I've spent the last 6 years managing our facility maintenance budget, which runs about $180,000 annually. A big chunk of that goes to vertical transportation—keeping our Schindler elevators (specifically the ones at our Hanover, PA facility) running. When I need a part, like a specific Schindler elevator key set or a replacement door handle, I have two distinct paths: go direct through the OEM (Schindler), or source a custom part from an online fabricator.
This article is a direct comparison of those two paths. I'm not here to tell you one is always better. I'm here to give you a framework for deciding which is cheaper when you factor in the total cost. We're going to look at price, lead time, quality control, and the risk that you'll get a part that doesn't fit, like ordering shower shoes that don't fit the drain, but with thousands of dollars on the line.
The Core Comparison: OEM vs. Custom Manufacturing
Before we dive into specific dimensions, let's define our two contenders. On one side, you have the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like Schindler. They have the definitive specs. On the other, you have an online custom manufacturing shop that can make anything from a door handle to a structural bracket based on your drawings.
The central question for a cost controller isn't 'Which is cheaper?' It's 'Which has a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for this specific need?'
We'll compare them across three key dimensions: Unit Price & Hidden Fees, Lead Time & Certainty, and Quality & Fit Risk.
Dimension 1: Unit Price vs. Total Cost
This is where the rookie mistake lives. You ask for a quote for a Schindler part—say, a specific key for a Schindler elevator key set. The quote is $120. You think, 'I can get a machine shop to turn that for $40.'
Let's use my TCO spreadsheet to break that down. The total cost thinking framework (Source: My procurement tracking system, 2024) says we look at more than the base price:
- The Base Quote: $120 (Schindler) vs. $40 (Custom). Age-old story, right?
- Setup Fees: The custom shop hit me with a $30 'programming fee.' Schindler's price includes the part being ready to go.
- Shipping: Schindler's part came with $10 standard ground. The custom shop's $40 part? $25 shipping because it was a one-off odd shape. (Should mention: the Schindler part shipped from a regional depot; the custom one came from across the country).
- The Revision Nightmare: I sent a drawing of a simple door handle to a custom shop. It came back 2mm too short. A re-do cost another $20 + shipping. The Schindler handle? I gave them the model number, it arrived, it fit. Period.
Total Cost Comparison: The 'cheap' $40 part turned into $115 ($40 + $30 + $25 shipping + $20 redo). The 'expensive' $120 part was actually $130 including shipping. The difference shrank from 67% to 12%. And that doesn't account for the hour I spent arguing about the redo and the two extra days without a working door handle.
Dimension 2: Lead Time and Schedule Certainty
What most people don't realize is that 'lead time' isn't just a date on a calendar; it's a probability. Schindler's lead time for a standard Schindler elevator key set might be 3-5 business days. A custom shop might say '5-7 business days.' You look at that and think they're comparable. At least, that's been my experience with surface-level comparisons.
Here's something vendors won't tell you: that '5-7 day' lead time often doesn't start until your part enters production. A custom shop might take 3 days just to 'fit' your job into their queue. They're hedging against machine breakdowns. Schindler, for their own components, has a dedicated supply chain. They've been making that same door handle for 20 years. The certainty is much higher.
In Q2 2024, when we had a safety inspection coming up and needed an emergency replacement for a shower shoe in the locker room (not elevator-related, but same principle), I opted for a known OEM part. The price was 30% more, but the delivery window was 'guaranteed to arrive by Friday.' The custom part had a 'typical' lead time of a week, but with no guarantee. The value of that certainty—avoiding a failed inspection—was worth far more than the price difference.
The conclusion here is clear but nuanced: For a routine stocking order of a part you know, like a spare Schindler elevator key set, the OEM's schedule certainty is a hidden asset. For a non-critical prototype you're not in a rush for, the custom shop's lower price and flexible timeline is a fine gamble.
Dimension 3: Quality Assurance and the 'Fit' Risk
This is the dimension that surprised me when I first started. I assumed a part is a part. A door handle is a hunk of metal, right? Wrong. The Schindler elevator door handle isn't just a shape; it's a specific grade of stainless steel with a specific spring tension. The custom shop's version that I ordered? It looked identical. But the steel was slightly softer, and the handle started to sag within six months.
Let me rephrase that: the cheaper part met the dimensional specs I provided, but it didn't meet the performance spec that Schindler has engineered into their component.
For the mezzanine floor in our warehouse, we needed specific load-bearing brackets. I couldn't risk a 'good enough' part. The cost of failure was a potential collapse. In that case, the Schindler-engineered part, with documented load ratings and material certifications, was the only financially responsible choice. The custom shop could probably have made a part strong enough, but proving it with third-party testing would have wiped out any cost savings. Oh, and I should add that liability insurance plays a role here—if a custom-fabricated bracket failed and injured someone, our risk profile would be very different than if an OEM-certified part failed.
When to Choose Which: A Practical Framework
After comparing 8 vendors over 3 months and documenting every order in our cost tracking system, I've come to believe that the 'best' option is highly context-dependent. Here's the framework I use now:
- Choose OEM (Schindler) When:
- The part is safety-critical (brake parts, load-bearing brackets for a mezzanine floor).
- The 'fit' is highly specific and undocumented (like a proprietary Schindler elevator key set).
- The lead time is non-negotiable (inspection deadline, safety shutdown).
- You need a material certification or warranty.
- Choose Custom Manufacturing When:
- The part is non-critical and cosmetic (generic door handles, decorative trim).
- You can afford a 1-2 week buffer for potential re-dos.
- You have exact, full-proven drawings or the part is simple and easily measured (like standard shower shoes for a drain).
- You need a low quantity (1-10 parts) where the OEM's markup is astronomical.
Looking back, I should have created this framework earlier. At the time, I was just chasing the lowest initial invoice. The 'cheap' option I went with on a Schindler elevator control board bracket resulted in a $1,200 redo when the part vibrated loose and damaged the door contacts. That's the kind of mistake you only make once.
Use the TCO framework. Calculate the cost of your time, the risk of failure, and the value of schedule certainty. That's the only way to make a decision that looks good not just in the requisition, but in the long-term maintenance log.
Prices and lead times are based on quotes from Q1 2025 and my own procurement history. Consult your vendor for current pricing.
