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How your Buying Habits can buy you Margin

win win win
August 1, 2025 by
How your Buying Habits can buy you Margin
kevin@marginmarksman.com

If you've ever asked a vendor, "How much 32-0-0 did I buy last year?", you’re already sitting on a $30–$60/ton opportunity. That question isn’t just about tracking purchases — it signals a chance to create margin, build stronger supplier relationships, and negotiate smarter.

As someone who actually uses the product, you’re not just another customer — you’re a forecaster. You have a clear idea of how much you’ll need and when. That certainty isn’t just valuable for your own operation — it’s gold to manufacturers and distributors constantly battling the ripple effects of erratic demand.

Most manufacturing plants are like dairy cows — they work best when they’re always producing. Downtime hurts efficiency. When you lock in purchases ahead of time, you help smooth that cycle, and in return, there’s real pricing power on the table.

Where the Win-Win-Win Comes In

By aligning your purchasing strategy with supplier needs:

  • You win with more competitive input costs
  • Suppliers win with upfront commitments and smoother logistics
  • Manufacturers win by keeping their machines running during demand lulls

These aren’t theoretical benefits.  I have participated in saving $40/ton on 7,500 tons of fertilizer — north of $300,000 — simply by forecasting usage and building a shared-savings offer with me.

Sure, markets will surprise us. But disciplined planning, diversified strategies, and relationship-based procurement beat gut-feel buying every time.

Want to Build Your Own Strategy?

I work alongside ag operators to structure offers that generate savings, reduce supplier uncertainty, and keep everyone — from the field to the factory — operating at their best.

If you're ready to turn purchasing data into real margin, I’m here to help.