Ak-West Inc. Learning Center

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Learning Center

Who We Are

Company Overview:

  • 100% Canadian Owned: Proudly Canadian, with distribution networks spanning across Canada and the United States.
  • Manufacturer and Wholesaler: We specialize in a wide range of durable, high-quality products including:
    • Reusable plastic shipping containers
    • Plastic parts bins
    • Plastic pallets
    • Wheeled carts
    • Bulk storage and shipping containers
    • Shelving
    • Cabinets

Strategic Warehousing:

  • Canadian Warehouses: We have two strategically located stocking warehouses in:
    • Calgary, Alberta
    • Mississauga, Ontario

Shipping Options:

  • Direct Ship Options: We offer various direct shipping options from production facilities throughout Canada and the United States.

Industry Support:

  • Wide Range of Industries: Our products support a diverse array of industries, including:
    • Industrial Manufacturing
    • Agriculture
    • Food and Beverage Sectors
    • Automotive
    • Retail
    • Healthcare
    • Janitorial
    • Distribution
    • Hotel Services
    • Schools
    • Institutional

Exclusive Product Line:

  • Unique Offerings: We offer an exclusive line of products that are only available through Ak-West Inc.
  • Distributor Partnerships: Actively work with our distributor partners across Canada and the United States to ensure the best service and product availability.

Sales Support:

  • Online Distributor Tools: Access our exclusive online tools designed to support our distributors.
  • Market-Based Costing: Benefit from our market-based costing strategies to stay competitive.
  • Customer Service: Our knowledgeable customer service team is always ready to assist.
  • Joint Marketing Campaigns: Participate in joint marketing campaigns to boost visibility and sales.
  • Website Training Resources: Utilize our comprehensive website training resources for better product understanding and sales techniques.
  • Regional Account Support: Receive dedicated support from our regional account managers to address your specific needs.

Resource Center

Ak-West Resource Center:

The Ak-West Resource Center provides access to a wealth of materials including product videos, literature, case studies, how-to videos, and more. Exclusive resources are accessible with your distributor account.

How-To Videos:

  • Public Access: Various how-to videos available to the public.
  • Exclusive Content: Additional exclusive videos available when logged into your account.

Product Literature:

  • Categorized Information: Product literature is organized under specific product categories.
  • Educational Resources: Designed to help you learn about products and industries.
  • Spec Sheets and More: Access product spec sheets, suggested call questions to help qualify opportunities, and product comparison documents.

Product Videos:

  • Organized Content: Product videos are categorized under specific product categories.
  • Educational and Practical: Watch videos to learn about our products and see use case examples.

Distributor Literature:

  • Customizable Catalogues: Create personalized distributor catalogues, sell sheets, and other resources.
  • Branding: Add your logo and contact information to customize materials.
  • Usage: Ideal for marketing, sales meetings, or providing directly to your customers.

 

Distributor Resources:

  • Exclusive How-To Videos: Access a library of exclusive how-to videos.
  • Documents and Tools: Download exclusive documents and tools designed to help you learn and increase your sales.

Inventory Lookup

Product Lookup and Availability

  • Easily search for any model to view its availability and pricing across various warehouses.
  • Access detailed information on specials and clearance inventory to find the best deals.

Shipping Specifications

  • View comprehensive shipping specifications in both imperial and metric units for products, cartons, and pallets.
  • Ensure accurate logistics planning with detailed shipping data.

Order Management

  • Check minimum order requirements to streamline your purchasing process.
  • View carton quantities for efficient inventory management.

Advanced Filtering Options

  • Filter search results to display inventory available in specific warehouses.
  • Narrow down your search to include only clearance items or special offers.

Export and Documentation

  • Export your search results to a PDF for a printable version, making it easy to share and review offline.
 

Hot Tips and Tricks:

  • Partial Model Numbers: Entering partial model numbers (e.g., 4845) will display all products containing these sequences, making it easier to find related items.
  • Competitor Model Numbers: Searching for competitor model numbers will bring up related product results, helping you compare and find alternatives quickly

Pricing and Profitability

  • Automatically calculate end user sell prices by adding gross margin or gross profit percentages to your costs.
  • Hide your costs when sharing pricing information to your customer.

Export and Documentation

  • Export your pricing details to a PDF, making it easy to share with your customers while keeping sensitive cost information hidden.

Customizable Inventory Lookup

  • Select or deselect columns of data in the inventory lookup to tailor the information displayed to your needs.

Data Visibility Options

  • Choose to show or hide the following data points:
    • Product Description
    • Colour
    • Calgary, AB Inventory
    • In Transit to Calgary, AB
    • Mississauga, ON Inventory
    • On Order from the Plant
    • Pricing Tags
    • Pricing FOB Calgary, AB
    • Pricing FOB Mississauga, ON
    • Pricing FOB Plant
    • Regular Prices
    • Special/Clearance Prices
    • Product Images
    • Status
    • Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
    • Specifications
    • Add to Product Button

Enhanced User Experience

  • Customize your view to focus on the most relevant data, improving efficiency and decision-making.

Projects Tool

Project Management and List Building

  • Create projects to efficiently build and manage lists of items.
  • Organize your work by creating separate lists for each customer, order, or opportunity.

Tailored Project Customization

  • Customize each project from the Project Menu to suit your specific needs and preferences.
  • Easily manage and update project details to keep everything organized and accessible.
  • Print the project list to submit as order, provide to your customer, or to organize.

Product Lookup and Availability

  • Easily view current availability and pricing across various warehouses for items in your project.
  • Help you organize your shopping carts.
  • Help you organize your individual opportunities for each of your customer’s requirements.
  • Access detailed information on past and current projects.

Shipping Specifications

  • View comprehensive shipping specifications in both imperial and metric units for products, cartons, and pallets.
  • Ensure accurate logistics planning with detailed shipping data.

Order Management

  • Check minimum order requirements to streamline your purchasing process.
  • View carton quantities for efficient inventory management.
 

Pricing and Profitability

  • Automatically calculate end user sell prices by adding gross margin or gross profit percentages to your costs.
  • Hide your costs when sharing pricing information to your customer.

Export and Documentation

  • Export your pricing details to a PDF, making it easy to share with your customers while keeping sensitive cost information hidden.

Customizable Project Lookup

  • Select or deselect columns of data in the inventory lookup to tailor the information displayed to your needs.

Data Visibility Options

  • Choose to show or hide the following data points:
    • Product Description
    • Colour
    • Calgary, AB Inventory
    • In Transit to Calgary, AB
    • Mississauga, ON Inventory
    • On Order from the Plant
    • Pricing Tags
    • Pricing FOB Calgary, AB
    • Pricing FOB Mississauga, ON
    • Pricing FOB Plant
    • Regular Prices
    • Special/Clearance Prices
    • Product Images
    • Status
    • Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
    • Specifications
    • Add to Product Button

Online Ordering

Online Ordering

Experience a seamless and efficient way to submit orders tailored to your exact needs:

  1. Easy Order Submission: Quickly and easily submit orders for the products you require, ensuring you get exactly what you need without any hassle.

  2. Real-Time Inventory: View current inventory levels in both our Calgary, AB, and Mississauga, ON warehouses. Stay informed about product availability to make timely decisions.

  3. Warehouse Selection: Choose the warehouse you prefer for shipping—whether it’s our Calgary, AB warehouse, our Mississauga, ON warehouse, or directly from the plant (when available). This flexibility ensures you get your products from the most convenient location.

  4. Detailed Shipping Specifications: Access comprehensive shipping specifications, including product, carton, and pallet dimensions, weights, and quantities in both imperial and metric units. This information helps you plan and manage your logistics more effectively.

Billing and Shipping Information

Ensure your order is processed smoothly with accurate billing and shipping details:

  1. Contact Information: Add your contact information to keep communication clear and efficient.

  2. Billing Information: Provide your billing details to ensure accurate invoicing and payment processing.

  3. Shipping Information: Enter your shipping information to guarantee your order is delivered to the correct location.

  4. Drop Shipping Options: Include optional drop shipping information to have products shipped directly to your customers. You can also submit your own packing slips and paperwork to maintain your branding and customer experience.

Multiple Shipping Options

Choose the shipping method that best suits your needs:

  1. Freight on Your Own Account: Pay for freight using your own account with a carrier of your choice.

  2. Preferred Carriers: Use Ak-West Inc.’s preferred carriers and pay the indicated freight rate.

  3. Third-Party Payment: Have a third party pay for freight on their account with the carrier of their choice.

  4. Shipping Quotes: Request Ak-West Inc. to contact you separately and provide shipping rates when available.

  5. Warehouse Pickup: Opt for yourself or your customer to pick up directly at Ak-West Inc.’s warehouse when the order is ready.

Additional Options

Enhance your order with additional options:

  • Shipping Preferences: Add your shipping preferences to ensure your order is handled exactly as you need.
  • Shipping Instructions: Include any specific shipping instructions or notes to your order for a seamless delivery experience.
 
 

Review Page

Before finalizing your order, take a moment to review all the details:

  1. Order Details: Carefully review the specifics of your order to ensure everything is correct before submission.

  2. Delivery Information: Confirm your delivery details and shipping preferences to guarantee a smooth delivery process.

  3. Purchase Order Numbers: Add your purchase order numbers for easy tracking and reference.

Payment Options

Choose the payment method that works best for you:

  • Distributor Account: Pay on your distributor account through your agreed terms.

  • Credit Card: Pay immediately with a credit card (coming soon).

Lookup Up Orders Online

Our online order review system offers a comprehensive and user-friendly experience:

  1. Historical Orders: Easily view all historical orders submitted online, providing you with a complete record of your past transactions.

  2. Tracking Information: Access tracking information for your orders when available, allowing you to monitor the status and location of your shipments in real-time.

  3. Detailed Order Information: View detailed information about each order submitted, including product descriptions, quantities, prices, and shipping details.

  4. Downloadable PDFs: Save your orders as downloadable PDF files for easy reference and record-keeping. This feature ensures you have a convenient and accessible copy of your order details whenever you need it.

  5. Customer Support: Contact our customer support team if you have any questions or need assistance with your order.

Image Gallery

Wire Shelving Designer

Customization Features:

  • Shelving Customization: Tailor any available shelf with a variety of bins and accessories to meet your specific needs.
  • Finish Styles: Choose between a chrome finish for dry environments or an epoxy finish for humid/refrigerated environments.
  • Customize Spacing: Add spacing between your shelves to optimize available room per shelf, create room to reach into bins, or space shelves without bins.
  • Compatible Accessories: Select compatible accessories and bins to enhance your shelf’s functionality.

Hot Tips and Tricks:

  • Kanban System: Use a two-bin system on deep shelving to optimize Kanban/Lean utilization.

Detailed Breakdown:

  • Components and Quantities: Get a comprehensive breakdown of all components and their quantities.
  • Pricing Information: Access detailed pricing information if your account permits.
  • Pricing Summary: View total prices of the project, per starter kits, and per adder kits if your account permits.
  • Profit Management: Add gross margin or gross profit and hide your costs to display sell prices.
  • Regional Pricing: Toggle to hide or show pricing for Calgary, AB and Mississauga, ON.
  • Export Options: Export a PDF with or without pricing to keep for your records, provide to your customer, or submit an order.

Cabinet Designer

Customization Features:

  • Cabinet Customization: Tailor any available cabinet with a variety of bins and shelves to meet your specific needs.
  • Door Styles: Choose between flush door and box door style cabinets.
  • Louver Customization: Personalize your cabinet with up to 8 sections for back louvers and 8 sections for door louvers.
  • Compatible Accessories: Select compatible shelves and bins to enhance your cabinet’s functionality.
  • Visual Configuration: View an image of your cabinet configuration as you customize it.

Hot Tips and Tricks:

  • Door Louvers: Customize door louvers individually or together to match your desired door configurations.

Detailed Breakdown:

  • Components and Quantities: Get a comprehensive breakdown of all components and their quantities.
  • Pricing Information: Access detailed pricing information if your account permits.
  • Visual Configuration: View an image of your custom cabinet configuration.
  • Profit Management: Add gross margin or gross profit and hide your costs to display sell prices.
  • Regional Pricing: Toggle to hide or show pricing for Calgary, AB and Mississauga, ON.
  • Export Options: Export a PDF with or without pricing to keep for your records, provide to your customer, or submit an order.