Contract Manufacturing Services in China: A Guide on What to Consider
Let’s say you’re a small business owner and have just received an order for 500,000 watches. What do you do?
Well, first off, you’re probably feeling pretty overwhelmed! It’s a big deal to get that kind of business, and you want to keep them coming back for more. All you need is the resources to fulfill their order.
You’ve heard about contract manufacturing services in China, but you don’t know where to start. You can’t afford to make a mistake, so you need to be sure that whoever you choose understands your needs and offers quality products at competitive prices without compromising on safety or environmental standards.
Instead of trying to choose the best candidate on your own, read on for everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Quality Control and Inspection
You need to be sure that the products your company sells meet or exceed quality standards. Ask manufacturers about their quality certifications. You should also consider whether they have industry-specific certifications, such as FDA certification.
Ask about the steps a manufacturer takes to ensure quality, including inspection techniques and certifications. You also need to consider whether they use third-party testing. If they do, ask which organizations they use and what types of tests they do most frequently.
Cost
With so many variables involved in your product’s production and delivery, it’s not always easy to determine how much something will cost. The price of your final product will depend on several factors. So, it’s best to work with a contract manufacturer who can provide you with a comprehensive quote. This will help you understand all the costs involved in production and shipping so there are no surprises down the line.
Capabilities
When you’re looking to manufacture a product, you need to consider the capabilities of your supplier. You should ask:
- What type of products they can produce
- How many units per month they can produce
- At what price it will be possible to get them manufactured
For example, if you want to produce 500 units per month and require a high-quality material for your product, then finding a supplier who can do this would be ideal. However, if you only need 100 units per month with no specific requirements for the materials used, you have a wide range of options. Assuming you’re looking for the lowest price per unit, then your best bet is to find a supplier with no minimum order size.
Longevity
If your supply chain is disrupted in any way, it could wreck your bottom line and your business. You should carefully evaluate a potential manufacturing partner’s financial stability and performance record before choosing them for your product.
Communication
Contract manufacturers in China have low-cost labor, which can be a benefit if your goal is to reduce manufacturing costs. However, this also means that you may face communication difficulties because of language barriers. To circumvent this issue, consider working with a contract manufacturer that has experience communicating with Western businesses.
If you have limited opportunity to communicate with the production facility on an ongoing basis, then you should consider whether another manufacturer might be better suited for your needs.
Production Flexibility
It helps to choose a manufacturing company that’s willing to add to their production tools when necessary. For instance, some manufacturers only produce with injection molding equipment. If your project requires casting or machining equipment, then you’ll need to find a different company.
But if you can find a company that’s constantly updating its machinery and processes, then you should have the flexibility to make any changes that might be necessary.
Experience
A manufacturing company will only be able to produce your product if they understand the design specs and goals. If you’re working with a facility that doesn’t fully grasp your project, then it may not come out as expected. To avoid this problem, try to choose a manufacturer with experience in your industry or with similar products.
For instance, when choosing a manufacturing company for plastic injection molding projects, you should look for companies that have produced high-quality plastic components in the past.
Certifications
The quality of your products hinges on the quality of your manufacturing partner. It’s important that they have the right certifications and follow best practices. Manufacturers who don’t have certifications should be avoided at all costs, as they represent a risk for both you and your customers.
There are many certifications that manufacturers can earn, like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO45001. However, there is no law requiring a contract manufacturing service to have any particular certification. Each organization has its own standards for what is required for membership or accreditation.
Some industries also require specific certifications from their suppliers to sell their products to specific markets. For example, food packaging or medical devices require FDA approval before being sold in the United States’ market. If you’re planning on selling internationally, then make sure that any contract manufacturer you work with can meet those requirements as well!
Choose Reliable Contract Manufacturing Services
Getting the help of contract manufacturing services can help bring your ideas to life. At Shield Works, we have a wide range of capabilities and services to help you design, prototype, and manufacture your products. If you’re looking for engineering support to help you create the right product, we can do that too!
Get in touch with our team and tell us about your amazing idea. You’ll hear from us in 24 hours!