contract manufacturer Archives - Page 19 of 33

How to Make the Most of Your Contract Manufacturing Partnership

January 25, 2019 By meiadmin

Companies everywhere strive to keep costs low. Reducing costs on manufacturing increases profits and allows for better allocation of funds. When looking into ways to cut costs, one of the decisions business owners should consider is whether or not to outsource some or all of their production.

Outsourcing allows organizations to create a wide range of products without having to acquire the space, people, equipment, and technology needed for production. This significantly reduces the amount of money spent on producing new products. In addition to reducing production costs, utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer during the design process helps locate unique ways to further reduce costs and improve quality.

Quality contract manufacturers have years of experience. They have access to the latest equipment and technology. They understand how to leverage best practices to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

There are numerous benefits to working with a contract manufacturer. Perhaps the most important is that it frees up time and resources so that leaders can focus on other important aspects of the business.

Contract Negotiations

Just like every other factor in business, organizations should ensure they get the most out of their contract manufacturing partnership. This begins with contract negotiations. It’s crucial that the organization and the CM agree on mutual terms. The contract should establish certain milestones to allow for adequate monitoring of each project’s progression.

During negotiations, it’s important that the organization understands the limitations of the CM. They should negotiate a solid contract that ensures a mutually profitable relationship.

Establish a Lasting Relationship

Contract manufacturers work with their clients to help them succeed. Organizations should take the time needed to build a mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationship.

Quality Management System

One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing is that it allows businesses to increase the quality of finished products. This is why it’s so important to work with an experienced contract manufacturer that has a quality management system in place.

Means Engineering is registered to both ISO 9001 and AS 9100. Companies with these certifications must meet strict requirements for quality control. Our team has years of experience working with a wide range of industries. We provide comprehensive solutions including design, production, and testing of products and components.

Importance of Testing New Products

January 4, 2019 By meiadmin

Product testing is important for a number of reasons. Testing allows an organization to ensure the quality of new products before they go to market. It also helps locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Fixing these issues before products hit the shelf helps prevent possible loss of customers and reputation.

Types of Testing

There are several different types of testing including quality assurance, product reliability testing, and lifecycle testing. Testing typically takes place during the manufacturing phases of product development and is often focused on consumer expectations.

Products for certain industries must meet strict requirements such as products created for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries. Components in these devices must meet a much higher standard than those used in other products.

Some products require Premarket Approval (PMA) testing before being passed on to consumers. This is true for medical devices that support or sustain human life. The proper operation and quality of these devices is crucial to the prevention of illness or injury.

Outsourcing

Organizations often attempt to handle product testing in-house. Unfortunately, this can cost a considerable amount of money. In order to maintain a testing lab, organizations must acquire the appropriate space, equipment, labor, and certificates.

Organizations can benefit from outsourcing testing to a qualified contract manufacturer. A contract manufacturer assists with all parts of production, from design to testing.

Qualified Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for organizations across a wide range of industries. We provide assistance with design, production, and testing of products. Our team has years of experience and understands the unique needs of businesses creating products for industries with complex requirements.

We provide all types of testing including quality assurance, product reliability testing, and lifecycle testing. We our AS 9100 and ISO 9001 certified. This helps us ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Means Engineering tests product functionality off the line. We use predetermined factors to determine the level of testing and scores each product receives. When necessary, we test individual parts as well as finished products to ensure optimal operation and functionality.

Continuous Improvement is Crucial to Success

December 21, 2018 By meiadmin

Organizations that wish to remain successful need to learn to work smarter not harder. This is easier said than done. Businesses often become stuck in their ways, unable to notice the opportunity for improvement. Creating a continuous improvement process can help. This process involves a number of ongoing activities focused on improving products, services, and/or processes.

Continuous improvement activities help locate potential improvement opportunities throughout an organization. This has the added benefit of reminding staff that there is always room to improve.

The Importance of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is crucial to the success of any business. As more and more companies compete for dominance in the marketplace, organizations need to increase productivity, reduce the time it takes to complete certain tasks, increase the quality and consistency of products produced, increase the life cycle of products, and learn how to produce products that consumers actually want. This is especially challenging for manufacturing companies already burdened with multiple tasks.

With continuous assessment and enhancements of products and processes, businesses can improve the level of quality and service they are able to provide. This can have significant benefit on the organization as a whole.

Meeting Consumer Demands

Consumers expect more features than ever before. They also want to know that they can get the product they want, when they want it. This depends heavily on the time it takes for the organization to bring new products to market. Organizations that cannot meet consumer demand often fall behind their competition.

Customers expect high quality at all times. Failing to meet consumer expectations for quality can have a damaging effect on the success and reputation of the business. The cost of poor quality products is often much higher than ensuring the proper assembly and testing of products from the start. Organizations must have adequate measures in place to ensure proper quality. Processes should include quality control, quality assurance, and total quality management.

Outsourcing Helps Organization’s Achieve Continuous Improvement Goals

Outsourcing can be an extremely important part of an organization’s continuous improvement strategy. Utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer reduces time to market and the costs involved with production and testing.

Is Outsourcing Right For You?

December 14, 2018 By meiadmin

Outsourcing is an excellent way to reduce production costs. However, it might not be the perfect solution for every business. Sometimes outsourcing works for certain circumstances and not others. Organizations must consider a number of factors before deciding whether outsourcing is the right choice for their business and/or situation.

Overhead Costs

It takes a lot of resources to produce products. You need the right space, people, equipment, tools, and machinery. Businesses need to consider whether the costs of acquiring these things makes sense for their current situation. Small or newer companies can benefit from outsourcing as they build up the capital needed to handle production in-house.

Companies looking to expand their offerings can also benefit from outsourcing. This allows them to test new markets without the additional expense or hassle involved with purchasing new machinery or locating and hiring experienced staff.

Outsourcing allows organizations to produce a wide range of high quality products using the very best equipment and technology. It also provides access to experienced and knowledgeable individuals. Contract manufacturers often have years of experience working with numerous industries.

You Find it Difficult to Manage Periods of High Demand

Some companies find that they only need to outsource to fill periods of high demand. A contract manufacturer can help ensure that your customers receive their products on-time, without putting additional burden on your staff. This is one of the top reasons companies utilize the help of contract manufacturers.

Lack of New Ideas

In order to stay competitive, companies must continuously develop new ideas. Organizations that are finding it difficult to come up with new ideas might benefit from a fresh perspective. Contract manufacturers assist with all parts of production from design to testing. They know what works and what does not.

Your Company is Better Equipped to Distribute and Sell Your Products

Many companies find that they put more focus on marketing and distribution than they do on creating the actual product. Some organizations simply do not want to deal with the hassle of managing the complexity of the manufacturing process.

Outsourcing allows you to eliminate the costs and hassles involved with production so that you can focus on selling your product. This can significantly improve your marketing, increasing your company’s reputation and the chance of success.

The Value of a Quality Contract Manufacturer

December 7, 2018 By meiadmin

Quality manufacturing is extremely important to the success of any company. Even with the best marketing, sales, and business development, a company will fail without a quality product behind it. In fact, product quality is one of the top factors considered by consumers today.

Outsourcing to an experienced contract manufacturing can help ensure the quality and consistency of products produced. The right contract manufacturer can help your business excel.

There are numerous benefits to outsourcing. Below, we’ll explain the greatest benefits of working with a quality contract manufacturer.

Quality Products

A quality contract manufacturer will have the processes in place to support a number of regulatory requirements. They will have taken the time to obtain certifications including ISO 9001. In order to achieve this prestigious certification, companies must prove that they meet stringent requirements for quality control.

Avoid Risks

Partnering with a contract manufacturer is ideal for companies looking to market new products without the risks and costs involved with manufacturing. A contract manufacturer provides all of the equipment, tools, technology, and people needed to create high quality products. Contract manufacturers typically offer a wide range of services including design, production, and testing of a variety of products.

It’s important to choose an experienced contract manufacturer to work with. This helps ensure they understand your audience and any regulatory or compliance requirements associated with creating products for your industry. A quality contract manufacturer will work directly with you to ensure products are created to your exact requirements and specifications.

Reduced Costs

In addition to eliminating the costs associated with acquiring the right equipment, technology, and people, outsourcing to a contract manufacturer allows you to cut costs on production. Because of the large amount of raw materials contract manufacturers purchase, they can often produce products at a lower cost than possible in-house.

Using a contract manufacturer during the design process can help you locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Contract manufacturers know how to adjust product materials and measurements without affecting the quality of the finished product. In fact, many changes made by your contract manufacturer might actually improve the overall quality of the product produced.

Working with the right contract manufacturer helps increase quality, reduce costs, and eliminate risk. It just doesn’t make sense not to outsource.