You’re not just selling a product. You’re selling an experience. A solution. To make it not only a reality, but marketable and profitable, you’re likely going to need to find a partner who can make it happen.
To help sort through your options, we’ve identified 10 key traits of a solid manufacturing partner. We’ve also given key questions to ask when vetting a partner.
"What is your project management approach?"
1. Collaborative
You want input from ideation to design and production. Does your manufacturing partner provide services that allow for the melding of your and their expertise? Or are they just spitting out product?
Look for a manufacturer who puts just as much stake in the success of the product as you do. From their investment in design drawings to handpicking the best materials for your solution you’ll be able to tell if they’re in it to win it.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What is your project management approach?
- How involved are you in the ideation/design process?
2. Responsive
When opportunity strikes, you only have a limited window to be first out with product. A manufacturer whose engineers can turn around a design on a dime and one who is transparent in their historical lead times (not just what they say it should be) is vital to your success.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What can we expect for time commitment from ideation to prototype?
- What is your average production lead time?
3. Expert
Weed out the novices. You’re good at what you do, and they know their way around product development and production. What case studies can they show you? Can they point you to various examples of how they identified a problem, how they designed the solution, outline what materials, methods and quantities they used?
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What case studies can you show me of your previous work?
- What unanticipated challenges have you faced in past projects and how did you overcome them?
"How will we be involved to ensure
the end product is exactly the way we want it?"
4. Consistent
Likely, you’re not looking for one perfectly produced product. You’re looking for 100. Or 10,000. Quality control is a vital key to your success. Yes, they can produce, but can they produce over and over again keeping the integrity of the design without defects.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What does your quality control process look like?
- How will we be involved to ensure the end product is exactly the way we want it?
5. Reliable
If they’re on their game, they’ll be able to prove it. Look for examples of their lead times, project quotes, and door to door shipping times.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What percentage of your orders are delivered on time?
- What percentage of completed orders are within your initial quote?
6. Enjoyable
This may seem like a fluff quality at first glance. But, really, do you want to do work with someone who it’s work to work with? Strive to find a company who is an easy and enjoyable business partner for less headaches and more time and energy back in your day.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What is your average Net Promoter Score (NPS)?
- Do you have references from past projects?
7. Established
There are some fantastic start-ups out there pushing the boundaries of innovation and making positive waves across industries. However, when it comes to your product baby, there is a lot to be said for someone who has been around the block (or made it through a recession) a time or two.
Question to ask your manufacturing partner:
- How long have you been involved in OEM?
"What is your team’s communication style?"
8. Professional
Hopefully you won’t be a one-hit wonder, and you’ll be calling upon your manufacturing partner to take on additional orders. Better yet, you’ll ask them to make future iterations of your current design. Are they clear and concise in their abilities? Are they responsive and honest? Do they walk their talk?
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- What is your team’s communication style?
9. Flexible
We’re a fan of process, deadlines, and quality controls. But, blend that with unknown metaphorical wrenches thrown in the works to timelines, product materials, and availability. You need to look for proof of how they can be flexible and adapt to your ever changing needs.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- Do you have minimum orders?
- Do you ship internationally?
10. ISO Certified
A hallmark of an exceptional partner is in its ties to Switzerland. Based out of Geneva, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a non-profit body with over 160 members setting 22,500+ international standards for compatibility, safety, and technological solutions. In short-they set global best practices and companies can get certified for following them.
ISO certification is earned through independent accreditors. It’s not easily gained-with its high financial commitment for training and its thorough conformity assessment, certification, testing, and inspection.
Finding an ISO certified partner is a key sign you’re in good hands.
Questions to ask your manufacturing partner:
- Are you ISO certified?
- What are your minimum quality standards?
By no means is this an all-inclusive list. What other traits do you look for? What hard lessons-learned have you experienced when picking a manufacturing partner?
