If it lacks on proper research, selecting a manufacturer to produce your products can be a time consuming and costly process. It can take years of trial and error to choose the right manufacturer to produce your quality products.
In “Choosing a Manufacturer with Confidence – Part 1” we introduced 5 important questions to have a broader understanding about the manufacturer you are about to deal with and to measure whether or not you should associate your business to the manufacturer.
So to try to make the process less painful, we are now introducing to you 5 more questions which buyers should also ask when selecting new manufacturers:
What well-known brands does the manufacturer work with?
You do want to select manufacturers that are reliable and who produces high-quality goods for well-known companies. If a manufacturer cooperates with famous brands means that their facilities were audited by big retailers worldwide.
How big is the manufacturer facility?
“When we first began, we did what most startup companies do. We were looking for a smaller manufacturer we expected they’d take better care of our products, as our volume was considered to be high for that manufacturer. It turned out we had to return one-third of our inventory due to quality problems” – Jason Lee, Purchasing Manager at Locked Inc.
These factories were recently established so they do not carry out the quality controls of a more experienced manufacturer. The bigger their facility is, the more employees the factory has, the longer they have been in the business of manufacturing -- giving them knowledge in their respective industries.
What quality control measures does the manufacturer take and at which stages of production?
As you may know, quality control is the most crucial stage in the production process. A manufacturer that takes more quality control steps will offer lower risks of delivering defective products. Some manufacturers will only have their products checked at the end of the production. However, this isn't always the best strategy depending on the product category. For example, for electronic products, as checking the quality of the components as well as welding of internal circuits and wires, checking the products at different stages of production is also necessary.
Where does the manufacturer source raw materials and components from?
Verify if the raw material and components the manufacturer uses to make your product are from a reliable manufacturer, too. This can be answered by asking the manufacturer to provide you with a list of materials and names of the manufacturers that produce them. After all, the overall quality of your product is directly related to the quality of each component your product has.
What is the manufacturer’s production capacity?
Production capacity is very important to your long-term success. If you are serious about bringing your products to market, you must ensure that once you close that big sale, you are fully able to produce the order and deliver on time. The last thing you want to do is under deliver with a new customer or have to scramble to find a new manufacturer to produce a large order.
Conclusion
Reasonable steps taken by buyers in order to satisfy a smooth production process can eliminate some trials and reduce some of the headaches you may face when searching for the right manufacturer. Companies often lose significant amounts of money by not ensuring that they have chosen the right manufacturer -- and you might not be able to afford these kind of losses. Ensure you do a proper research and ask as many questions as needed:
Is the equipment used by the manufacturer advanced and modern?
Is communication with the manufacturer open and honest?
Does the manufacturer have the right certifications?
How does the manufacturer handle information?
Is this company on the edge of bankruptcy?
What well-known brands does the manufacturer work with?
How big is the manufacturer facility?
What quality control measures does the manufacturer take and at which stages of production?
Where does the manufacturer source raw materials and components from?
What is the manufacturer’s production capacity?
Getting these questions answered will contribute to the selection of the right manufacturer for your product. You too can rely on a full-accredited inspection service provider to secure your supply chain in a more professional approach. They are able to uncover problems before production or order confirmation. You could have an exact understanding of your supplier's capabilities, facilities & machinery, management, operating procedures, and quality control system. This enables you to select a qualified supplier with confidence.
This will show the manufacturer you pay attention to detail and you are on top of their production.
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