Forecasting For Strategic Growth
Brett Hovis
At Nowak Dental Supplies, we understand that running a successful dental lab requires more than just technical skill and top-tier materials—it requires foresight. Nobody likes to have backorders and when they happen its always seems to be on the case that the Doctor needed yesterday. That’s why we’re committed to helping our lab partners not only stay stocked but stay ahead. So why does forecasting matter and how can we help?
In a fast-moving industry where turnaround times are tight and margins matter, effective forecasting is essential. Predicting your lab’s material and supply needs isn’t just about convenience, it’s about controlling costs, avoiding delays, and creating a smoother, more profitable operation.
Whether it’s zirconia discs, denture teeth, milling burs, or digital resins, knowing what you’ll need before you need it allows you to:
- Avoid last-minute rush orders and overnight shipping costs
- Keep production flowing without interruption
- Better manage cash flow and reduce inventory waste
- Plan staffing and case scheduling more effectively
We don’t want to just ship boxes to our customers—we want to provide strategic support. Our experienced team, industry-leading tools, and customer-specific data give us the ability to help your lab forecast more accurately and confidently.
Here’s how we do it:
We have access to view and share all historical ordering data from our existing customers through our inventory management software. We track historical order patterns and usage for each customer. This allows us to identify trends, anticipate spikes in demand, and make personalized stocking recommendations before you even run low. If you are a new customer of ours, it’s vital that we sit down and evaluate your historical data on products and quantities of what you have ordered year over year. This will both set us up for success as we earn your business and can stock our shelves with what you need instead of having to send weekly backorder reports and try to get a hold of a moving target. It works the exact same way in your laboratory. If you gain a new Doctor, you must be able to handle their workload. Before they even send their first case you need to understand from them how many cases they do weekly, monthly or annually and you ensure that your workflows are able to support their needs. If you do not have this level of communication, then you risk losing that account through poor service and turnaround times.
Once you have become a customer our team can provide monthly usage reports by product and total sales. We can help you specifically see which products you’re using most, how quickly you’re using them, how much of that product you used this year vs last year and when it makes sense to reorder—ensuring nothing is missed.
You’re not just a number in our system. Every Nowak customer has access to a dedicated rep who understands your lab’s workflow and can help you build a smarter ordering strategy. If you do not know who that rep is then please contact me directly at 867-887-0029 for us to set up a meeting to introduce you to your assigned rep.
Nowak Dental Supplies is more than a vendor—we’re a partner in your lab’s success. We have increased our inventory levels over $1 million dollars in the last year. This is because we have been working closer with our current and prospective customers on forecasting. One of my favorite quotes is, “Fail to plan, then plan to Fail”! With the right tools, the right data, and a deep understanding of your business, we help you make smarter decisions today so you’re always ready for tomorrow. Let’s build a smarter supply strategy together.
Contact your Nowak representative today to learn how we can help your lab forecast with confidence.
—Brett