If you do not have or can afford the facilities, equipment or staff to complete a specific project, this could be a worry. Yet, if you hire a contract manufacturer to perform the work for your company, you can avoid all the headaches and come out ahead. The questions are, what do you require and how do you find the right Contract Manufacturers for your project?
Finding the Right Contract Manufacturer
Online you will find a list of potential candidates for the project. Before looking closely at what they have to offer, make sure you first clarify the specific requirements for the tasks you need them to fulfill. This will provide you the information you need to eliminate those who do not handle your type of project. You can then move on to the following steps:
Online Presence: Look closely at the company’s website. Take into account what services they offer, what resources they have on hand, the customers they serve, their goals and any other information relating to production, delivery dates and value-added services.
Qualifications: What credentials does the company have? With what organizations do they have affiliations?
Staff: What training and qualifications does their staff have? Qualifications? Certifications?
Equipment/Technology: How modern is the shop? What equipment does it have? Do they have a high degree of innovative technology e.g. CAD/CAM, robotics, plasma and lasers?
Reviews: Contact their customers if possible to provide further proof of the contract manufacturers claims.
Communication Skills: How quickly does the company respond to your requests for information? Are the answers, clear, precise and to the point? Are they on the same page with your staff?
Be sure to factor in all these aspects.
Contract Manufacturers
The market offers a choice among many different contract manufacturers. Be sure to compare your company’s needs with their capabilities and reliability. Only after looking at the various applicable factors can you make an informed decision.