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Is It Difficult to Set up Contract Manufacturing?

In 2018, the global Contract Manufacturing Organisation (CMO) was valued at $92.42 billion. Business is booming, and more companies than ever are now using contract manufacturing. 

So, what is it, and is it right for you? 

Let’s find out.

What Is Contract Manufacturing?

Businesses that use contract manufacturing hire other companies to produce their products for them. This provides smaller businesses with a significant advantage.

They can sell their products on a large scale without needing the assets required to run a large warehouse or factory.

It’s the dream of any entrepreneur or business owner: Your product will be manufactured swiftly and sold in vast quantities by a contract manufacturer.

This process can save time and money, all while increasing the reach of your business. A contract manufacturer can be based anywhere, but China and the U.S provide some of the most popular services. 

The Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can benefit from contract manufacturing. Here are just a few of the ways it can help you:

The Hiring of Service or Labor

With contract manufacturing, it’s also possible to subcontract labor. For example, if you’re a smaller company, you might not have enough employees to make your production process run smoothly.

In these cases, you can outsource. This method is popular with many large-scale manufacturers, especially as you’ll be able to select manufacturers who are experts in your specific field.

You Gain an Operational Advantage

If the demand for a specific product is high, and a contract manufacturer can provide the capacity to meet this demand, you’ll generate more profit.

In some cases, you’ll also be able to work with contract manufacturers if you’re looking to pilot a new product. They’ll be able to test the market for you before you launch into large-scale manufacturing, saving you time and resources.

Flexibility

This is one of the most significant benefits of contract manufacturing. They’ll have the resources, time, and manpower to adapt to the specific needs of your product.

This means it can often get to the market quicker than you can achieve by working in-house.

You’ll also find that many suppliers offer a range of services. These can include warehousing and 3PL services, quality inspection and testing, manufacturing, order consolidation, assembly, IP servicing, and more.

If you outsource and select the appropriate supplier, the expansion opportunities are vast. Your customers will also be satisfied with more resources.

CM’s can provide high-quality testing and assembly, so your products are guaranteed to be safe and fully functional. 

You Can Enter Different Markets

As a merchant, it can sometimes be hard to trade and perform business in other countries.

When you outsource and provide contracts to manufacturers in different countries, you’ll find it much easier to sell your products outside your national market. 

It can also be cheaper to enter other markets through contract manufacturing, so you’ll give yourself the best chance to generate more profit.

You Can Dedicate More Time to Selling

Marketing is an important business. Suppose you can’t target potential consumers effectively. In that case, the quality of your products won’t matter because you won’t be reaping the rewards.

If you use contract marketing, you’ll be allowing other people to handle the practical side of your business while you focus on selling. As a result, you’ll be able to strike a better balance and give yourself a fighting chance in the market.

High-Quality and Low-Cost

Your products will be safe in the hands of professionals who can use their expertise to maximize the quality of your products. Many contract manufacturers are experts in production activities.

They can often perform this work to a higher standard than most businesses who choose not to outsource.

What Are the Disadvantages?

The benefits of contract manufacturing are substantial, but the process doesn’t come without its disadvantages. These can include the following:

Lack of Control

You’ll lose control over your production activities. If you have solid and existing production skills, you might choose not to outsource. If you’d prefer to hand-pick your employees yourself, this may also be a problem.

Although you’ll be able to select the manufacturer yourself, you won’t be able to choose individually or approve the people who manage your products. Your CM will take care of this for you. 

Potential Delivery Delays

Contract manufacturers work on a colossal scale. Sometimes, due to a heavy workload, they may not produce products on time, and your customers could experience some delays.

Potential Outsourcing Problems

If you choose to outsource abroad, you could be interacting with people who speak different languages and live in different time zones. If you’re impatient, communication could become stressful for all parties involved. Make sure you’re happy with who you’re outsourcing to.

What channels will you use to communicate? Are you happy to speak with manufacturers in different time zones, even if it’s not during your business hours? These are all critical questions to consider.  

Are You Ready to Get Started With Contract Manufacturing?

We hope that having read this blog post you now have a clearer idea of why you need contract manufacturing.

If you’re looking to hire a labor force, access better equipment and facilities, and/or have goods built, contract manufacturing could be a perfect solution. 

You’ll also be able to negate start-up costs, improve product quality, concentrate on your brand and keep up with seasonal demand. 

Contract manufacturers like Shield Works offer companies an array of different services and high levels of expertise. So if you’re looking for a reliable manufacturer and want to move your production to China, contact Shield Works today for more information.