Military Equipment and Supplies
Consider the many business angles of military equipment and supplies
Military equipment and supplies are big business. Military suppliers design military items for specific purposes with precise specifications. If your business want to join the list of military equipment suppliers, you'll have to go though a formal application process and provide sample military grade materials.There are markets outside the armed services for military equipment as well. Military surplus vehicles and obsolete military supplies such as safety and survival gear and clothing are valued by security companies, foreign countries and a variety of other businesses. Whether you want to become a military supplier or a seller of military surplus, keep these things in mind.
1. Think beyond weapons, uniforms, and vehicles to include other military supplies, such as food, paint and paper supplies.
2. It's easiest to find large scale military equipment at live and online auctions. Many auction websites have calendars of upcoming sales.
3. Military surplus vehicles are one of the hottest items available. Inventory at auction often goes quickly.
Join the team of military contract suppliers
All companies that are military suppliers or military equipment providers must apply for the privilege. Once your application is accepted, the armed services can purchase your product. Remember that there are strict product and pricing guidelines for suppliers.
Try: JGB Enterprises represents a consortium of military suppliers. You can submit an application to join its database. Another partnership that provides military supplies is Hybricon. Its website also has an application form.
Find a wide array of used military equipment at online auction websites
If you want to stock your business with surplus or used military items, you can find remarkable prices at military auctions. These auctions can be live or online, although most are now conducted over the Internet.
Try: At Government Liquidation you can find a huge array of used and surplus items, including fired brass casings. Olive-Drab offers information and tips about auctions of military vehicles, equipment and weapons.
Find heavy-duty military surplus vehicles and supplies
If you want to resell military surplus vehicles, you can find great buys on a wide array of heavy-duty vehicles. There is a growing market in off-road adventure tours and similar businesses looking for specialized vehicles. Or you might stock replacement parts for trucks and other vehicles. They are readily available from suppliers.
Try: The Military Vehicles Magazine online catalog has a huge inventory of vehicles. You can search by vehicle classification. A good source for key replacement parts is Military Truck Parts, which specializes in engines and transmissions.
- In most cases you won't need specialized tools to work on a military surplus vehicle. Because they are built by standard vehicle makers, you can use the same ones you would use on the same model of private vehicle.
- Look for spare military equipment parts labeled NOS (for "New Old Stock"). These parts are new surplus items not pieces salvaged from an old or damaged vehicle.
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