When the time comes to manufacture your hardware product, having the right manufacturing partner on your team makes all the difference. Speed, accuracy, reliability and open communication are all characteristics to look for when picking a contract manufacturer (CM). Building a supply chain from scratch is challenging and many hardware startups falter during this early-stage, however with the right information your startup doesn’t have to be one of them.
Below are a few points that manufacturers want hardware entrepreneurs to know.
- Plan to visit the factory. Phone calls and emails are great, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting to hammer out the details. You want to get your prototype in the hands of the people who are going to build your product and a visit to the factory lets you see how the manufacturer functions and lets you evaluate their methodology. Whether your factory is in Mexico, China or the United States a visit to the factory is vital to a successful collaboration.
- Be prepared to share everything. Whether you are asking for a quote or ready to start production, be prepared to share all the information you have about your product. The manufacturer is going to need CAD files, technical drawings, schematics, etc. Providing this information allows the CM to provide an accurate quote and/or production timeline.
- Give them a realistic assessment of production volumes. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to production volumes. Traditionally, startups need to start with small production runs and then scale up. You may find that some CMs would rather not work with your hardware startup because of the low production volume—if this is the case, it is better to know this at the beginning of your talk than weeks down the road. In other cases though, they may be willing to work with you on scope and budget because they understand the long-term potential you have as a client.
- Respect their knowledge. You manufacturer will be obligated to meet the requirements and specifications you set for your hardware product; however, they will also be able to provide valuable insight for your consideration. Manufacturers have extensive knowledge from years of experience and this can be a valuable asset to your business. Keep an open mind when they provide suggestions on how to simplify and improve difference aspects of your product.
Hardware product development is a lengthy process, but it doesn’t have to be frustrating. Taking the time to evaluate potential manufacturing partners before selecting one will save you headaches (and heartaches) later on.
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
Startup Connector is a Manufacturing Accelerator helping companies commercialize—turning ideas into products.
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