OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It is commonly used in product engineering and manufacturing, component manufacturing, and sub-assembly manufacturing. But what does "OEM parts" mean? Put simply; these are parts made by the same company that makes a new product or system.
When a new product or system is sold to a customer, all of its pieces are original parts as it exits the assembly. However, if the customer purchases a replacement part out there, it is not an original piece anymore.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and OE parts are very closely related. Original parts are those that are installed at the sub-assembly or finishing stages of a product. As a result, these elements are only available as components within a brand-new system or product. Labeling a part as OE means that it can be bought independently of the product or system it was designed for. This is why the terms OE and OEM are often interchangeable.
Original Component Manufacturer parts are identical replicas of the parts that were used in the original product or system. That’s why you’ll often hear OCM parts also referred to as OEM or OE. It’s because they’re essentially the same thing, but OCM parts are typically sold through your network of distributors and authorized service providers.
Genuine parts are the last of a production run's components. Because these parts may become part of an entirely new product or system if development continues, they are frequently similar to the original OEM components. These are packed as replacement parts and resold.
OCM, OE, and genuine parts are all considered OEM since their source is the product or system manufacturer. OEM parts are often preferred while aftermarket parts are less so for the following reasons:
Third-party companies design aftermarket parts to fit more than one model or make of a product or system. Some might even require cutting or modification to fit the model. However, because products or systems are often precise, consumers don't have to risk bolting components that won't fit and opt for OEM parts.
Finding aftermarket parts that work for a product or system takes time. And sometimes they might not work properly after all. With OEM components, customers can just shop for the part without concerns about ordering the wrong piece.
The quality of aftermarket parts is usually inferior to that of OEM parts. In most cases, customers buy them but end up replacing the same part over and over again. Their design was not optimized to fit a product or system; thus, they wear and tear quickly.
To sum up, OEM parts remain the best option because the manufacturer designs both the product or system and the part. There is less of a discrepancy from component to component since the manufacturer uses the same design specs. And for that reason, their market demand remains high.
If you are an OEM, you know how a gap in fastener supply can slow you down. That’s why you need a fastener supply company that never runs into supply-chain issues. At Big Bolt, we can create any type of high-quality fastener whenever you need it and ship it within 24 hours. Contact us today, and you will never have to worry about the parts you need-always.