Valve Lead Times, Spare Parts and Minimum Quantities
Lead time questions usually arrive as one line: "what is your delivery time?" The useful answer depends on four things, and it is worth knowing them before you plan a shutdown or a sail date.
What drives the lead time
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Standard vs special material | Carbon steel and 316 SS items move fastest; duplex, nickel alloys and forged specials depend on mill and foundry slots |
| Size and pressure class | Larger sizes and Class 1500/2500 bodies need dedicated castings or forgings |
| Testing | Fire-safe, cryogenic, fugitive emission and NACE hardness verification each add a step |
| Third-party inspection | Hold points extend the schedule; booked at enquiry stage it is planned in, booked late it delays shipment |
Our offers state lead time per line item, not one number for the order. Where something can be shipped sooner than the line implies, we say so rather than quoting the safest date for everything.
Spare parts: order them with the valve
The cheapest spare kit is the one shipped in the same case. Seat and seal kits, packing, handles and bleed valve spares are small, priced modestly, and the second shipment for a single seal kit costs more than the kit itself.
- Ask for a spare parts recommendation with the offer — typically one seat/seal kit per size for critical service.
- For hydrogen, sour and low-temperature service, quote spares in the same material specification as the valve.
- Keep the tag number on the spare kit: it is the only reliable way to match it years later.
Minimum quantities
Minimum order quantity is quoted per item, because it depends on how the part is made:
- Standard catalogue items can usually ship as single pieces.
- Special materials and non-standard sizes carry mill or foundry minimums, which are stated in the offer.
- Assemblies and manifolds are quoted per configuration; a small quantity is possible, but the per-unit price reflects the set-up work.
If a project needs a handful of exotic items, say so early: sometimes grouping them into one production run brings the price down more than any negotiation.
Planning a shutdown
Tell us the shutdown date in the enquiry. We then quote the fastest realistic route — which may mean a different but technically equivalent design, or air freight for part of the order — instead of the cheapest one. See shipping and delivery for how urgent shipments are handled.
Need a lead time for a specific item? Send the datasheet or tag list to websale@sawye.com or use the inquiry form.