4 STEPS TO HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT MANUFACTURER FOR YOUR PRODUCT

No matter how amazing your product concept is, you won’t be able to achieve your vision unless you partner with a manufacturer who can deliver the results you need. But finding a good manufacturer is sometimes easier said than done. As a result, it’s not unusual for a product developer to find themself unhappy with the manufacturing experience. Thankfully, you can avoid the headache of working with an unqualified manufacturer by following a few simple steps.

• Step 1: Start by thinking about what your product needs: You won’t be able to get what you want from a manufacturer unless you know what you’re looking for. Before you start looking for a manufacturer, think about what services you’ll need. Are you looking for a manufacturer who can assist you with your new product concept, or are you looking for a manufacturer who can better fulfill existing products? The manufacturer that is the best fit for you is dependant on what you need.
• Step 2: Consider domestic and overseas sourcing: After articulating what you need from a manufacturer, you should decide whether you want to work with a manufacturer domestically or send production overseas. Each option comes with different advantages and disadvantages. Of course we may be biased, but we believe domestic manufacturing produces higher quality products in less time, but overseas manufacturing can offer cost advantages. The question will be whether these cost advantages balance out potential issues with quality and communication throughout the manufacturing process. Do your research to determine which one is better-suited for your priorities.
• Step 3: Use your research resources: There are a lot of ways that you can find potential manufacturers for your product. You can look through online supplier directories, find resources at your local library, ask for referrals from friends and colleagues, or simply conduct an online search for manufacturers. Narrow down your choices based on their experience, qualifications, and ability to deliver the product concept that you have in mind.
• Step 4: Make an informed decision: Once you’ve identified potential manufacturers, you will need to do some additional screening to find the one that’s best for your needs. You can compile a list of questions to ask all of the manufacturers you’re considering (or use our helpful list of questions to ask when choosing a contract manufacturer) so that you can easily weigh different benefits and advantages. Make sure to ask about pricing, order minimums, turnaround times, sample pricing, and payment terms.

Have questions about choosing a contract manufacturer? Contact KASO Plasticstoday to get started.