Switching Your Injection Molder? Consider These First.

Thinking about switching injection molders? We know it’s not a decision to take lightly. Fortunately, most businesses find themselves in this position only rarely. Unfortunately, it’s often due to a deterioration of the OEM and contract manufacturer’s working relationship. Perhaps costs have been on the rise, perhaps you’ve experienced a rise in quality issues, no matter what the reason, if you aren’t completely satisfied with your manufacturer, you may find yourself preparing to move on.

But before you do, there are several steps you can–and should–take first to make the transition as pain-free as possible.

First, ensure your current operations are fully documented.

This will make the transfer easier and set the new manufacturing operators up for success. This is a crucial first step and provides an added opportunity to review the current processes to see if there is room to make improvements. Be thorough here, any missing information could lead to disastrous results at your new manufacturer’s facility.

Once this is complete, you will also want to be sure to schedule a visit to the new manufacturer’s facility to assess the manufacturer’s capabilities, production capacity, and day to day operations.

Pro tip: Pay special attention to your new molder’s injection mold maintenance program, especially if you are making the switch due to quality issues. Often, quality issues arise because injection molds are not maintained properly. When selecting your new manufacturer, get detailed information about how frequently molds are maintained and what actions are taken to ensure ongoing product quality.

Finally, ask yourself some practical questions that will help set you and your new injection molder up for success:

How much inventory do you currently have on hand?

You will want to make sure you have enough to cover your product needs while the transfer is being completed. The transfer process is rather complex, and can take as much as a month or two, so you will want to ensure you are prepared in the meantime.

Do you have any looming deadlines?

Again, the transfer will take some time. If you have pressing deadlines, be sure to leave space for your new molder to get up and running in time to meet them.

Are you prepared for unforeseen costs?

Hopefully, there won’t be any unforeseen costs. In addition to shipping and setup costs, you should also factor in some cost to make any repairs or mold improvements that your new manufacturing partner may suggest. This is an excellent time to make these kinds of changes for better mold performance and perhaps even some future costs savings.

Are you looking to make the switch to a new injection molder? We invite you to consider working with the experts at KASO Plastics. We have provided quality injection molding and engineering services for over 50 years and we are ready to help answer any of your injection molding questions.