Choosing a parts manufacturer for your business can be a difficult process. Much like hiring an employee, selecting the right candidate to provide your company with high-quality parts is an investment that requires you to consider many factors. Price and subsequent value are not the only major points to highlight. You also want to build a partnership with a company that is reliable, responsible, and offers customer service that rivals the high-quality of their materials.
As you begin to consider enlisting the expertise of a parts manufacturer, we suggest that you develop a strategic approach that will lead you to the right fit. Understanding your own specific needs and becoming aware of how the benefits offered by a parts supplier can meet them will help you keep your priorities and goals in focus. You’ll also want to come prepared with detailed questions that will further highlight a manufacturer’s ability to successfully provide you with a high-quality product and service to match.
SIMTEC has years of experience meeting the production needs of companies throughout nearly every industry. We understand that selecting a parts manufacturer is not a decision that’s made lightly and we encourage all of our customers to gain a firm understanding of which characteristics the ideal supplier will possess. To aid you in finding the best match for your unique needs, we’ve gathered informative tips and helpful advice that will enable you to quickly locate the right parts manufacturer for your project.
BENEFITS OF HIRING A PARTS MANUFACTURER
Employing the knowledge, skills, and expertise of an external parts manufacturer is an effective way to reduce the overall costs associated with getting your product to market. Companies large and small outsource specific elements of their production to specialists who can quickly deliver high-quality parts at affordable prices. Why should you hire a parts supplier?
- They can help reduce your overhead costs. Though investing in your own manufacturing machinery is a way to keep the complete production process within the capabilities of your business, this investment can make it difficult to become cost-competitive. From the initial purchase and maintenance of the machinery to budget needed to train and employ qualified machinists, the overhead expense of production can be high. A parts manufacturer absorbs these costs, allowing you to solely pay for the parts and service.
- Their expertise is valuable. You may have an expertise in the design and mechanics of a product but how specialized are you in creating the individual components? Trusting your parts production to a manufacturer supplier means enlisting their advanced technical knowledge and skills to create each essential piece. Many of these services may also have access to cutting-edge technologies and may be well-versed in the latest techniques that can help create a reliable product that can meet or exceed industry standards.
- They are flexible and agile enough to meet your growing needs. As your company grows, your needs and requirements may change. This means potentially having to upgrade, rework, or augment your own production operation. When you trust your parts manufacturing to an experienced supplier, their flexibility to maintain your continued growth and agility to adjust to new processes will keep production on schedule. Their swift and accountable response to change ensures your business is not interrupted.
- They offer an added level of support. You have a team of dedicated employees supporting your vision — why not bolster that encouragement by investing in a partnership with a production facility? A parts manufacturer can offer you more than high-quality products. Building a long-term relationship with a production firm can lead to rewarding benefits that bring success to both parties.
- They allow you to focus on your business. Whether you’re trying to expand your business or prototyping a new product in the development stage of a new venture, you likely have enough responsibilities to juggle. Managing a successful production line doesn’t need to be one of them. A parts supplier realizes its core competency and can effortlessly take care of your parts production. With your parts manufacturing off of your plate, you can focus your own efforts on increasing revenue and profit.
Whether you have a prototype, small batch fulfillment or need large-scale production completed, producing your own parts can be a costly and time-consuming process. Instead of attempting to perform duties that do not align with your company’s expertise, allow an experienced parts manufacturer meet your production needs so you can remain attentive to the areas of your business that require your knowledge and skill.
5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A PARTS MANUFACTURER
Enlisting the aid of a reliable parts manufacturer is a wise decision that could benefit your business, however, there are other considerations to be made before you commit to a particular supplier. Selecting a parts manufacturer is an important step in building the foundation for your long-term success. Finding the right supplier that can sufficiently meet your specific needs begins by first understanding how these companies can benefit you most. We’ve gathered the following tips that will help you identify the qualities of the ideal parts manufacturer.
1. FIND A SUPPLIER WITH A GOOD REPUTATION
The reputation of a business is essential to its success. Reputation can be measured by a number of factors including organizational ethics, financial performance, leadership and management, social responsibility, reliability, quality of products and services, and the focus on the customer. This also includes a company’s digital reputation, which can significantly influence a consumer’s trust in the business. When companies have a positive reputation in the marketplace, it can convince a consumer to choose that business over competitors that may offer the same products or services.
You pride yourself not only on your products but on your service as well. To safeguard your reputation for quality, those you work with should also be committed to elevating your reputation by upholding their own. If they are known for their reliability, then your orders should be consistently filled on-time. If they’re known for their customer service, they should effectively communicate their abilities and work to continue earning your trust and business. Remember — if your supplier falls short of expectations, it could negatively impact your customers.
2. UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS OF “LOW-PRICED” MANUFACTURERS
Every business, no matter how financially stable, seeks to lower overall expenses at every opportunity possible. One way this goal can be achieved is to lower the cost of production by selecting a parts manufacturer that offers low-priced material creation. Though a low price tag for an increased rate of production is tempting, you should exercise caution before choosing a parts manufacturer solely to decrease the amount of an invoice.
Though low-cost companies may offer incentives such as reduced production time or a price-break for higher order quantities, they may be putting their own profit margins at risk. Ultimately, to provide their customers with the lowest costs of production, they’ll likely need to cut their own operating expenses elsewhere. If they cannot find a way to offer low rates to their customers while keeping their own business in the black, it could jeopardize their future. If your company doesn’t have a backup supplier, your business in jeopardy too.
3. ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRICE AND VALUE
The terms ‘price’ and ‘value’ are not interchangeable. In fact, the differences between the two are significant — price is arbitrary while the value is the perceived benefits received divided by the perceived price. Although you may want to minimize your expenses as much as possible, you shouldn’t risk reducing the quality of your product just to save on manufacturing costs.
Keep in mind that you’re paying for more than just the cost of the part. You’re also paying for the service the manufacturer offers, the knowledge they have about the process, and the expertise that sets them apart from competitors. The overall value you receive from your cost will be a combination of the quality, commitment, reliability, and service they deliver to you.
4. DISCOVER THE QUALITY OF THEIR PARTS BEFORE COMMITTING
The quality of your product should be one of your top priorities. Quality products benefit your business by meeting customer expectations and industry standards and by managing your costs and reputation. The reliability of consistent quality will build trust with your customers. It’s essential that your product is manufactured with the highest quality parts you can source.
You’ll want to test the performance of a manufacturer’s parts, especially if you’re prototyping a new product. A good parts manufacturer will demonstrate their confidence in their product by allowing you view and demonstrate examples of their past creations and even allow you to request samples of your own design. Though some manufacturers may charge a small production fee to process a sample run of your desired parts, this small investment will help you determine whether or not their parts are sufficient for your product.
5. FIND A PARTS MANUFACTURER THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR BUSINESS
You’re doing more than choosing a supplier for your parts — you’re creating a partnership. Though the primary goal is to find a parts manufacturer that will create efficient and affordable parts for your product, there’s an opportunity for the business relationship to grow both of your long-term interests. This partnership is an investment in success for both parties, a mutually beneficial partnership that could positively impact each business in drastic ways. A good supplier will strive to improve the partnership so that you can build success together.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR PARTS MANUFACTURER
Although you may have identified a parts manufacturer that offers reliable service and exceptional products, you still need to discover whether or not they can meet your specific needs adequately. Price of production, order quantities, delivery, and level of cooperation are all factors in determining the right parts supplier for your business. As you create a list of potential suppliers, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Do you require minimum orders?
A minimum order quantity, also referred to as an MOQ, is the lowest amount of items a manufacturer will produce for you in a single run. One of the first questions you need to have answered before selecting a parts manufacturer is whether or not a minimum production order must be placed. If you’re a growing business, it may not be feasible for you to invest in a large-scale production run. You should choose a supplier that will cater to your specific order needs.
- What is your production pricing and do you offer sample pricing?
No matter how willing a manufacturer is to meet your needs, you should only invest in a supplier that caters to your budget. The cost of production — whether by the item, order quantity, or production run — needs to enable your business to turn a profit. Ask how their production rates are set and if they offer discounts for higher quantity orders.
You may also want to sample their products before you place an order. Some may offer free samples while others may reduce the production cost for small sample sized orders. Requesting a sample batch not only allows you to get a sense of the product itself, but it also may give you insight into their turnaround time and payment terms.
- What is your turnaround time and can delivery times adjust as needed?
A consistent and reliable turnaround time is essential for your business. If you cannot receive your order on-time, every time, then it may negatively impact your business and potentially cause you to lose customers. You need a parts supplier that can meet their commitment to production completion. You should also learn if delivery times can be expedited should you need to meet a high demand within a strict timeframe.
- What additional support do you provide to your clients?
The ideal manufacturer will do more than merely provide you with your parts. They will build a partnership through strong service and honest communication. They’ll understand your needs and use their own knowledge and expertise to advise you throughout the production process. They’ll be committed to helping you reach your goals by suggesting ways you can reduce costs, market your product, or make your product more efficient. They’ll strive to meet and exceed your expectations because ultimately, your success is their success.
If your business requires high-quality custom liquid silicone rubber (LSR) parts, SIMTEC can immediately fulfill your needs. We are an environmentally responsible company that offers complete turnkey solutions for businesses throughout a spectrum of industries. Our LSR injection molding services have manufactured billions of versatile components in an infinite variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and configurations. SIMTEC’s advanced silicone production capabilities enable us to achieve a quick production turnaround while still maintaining one of the lowest defect rates in the industry.
For years, our unparalleled materials have been trusted around the globe in thousands of demanding applications. SIMTEC implements a rigorous quality control system that ensures that each part is thoroughly inspected and produced without flaw. Our dedication to the highest standards of quality and service push us to provide consistent on-time delivery and offer the most competitive pricing in the industry. We also provide our customers with a number of other post-production solutions including post-curring, through marking, and packaging processes.
Most importantly, SIMTEC takes pride in being an expert in custom liquid silicone rubber injection molding. We invest in the latest technology and provide our employees with extensive training, continually striving to deliver the absolute best LSR parts in the industry. Our goal is to provide our customers with a superior level of service and the most innovative LSR solutions possible.
Selecting a liquid silicone rubber parts manufacturer doesn’t need to be difficult. SIMTEC’s ability to assist customers through the entire production process, produce the highest-quality LSR parts, commit to a swift turnaround time, and offer unrivaled customer service has made us a preferred global injection molding partner to companies large and small. To begin bringing your part into production, contact us to receive a free quote for your project today.