Lead Times & Stock
Stockholding policy, typical lead times by category, AOG / vessel-stranded handling, carrier cut-off times, backorder workflow, FIRM / INDICATIVE / ESTIMATED confidence tiers.
cBallast does not run a speculative warehouse — the cost of holding 9,000+ SKUs in stock would inflate prices without value to the institutional buyer, whose own consolidation cycle is typically the binding constraint. Stock is held selectively on fast-moving consumables and on items where the OEM lead time would otherwise exceed the buyer's operational window.
Lead time is communicated as one of three confidence tiers on every quotation. FIRM — stock confirmed, distributor PO already placed, or carrier booking in hand; deviation risk is operational only. INDICATIVE — OEM has confirmed availability within the stated window but the formal PO is not yet placed; deviation risk is typical OEM scheduling. ESTIMATED — based on historical pattern for the OEM and the part class; the actual window will be confirmed on order.
AOG / vessel-stranded escalation — where a part is needed for a stranded vessel or grounded asset, mark the RFQ as AOG and cBallast routes through the OEM's emergency channel and the carrier's cut-off windows. Carriers used include DHL Express, FedEx Priority, TNT and UPS WorldShip, with hand-carry options for parts that cannot route through commercial carriers.