Upon the completion of a metal stamping project, many manufacturers and professionals in the industry often find themselves with surplus materials and products that may not seamlessly transition to their next undertaking. Rather than resorting to indefinite storage or contributing to the waste stream by discarding these excess materials, opting to sell them emerges as a pragmatic solution.
However, navigating outlets tailored to the metal stamping and manufacturing trades proves to be a challenge. A targeted, well-organized, and easily navigable platform specific to these industries is often lacking. Even popular platforms like CraigsList.com, despite their widespread use, offer only three broad categories—materials, appliances, and tools. The Facebook marketplace, while a potential resource, comes with its own set of challenges, including scams and stubborn pricing dynamics, making it a tricky space for sellers to navigate with the presence of flakers, fakers, and scammers.
Recognizing this gap in the market, Ford Scully established 888Surplus.com, a revolutionary classifieds site designed exclusively for the metal stamping and manufacturing sectors. This platform facilitates professionals in buying, trading, or selling surplus metal stamping materials, machinery, and tools. Launched officially in October 2016, 888Surplus aims to provide a targeted, organized, and user-friendly solution tailored to the unique needs of metal stamping manufacturers.
Scully emphasizes the significant issue of excess materials within the metal stamping industry and the environmental impact. He states, “We thought we could help economically and environmentally.” The distinctive aspect of 888Surplus lies in its broad coverage across the entire United States, differentiating it from locally oriented platforms like CraigsList. As the platform expands its reach nationally, future plans include extending its services to other countries, creating an international avenue for selling and purchasing excess materials specific to metal stamping and manufacturing.
Presently, 888Surplus boasts a user base of 2000 individuals nationwide within the metal stamping and manufacturing sectors, a number that continues to grow as word spreads about the platform. Looking ahead, developers envision incorporating a Wiki-style community-based reference feature. This addition will empower users to share their experiences working with buyers or sellers on 888Surplus, fostering a collaborative and transparent environment within the metal stamping and manufacturing community.