Boutique Design - May/June 2011 - 60

P u r c h a s i n g

s t r at e g i e s

The Parker Co. sourced the CRUSH teen club at Atlantis, Paradise Island, the Bahamas.

takes several bids for them to understand our type of pricing,” says Langmade. And the products needed are expanding, as hotels become more complex. “Technology is a new category that we need to source,” says Hans Galutera, co-founder and principal, BG Studio International Inc., including digital art and interactive media. Using first-timer hospitality vendors can make for interesting design, but it also poses questions on the purchasing side. “We have always been extremely cautious in dealing with any vendor, even longestablished ones,” says The Parker Co.’s Hein. “Because it’s so easy now to create a web site, we’re more careful than ever when dealing with new sources.” The bottom line: A nice-looking web site doesn’t necessarily translate into a reputable source, says Hein. “Due diligence and pre-qualifying vendors before they’re given an opportunity to quote on a project is something we take very seriously. This is true for both domestic and international sources.” She also suggests allowing time and

budget to create two model rooms rather than just one. “This gives us a chance to show quality differences of the vendors involved. It’s very common, after the first review, to do a second review with ‘tweaks’ the designer suggests after seeing their design come to life,” Hein says.

They also bring a broad range of possibilities. “We have packaged up multiple projects to increase production quantities to bring down the total cost to the client,” says Robert Unger, director of procurement at Baltimore-based Becwood Purchasing Inc. The sheer range of contacts extends to companies that operate under the bigbrand radar, creating more opportunities to Professional Help Bringing a high-style look to a hotel means get a bespoke look at off-the-rack pricing. The Parker Co. developed LLinx, a smart negotiating. For that, more and more design firms are working with purchasing proprietary online purchasing system companies who have not only the systems for budgeting, purchasing and creation but also the buying power to get the best of status reports. “Clients have access to their project information and can see, in deals and best terms. It’s not just the 10 percent (or more) real time, everything we’re doing,” says industry discount that makes collabora- Hein. “Once they approve purchase orders tion with a purchasing company attractive. online, the orders are transmitted electron“Purchasing specialists provide the owners ically to the vendors. The status reports with a realistic idea of what things will cost are an important tool not only to our as well as overseeing the production and purchasing staff but to our clients in coorinstallation time frames, etc.,” Denney dinating installation schedules.” Despite the economic recovery, price says. “I have learned over the years that a good purchasing agent can be a huge asset increases seem set to stay minor across to having a successful project that finishes most categories. That’s good news no matter where firms are finding their products. BD on time and in budget.”

Boutique Design | May+June 2011

Boutique Design - May/June 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - May/June 2011