Bulk ice melt: Why buying by the skid (and buying early) saves your winter

Buy by the skid = better pricing 

For a start, ‘buy by the skid’ is the concept of purchasing items in bulk, where the goods are loaded onto a skid for transport and storage. It's a widely accepted concept, especially in business-to-business transactions, because of its financial benefits to customers and logistics efficiency for the businesses (i.e, the seller in this transaction).

Skid orders usually get better pricing because they usually require fewer forklift moves, one ticket, and one delivery. The logistical workflow for skid buying requires less labor, less associated injury risk and time, lowering the supplier’s costs and leading to lower pricing.

The consistency in the workflow for skid orders helps distributors plan inventory and logistics, increases delivery efficiency, and even protects product quality from shrinkage and damage because skids stay wrapped and stable.

Compare the workflow for skid orders with that for 20-30 loose bags, which would require more labor to pick each bag individually.

For bulk ice melt purchases, Reliable Maintenance Products currently has a winter sale on premium ice Melt product, PRO-2000, with significant discounts on skid pricing. 

How to buy

For our ice melt winter sale, getting skid pricing would require interested buyers to contact Reliable Maintenance Products for a quote.

In skid ordering, it is always worth asking your supplier about volume breaks (by skid, by multiple skids, by truckload).

When you contact Reliable Maintenance Products for skid orders of Ice Melt or PRO-2000, you will be asked how many skids you need, whether you’re ordering for multiple sites, your preferred delivery time, and locations, etc. 

Why you must plan early for bulk ice melt

For bulk ice melt purchases, it is important to plan early due to supply chain constraints.

There ain’t many ice melt manufacturers and suppliers in Canada and North America. Every winter season, there is high demand from municipalities, contractors, and facility managers.

We have already started receiving feedback from Reliable Maintenance Products about an expected shortage of ice melt products in the new year. Due to winter conditions across Canada and the United States, demand for ice melt products is outpacing supply.

When to order bulk ice melt

With limited ice melt suppliers in Canada and across North America, waiting until January to “see how the winter goes” is a gamble.

On December 4 this year, we were already receiving calls from upstream suppliers warning of ice-melt shortages in the new year. Once that happens, most of the product in the pipeline is already spoken for.

A good rule of thumb is to secure your base volume before winter truly hits. Typically, in late fall or very early in the season. That first order should cover what you reasonably expect to use in an average winter, based on last year’s usage, your property size, and your level of risk tolerance.

From there, plan for top-up orders mid-season if conditions are harsher than normal. The key is that your first bulk order (especially if you’re buying by the skid) is placed before the market starts talking about shortages. By the time everyone is scrambling, prices are higher, choices are limited, and in some cases, there simply isn’t any product left to buy.

When you order early, you’re not just getting better access to the product; you’re buying peace of mind. You know your lots, sidewalks, and entrances will stay safe and operational, even if the rest of the market is suddenly trying to source ice melt at the same time.

Questions to ask your bulk ice melt supplier

Once you’ve decided to buy bulk ice melt, the next step is having the right conversation with your supplier. A quick, focused call or email can give you clarity on pricing, availability, and the best product for your site.

Here are some smart questions to ask:

• Do you offer better pricing if I buy by the skid or multiple skids?
• Can I reserve a product now for delivery later in the season?
• What products do you recommend for our temperatures and surfaces?
• What are you hearing about supply for the rest of the season? Are there any expected shortages?
• Do you have storage tips to prevent bulk products from clumping or going to waste?

How Reliable Maintenance Products helps get ahead of shortages? 

When ice melt starts getting tight in the market, you don’t just need a supplier, you need a partner who saw it coming. That’s where Reliable Maintenance Products comes in.

Because we work directly with manufacturers and monitor demand across the region, we anticipate shortages before they reach end users and plan our sales accordingly.

Our team can help you choose the right product type (rock salt, treated blends, premium, or eco options), estimate the volume you’re likely to need, and map out the timing of your orders so you’re covered for the full season, not just the next storm.

Currently, we have a winter sales promotion running throughout December for the best ice melt on the market, PRO-2000.

Whether you’re looking for a single skid to cover a handful of properties or multiple skids to feed a busy snow and ice operation, we can structure your order around how you actually work.

This promotion also includes loose bag ordering here.

Call Reliable Maintenance Products to ask about skid pricing, volume discounts, and current product availability. We’ll help you choose the right ice melt, estimate how much you really need, and plan your order so you’re ahead of any potential shortage.