Supply Chain Challenges in Plumbing: Domestic Manufacturing Keeps Your Inventory Flowing
Delays happen in the construction world – but inventory delays shouldn’t be one of them.
As a distributor, you know that every out-of-stock notice is a lost sale and a missed opportunity. When plumbers and contractors walk through your doors, they expect you to have the brass PEX fittings they need – and fast.
Here’s the good news: you can de-risk your inventory and future-proof your supply chain by sourcing from a reliable, American manufacturer. At Water Armor, we’ve built a vertically integrated, U.S.-based supply chain that’s faster, more consistent, and more ethical than anything you’ll get overseas.
Let’s break down why Water Armor is the smart choice for wholesale plumbing distributors – and how we help keep your shelves stocked and your customers happy.
1. Overseas Supply Chains Are a Gamble – Water Armor Is a Sure Bet
Let’s face it: Global supply chains are fragile. We’ve all seen it – port congestion, dock strikes, rising freight costs, customs delays, tariffs, duties, and inconsistent product quality – all of which leave you wondering when (or if) your next shipment will arrive. No products mean no sales for a distributor, and delays for plumbers on construction and installation.
With Water Armor’s American-made PEX fittings, you don’t have to guess. We manufacture our brass fittings right here in the USA. This allows us to ensure our parts arrive on time and meet important standards, like NSF 61 and ASTM F1807. This ensures:
No international shipping delays – Your inventory doesn’t get stuck on a boat.
Faster restocking times – Orders are processed within 24 hours, letting you get your parts in days, not
weeks or months.
Reliable, high-quality products – No guessing if the next shipment will meet specifications and regulations. All Water Armor fittings meet NSF 61, NSF 14, NSF 372, and ASTM F1807 or F1960.
Using an overseas suppliers can cause:
- Unpredictable shipping schedules
- High freight costs that eat into margins
- The risk of receiving non-compliant fittings
- Limited control over inventory flow
- Tariff volatility and uncertainty
With Water Armor, you get reliability built into every order – because when you need fittings, you need them now.
2. Lead Times Matter – And We Deliver Fast
Time is money, and waiting weeks (or months) for a shipment of brass PEX fittings can throw everything off balance. Imported products are at the mercy of international logistics, but our domestic production means your orders arrive faster – no ocean freight, no customs clearance, no international headaches.
Water Armor’s 24-hour order processing and our centralized location in Ohio ensure that fittings and crimp rings arrive in the same week they are ordered, not months afterward. With an average on time delivery (OTD) of over 99%, you can rest easy knowing your fittings will arrive in plenty of time.
American-made = Shorter lead times, fewer delays
Water Armor’s foundry-to-forging process ensures steady production
Faster fulfillment, direct from our 100,000 square foot facility in Ohio
We own our supply chain. We don’t wait on third-party manufacturers overseas – we produce fittings on our schedule, not someone else’s.
3. Consistency You Can Count On
When you’re sourcing overseas, you’re rolling the dice on quality. Imported PEX fittings often come from multiple factories with varying manufacturing standards, meaning inconsistencies from batch to batch.
That’s not how we do things. At Water Armor, we manufacture our fittings from ECO BRASS®, a lead-free, bismuth-free, arsenic free, and dezincification-resistant alloy built to exceed industry standards. All of our fittings meet crucial industry standards, including NSF 61, the Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA), and ATSM F1807 and F1960, which regulate all PEX fittings that are installed in the United States.
Every fitting meets strict ASTM F1807 and F 1960, and NSF standards
High-quality, consistent production every time
American craftsmanship = no surprises in performance
With imported fittings, you might get a great batch today and a subpar one tomorrow. With Water Armor, you get the same high-quality fitting, every time.
4. No More “Out of Stock” Signs
Your customers don’t care about supply chain excuses. When they need PEX fittings, they expect you to have them. Not having the fittings contractors need results in wasted time and money for them, and a lost sale for you. This creates a lose-lose scenario for all parties involved.
Water Armor will make sure you have the stock your contractors and plumbers need today.
Water Armor’s U.S.-based manufacturing means stable inventory
Reliable supply chains prevent last-minute shortages
You get first priority on reorders – no waiting in line behind international buyers
Overseas suppliers can’t promise that. When global demand surges, you’re left competing with the rest of the world for stock. With Water Armor, your orders get priority – because we value our U.S. distributors.
5. American-Made = Stronger Margins & Less Risk
Stockouts don’t just frustrate customers – they cost you money. Every time a contractor walks out empty-handed, you lose a sale, and worse, you risk losing their future business. With our low free-freight cost of just $550, you can provide your customers with high-quality, American made fittings at a competitive price every time.
Water Armor’s reliable inventory means fewer lost sales
Domestic sourcing reduces supply chain risks
Faster restocking helps you keep up with demand
You work hard to build relationships with your customers. Don’t let unreliable inventory push them toward a competitor.
The Bottom Line: Choose Water Armor, Choose Certainty
Global supply chains are unpredictable. American-made supply chains are dependable.
At Water Armor, we make sure you never have to worry about:
Late shipments
Quality inconsistencies
Freight costs eating your margins
Lost customers due to out-of-stock fittings
Instead, we offer:
Fast, reliable U.S. production
Consistently high-quality fittings made from ECO BRASS®
Shorter lead times and direct customer support
A manufacturer that delivers – on time, every time
Keep your shelves stocked. Keep your customers happy. Keep your supply chain strong.
Contact us today to lock in your inventory and partner with the most reliable brass PEX fittings manufacturer in the U.S.