For many people, selecting a contract manufacturer is a complicated process. From geographic location, to services offered, there are so many things to consider. Even though you might be tempted to go with your first choice, it’s important to learn all you can before selecting a contract manufacturer to work with. The time and effort spent now is sure to pay off in the future.
Through years of experience, we’ve identified the most common mistakes people make when choosing a contract manufacturer to work with. Unfortunately, mistakes related to price, time, experience, and quality often cause more harm than good.
Price
It’s a common belief that cheaper is better. While this might be true for some things, it isn’t true for electronic components. Cheap components can lead to the creation of poor quality products. This can impact the reputation and credibility of your brand.
When choosing a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to remember that several issues can affect the price of your product including changes you make to the design. If materials, finishes, or processes change, so will your price.
Time
It takes time to develop high quality products. While working with an experienced contract manufacturer can help reduce the time it takes to go to market, they aren’t miracle workers. Be reasonable with your production timeline expectations.
Experience
It’s easy to find a contract manufacturer that can promise to create the product you desire in the timeframe you need. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to find one that can actually deliver what they promise. This is why it’s so important to work with an experienced contract manufacturer.
An experienced contract manufacturer knows how long it will take to create your project. They can provide you with realistic timelines. They also have the people, skills, and technology in place to complete the work. If they can’t do what you request, they can usually direct you to someone who can.
Quality
Forgoing quality for speed is never a good idea. While high quality products might take a little longer and cost a little more to produce, you can rest assured that you’ve done all you can to ensure the quality of your products. This improves consumer trust and increases the chance of repeat sales and referrals.
