The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Manufacturing

As a business owner or product developer, you’re likely always looking for ways to improve your operations and increase your bottom line. One area that should be considered is your manufacturing process. Business often put so much focus on the idea and design of the initial product that how it actually gets made is overlooked. Chances are, if you are not a manufacturing company, you have no idea how complex yet vital this piece of the product development process can be.

There are many benefits to outsourcing manufacturing to a third-party provider; not the least of which include helping your business grow, streamlining operations, and increasing ROI.

Engineering Expertise

One of the key benefits of outsourcing your manufacturing to an experienced partner is the access you gain to their engineering teams. A reputable manufacturing partner will have a team of engineers who are experienced in manufacturing processes and current industry technologies. These experts can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the product development process, from initial design through mass production.

They can provide you with feasibility studies, material selection advice, tooling design, and prototyping services. The result is a product that is optimised for manufacturing and meets your performance and quality requirements.

Design for Manufacturing

Another added benefit to outsourcing your manufacturing, which is equally as important as their engineering expertise, is their ability to design for manufacturing (DFM). DFM is the process that involves designing a product to be manufactured from the initial design. Every component in every millimetre of the product’s design is created with the intention of manufacturing efficiency.

This approach can reduce production costs, improve product quality, and increase time to market. It also greatly minimises the need for custom tooling, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces the number of components required in the bill of materials (BOM).

Multiple Global Manufacturing Locations

Finally, one of the most overlooked benefits of hiring a manufacturing partner is choosing one with multiple global manufacturing locations. This can provide a range of advantages, including improved supply chain management, reduced lead times, increased production capacity, and faster time to market.

When you work with a partner that owns their own global manufacturing facilities, you can take advantage of local expertise and resources. This can streamline your supply chain and reduce logistics costs, as products can be manufactured closer to their end user. Additionally, by having multiple manufacturing locations, you can benefit from redundancy in the event of a production issue or supply chain disruption.

Choosing the Right Manufacturing Partner

Of course, not all manufacturing partners are created equal. Choosing the right partner for your particular needs is essential to ensure you benefit from outsourcing your manufacturing. Here are a few things to consider when selecting a manufacturing partner:

Experience and Expertise: Look for a partner with a track record of success in your industry and expertise in the manufacturing processes your product requires. For example, a manufacturer specialising in product assembly will lack the machinery, skills, and time-savings needed to build a medical device product properly.

Quality Assurance: Ensure that your manufacturing partner already has a strong quality assurance team to guarantee product quality. Their team will be well-versed in product certifications and regulatory compliance and should be able to take you through each process effortlessly. If you are developing an IoT product, they will ensure it’s being designed with security in mind.

Cost: While cost shouldn’t be the only factor you consider, it’s important to work with a partner offering competitive pricing for the services your product requires. They should provide options for tooling based on price point and deliver your product within the negotiated and agreed-upon quote.

Communication: Choose a partner that values communication and is responsive to your needs. Clear communication ensures that your product is manufactured to your specifications. If you feel they are not being fully transparent at any point in the quotation process, you should address this concern with them.

Location: Consider the location of your manufacturing partner’s facilities and whether they offer the advantages you require, such as access to local resources or a contingency plan in the event of a disruption.

By taking these factors into account, you will find a manufacturing partner that meets your needs and helps you achieve your business goals.

Choosing the Right Manufacturing Partner for Your Product Development Needs

We hope this blog has shed some light on how outsourcing your manufacturing can provide a range of benefits for your business. By leveraging DFM principles, accessing engineering expertise, and working with an experienced partner with multiple global manufacturing locations, you can streamline your operations, reduce costs, improve product quality, and increase your time to market. Considering factors such as experience, quality assurance, cost, communication, and location can ensure you choose the right manufacturing partner for your needs. With the right partnership, you can take your business to the next level and achieve your growth objectives.

Overall, outsourcing your manufacturing can be a game-changer for your business, especially if you’re looking to scale up and expand your operations. Pivot International has over 50 years of manufacturing experience. Our engineering and manufacturing expertise has brought hundreds of products to market. We own our own manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as have global engineering teams in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines. Our engineers design with manufacturing in mind to ensure your electronic product can be made as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can work with you.