warehouse space and capital. So why choose between the two? At Brainard Rivet, our stock and release program is designed to give customers the best of both worlds: the cost savings of purchasing in larger volumes with the flexibility to receive products only when needed.
What Is Stock & Release?
Think of it as buying in bulk without having to store everything yourself. Customers provide an annual forecast or blanket order, and Brainard takes care of the inventory management. We manufacture and stock the agreed-upon quantities, then release shipments on a schedule that works for your operation, whether that’s weekly, monthly, quarterly, or somewhere in between. The result? Your parts are ready when you need them without taking up valuable floor space in your facility.
Why Customers Love It
What are some advantages of the stock and release program? This program gives customers the flexibility, reliability, and cost advantages they need to keep production moving. Key benefits include:
- Improved availability with inventory allocated and ready to ship
- Faster fulfillment without waiting weeks or months for production
- Lower per-piece costs through higher production volumes
- Competitive pricing with deliveries spread over time
- Reduced inventory storage requirements
- Flexible releases that adjust as production demands change
- The ability to quickly respond to unexpected spikes in demand
- Immediate access to inventory already stocked at Brainard
Built Around Your Schedule
No two customers operate the same way, and neither do their inventory requirements. Some customers need weekly shipments, while others only require monthly or quarterly releases. Our sales, customer service, shipping, and manufacturing teams work together to monitor forecasts, review customer portals and communications, and adjust release schedules as needs change. Safety stock levels are continually managed to help ensure product availability while adapting to changing demand. General Manager Leslie Phillips shares, “Our team reads and responds to every email and adjusts requirements daily. This requires extraordinary attention to detail, as every customer is unique. Some customers may only have one or two products on this program. Others have dozens. Every customer and every product requires the same attention to detail. And they all matter to Brainard Rivet.” It’s a hands-on approach that requires constant communication and attention to detail, but that’s exactly what our customers count on.
More Than a Blanket Order
While many companies offer blanket ordering programs, Brainard’s stock and release program goes a step further by actively managing inventory on behalf of our customers. Andrew Marshall, Sales Manager, explains, “What makes stock and release different is that we at Brainard Rivet manage the inventory. The customer will send in yearly projections/forecasts, and it is on us to make sure their inventory is stocked when the parts are needed.” That means our team isn’t simply waiting for an order to come in. We’re proactively monitoring requirements, maintaining stock levels, and making adjustments so products are available when needed. Whether a customer has one part in the program or dozens, every release receives the same level of care and attention.
A Smarter Way to Stay Ahead
For manufacturers with consistent annual usage, stock and release can reduce costs, improve availability, simplify inventory management, and provide peace of mind knowing critical parts are ready when production calls. We believe strong partnerships go beyond manufacturing quality fasteners. We help customers plan ahead, respond to changing demand, and keep their operations moving. If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to inventory management, our stock and release program may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Give us a call to discuss in more detail. We’d love to hear from you!