We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jeff Buster. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jeff below.
Hi Jeff, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
As both a previous Corporate America participant and a small business owner since 2015 I have been on both sides of this conversation. I can say that before I point out the things that “corporate” companies do wrong I will say than after owning my own company, and going through many trials, I now understand many of the reasons “corporate” does what they do.
That being said I think that one of the biggest mistakes larger companies make these days simply comes down to the “Golden Rule” treat others as you want to be treated. This is obviously not rocket science here, but the more technology driven our companies become, the less interaction representatives have with customers, the more transactional everything becomes and services goes right out the door!
This is bad for the consumer and the company. People are treated just as a number, it is hard to get assistance when needed, and no one really cares. This is where we win. Other larger companies drop the ball, we pick it up and the customer gets to see what it looks like for a company to be knowledgeable, service oriented, and personable. That’s what I want from my vendors so that is what we try to provide!
Ask Jeff Bezos or the CEO of Grainger to come troubleshoot your production line with your team and see what you get…LOL. But we are there to help and I will certainly come out to discuss what is going on and help come up with a solution!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well for those that aren’t familiar I am a father, husband, musician, artis, fabricator, and business owner. Not necessarily in that order. I spent a LOT of my youth playing in bands, touring, and having fun. Then I ended up working in a parts store, one thing led to another and 20+ years later here I am.
It did take a lot of long nights and early mornings to get where I am. Though most people have no idea industrial MRO Supply is very intricate and detail oriented. It takes a LOT to be proficient and even more to operate a business while competing in such a large arena!
We compete against some of the largest companies in the world which make the “WIN” elusive at times. We do, however, bring a lot of personal touches to the field that our competitors do not and simply don’t care to offer. Some of those include “VMI” vendor managed inventory, consultation, custom fabrication, custom stock programs, consignment, vending, and a personal account representative, as well as online shopping. Really whatever is needed to help the customer we are willing to consider.
I am most proud of my team, our values, and the way we go to market. Many times, we will be asked to come in and “fix” a facility that has been neglected by one of the “BIG GUYS”. So, we come in and clean the place up over time. Eventually there is a nice, organized way to get to all the supplies, and understand what needs to be ordered in advance. On occasion, after all that work, and sometimes years of service, someone will decide “they can get stuff cheaper” and we part ways. Once this happens, they may run with a different vendor for a year, two… Then one day we get the call, “Can you guys please come back?” Cheaper is not always better! I mean you can eat Ramen everyday (I have in the past) LOL… But that will just make you sick. It all comes down to VALUE! Our VALUE proposition is best in class. PERIOD. Don’t believe me? Try us and find out!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One story I can share about having to “pivot” is 2020. What a year! We went from regular business one day to ONLY PPE, hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, disinfectants, etc… The next day. That was an extremely fast paced transition that we weren’t prepared for. I am not sure anyone was.
Since we are still small enough, we were able to negotiate some deals, shift allocations, and supply a lot of what was being asked for. We even opened to the public and delivered supplies to people’s homes during the “toilet paper wars”.
It was certainly not about money, but about taking care of people and doing what we thought was right. I am glad we were able to help! And in the long run we stayed open the entire time aside from one week.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for us has always been referrals, and people changing jobs and taking us with them.
Once again, this all goes back to treating people right, providing excellent service, expertise, consultation, quality products and the best overall value. Not just the cheapest price.
People see this and like it. They get used to it and get excited when we walk in the door. They know we are there to help make their lives easier and more efficient.
Why wouldn’t you want to take us with you to your next job?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bustersindustrial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bustersindustrialproducts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bustersindustrial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80379094/admin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbMEl5nImcV2dg0KsTSbwA
Image Credits
Metabo HPT, Fronius, Buster’s Industrial