Industrial procurement problem solver
Pick the problem you have now. Each one has a short answer, the warning signs, a free tool that works without sign-up and an in-depth guide. When you are ready, our project team turns your inputs into a structured RFQ, contacts suitable suppliers on your behalf and returns a like-for-like comparison — free for buyers, supplier-neutral, typically for projects from USD 250,000.
Start a free reviewed RFQStart from your problem
Is this supplier reliable?
Score the evidence you hold (references, financials, acceptance criteria, payment security) before any payment.
Why is my project going over budget?
Most overruns come from scope left out of the quote and costs below the equipment price. Build a landed-cost and contingency view up front.
How do I write a machinery RFQ?
State the outcome (capacity, product, site, utilities, standards, acceptance tests) and force one answer format.
How do I compare bids apples-to-apples?
Normalise every bid to one currency (stated FX date), one delivery basis and one scope, then score weighted criteria.
What do Incoterms, TCO and financing really cost?
Compare total cost of ownership over the same period, including financing and the cost of a longer lead time.
How do I plan commissioning and acceptance tests?
Agree measurable FAT and SAT criteria in the contract and tie the last payment to them.
My project spans several sectors — where do I start?
Define the product, capacity and country first; a short needs check proposes a route before anything is sent.
Can this project be financed?
Run illustrative repayment scenarios with your own rate and term. Results are estimates in the currency you enter, not a lender offer or approval.
Browse by question type
Why is it failing?
How do I improve it?
What does it cost and how do I compare?
Learn from past market shocks
Three documented episodes with their primary sources show why input prices, freight and energy belong in every project plan.
2007–2008 and 2021–2022
Food commodity price spikes
Read the case study2020–2022
Container freight disruption
Read the case study2021–2023
European energy price shock
Read the case study
Problems, answers and the tool to use
| Problem | Warning signs | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Is this supplier reliable? | No plant references, vague company details, pressure for a large advance. | Score the evidence you hold (references, financials, acceptance criteria, payment security) before any payment. |
| Why is my project going over budget? | Change orders, freight/duty surprises, installation not quoted, delays. | Most overruns come from scope left out of the quote and costs below the equipment price. Build a landed-cost and contingency view up front. |
| How do I write a machinery RFQ? | Suppliers answer different questions; quotes can't be compared. | State the outcome (capacity, product, site, utilities, standards, acceptance tests) and force one answer format. |
| How do I compare bids apples-to-apples? | Different currencies, Incoterms, warranties and exclusions. | Normalise every bid to one currency (stated FX date), one delivery basis and one scope, then score weighted criteria. |
| What do Incoterms, TCO and financing really cost? | EXW looks cheapest until freight, duty, install and interest are added. | Compare total cost of ownership over the same period, including financing and the cost of a longer lead time. |
| How do I plan commissioning and acceptance tests? | Line delivered but never reaches rated output; disputes over final payment. | Agree measurable FAT and SAT criteria in the contract and tie the last payment to them. |
| My project spans several sectors — where do I start? | Packaging, cold storage and processing needs mixed in one plan; unclear which team or platform owns it. | Define the product, capacity and country first; a short needs check proposes a route before anything is sent. |
| Can this project be financed? | Unclear repayment burden, down-payment size or whether cash flow covers the debt. | Run illustrative repayment scenarios with your own rate and term. Results are estimates in the currency you enter, not a lender offer or approval. |
The buyer path these tools follow
Every tool shows its formula. Results are planning estimates, not quotations, certifications or professional engineering advice.
- 1. Define the outcome — project planner (capacity, site, standards, unknowns).
- 2. Write the RFQ — readiness builder shows what suppliers will ask for.
- 3. Normalise bids — landed cost, TCO and weighted scorecard.
- 4. Check the supplier — reliability evidence score.
- 5. Plan delivery — procurement Gantt with FAT/SAT gates.
Is your project in a specialist sector?
Sector projects go to the matching Global B2B Group platform. Packaging lines, custom machinery and cross-sector projects stay with our team.
- ColdMatch Group
Commercial cold storage, industrial refrigeration and cold-chain infrastructure.
- FishMatch Group
Fish farming, shrimp farming and aquaculture infrastructure (RAS, ponds, cages, aquatic hatcheries).
- HatchMatch Group
Poultry farms, poultry hatcheries and poultry-production infrastructure.
- SeedMatch Group
Commercial greenhouses, irrigation, protected agriculture and seed procurement.
- FeedMatch Group
Animal feed, ingredients, premixes, additives and feed-processing equipment.
Questions buyers ask
Are the tools free and anonymous?
Yes. They run in your browser without an account. Nothing is sent unless you choose to start an RFQ.
Do you rank or endorse suppliers?
No. We do not label suppliers as vetted. We organise comparable evidence so you can decide.
Where do the formulas come from?
Standard arithmetic (annuity interest, CIF-style customs value, weighted scoring). Each tool page states its formula and assumptions.
Next step
Describe the project in the RFQ builder. Our project team reviews it, contacts suppliers on your behalf and returns a comparison. Free for buyers; typically for projects from USD 250,000.