The 'pressures' of competition

Today I received an email from a supplier whom we have recently ceased to do business with.  The gentlement whom purports to be the CEO of this organisation was surprised that we had chosen to take our business elsewhere.

 

In supply relationships Gilkatho aims to be an excellent client in order to gain strategic advantage by having better supply terms, faster delivery and earlier access to new products.  We expect and often receive informaiton from suppliers before it is generally available in the market.  This allows us to plan our business better.

 

In the case of this distressed supplier today he assured me that many issues had been fixed in their organisation and their performance would be better in the future.  He did apolgise for the lack of communication in the last 18 months.  "18 months!!!"  That last comment simply served to reinforce our business decision from February.  That is how long it took us to move after deciding that we had a problem with this supplier's arrangements.  At anytime they could have responded to the issues with price, delivery times etc etc.  Instead they held out until we had made our move to a new supplier.

 

18 months...wonder if they have heard of the modern competitive environment?