southern california contract manufacturer Archives - Page 2 of 15

Understanding the Difference Between Private Label and Contract Manufacturing

December 26, 2020 By meiadmin

Despite the differences, many people believe that Private Label and Contract Manufacturing are the same. Both forms of manufacturing are prevalent in numerous industries. Each has its own benefits. When looking to outsource, organizations must decide which solution works better for their situation and business.

Private Label Manufacturing

A Private Label Manufacturer provides organizations with products marketed under the brand name or label of the company that partners with them. With this type of manufacturing, the manufacturer retains control over the product, including its specifications and quality.

Private Label Manufacturers often sell low-cost alternatives to popular products branded as the company that hires them. This makes it possible for big box stores to offer their own brand beside other well-known brands.

Contract Manufacturing

Contract Manufacturing involves outsourcing the manufacturing process to another company. Contract Manufacturers do not own the product and cannot change the specifications without prior approval from the company that hires them.

Benefits of Private Label

Private Label allows stores to offer their own brand at a lower price point than other, more popular brands. This can improve sales and increase consumer respect for store brands. With Private Label, organizations do not need to worry about developing design plans or tweaking formulas.

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

Utilizing the help of a Contract Manufacturer allows organizations to produce high quality products that meet their exact specifications and requirements. Using a Contract Manufacturer costs less than producing products in-house. It also puts organizations in reach of experienced professionals. CMs often provide advice and guidance, allowing OEMs to improve product quality and reduce time to market.

Final Thoughts

Both Private Label and Contract Manufacturing allow organizations to bring quality products to market. While Private Label does not allow the purchaser to modify or change the product, Contract Manufacturing enables companies to produce products to their own specifications. Having control over the production process allows organizations to adjust to meet the needs of consumers.

The type of manufacturing an organization chooses will depend on numerous factors. Organizations should fully evaluate their needs before making a decision.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services to organizations and OEMs across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for information about our services.

Using a Contract Manufacturer to Turn Ideas Into Reality

December 18, 2020 By meiadmin

Entrepreneurs and inventors come up with new ideas all the time. Although many of these ideas could potentially improve quality of life for people around the world, most never make it off the drawing board.

Creating new products takes a lot of time and money. Inventors must obtain the right amount of space, people, equipment, and technology to produce products in-house. They also need to ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations. This often requires obtaining ISO certification. It is for these reasons and more that many inventors believe that they simply do not have the resources needed to turn their ideas into reality. Fortunately, entrepreneurs and inventors have another option.

Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer not only gets ideas off the ground, it can help ensure the quality and consistency of products produced. This can make even start-ups look like they’ve been in business for decades.

Product Design

Before contacting a contract manufacturer, it’s important that inventors put together their design plans. Using CAD software is the easiest way to create drawings to share with others. It’s also important that inventors consider the types of materials they’d like to use to create their product.

The contract manufacturer you choose will review the design plans and make suggestions. It’s important to listen to these suggestions as they could improve the quality of the finished product or reduce the costs involved with its creation.

Locate an Experienced Contract Manufacturer

When searching for a contract manufacturer, inventors should look for a CM with experience working with the type of product they’d like to produce. If the product contains electrical or mechanical components, the inventor will want to find an experienced electrical contract manufacturer (ECM).

Expect the Unexpected

Even the simplest design can run into problems during production. It might be impossible to procure parts or there could be problems with the design. While these issues might seem like a major problem, the contract manufacturer has probably dealt with similar issues before. They’re well positioned to make suggestions to keep the project moving in the right direction.

Working Towards Mass Production

Once inventors have a fully functional prototype, they can start thinking about moving to production. The right contract manufacturer can provide advice and guidance as inventors take this important step.

Means Engineering provides a variety of contract manufacturing services. Please contact us for details.

4 Ways Contract Manufacturing Can Help Your Organization

December 11, 2020 By meiadmin

Contract manufacturing offers numerous benefits to organizations both large and small. Contract manufacturing reduces the costs associated with the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Utilizing a contract manufacturer also makes it possible for businesses to grow and expand into new markets without having to invest in additional people, training, and equipment.

Improved Design

An experienced CM provides a variety of services. When utilized during the design phase, a contract manufacturer acts as a second set of eyes for design plans. This can help organizations locate new ways to improve the design of the product. Changes suggested by a CM often help reduce the costs associated with production and improve the quality and reliability of finished products. This can benefit both the OEM and the end user.

Better Quality and Consistency

Contract manufacturers often have strict quality control standards. They keep up with changing rules and regulations regarding product creation for different industries. The right CM has the people, experience, and expertise needed to improve the quality of a wide range of products.

Lower Costs

In order to produce products and components, organizations must obtain appropriate space, people, equipment, and machinery. Using a contract manufacturer allows OEMs to produce a wide range of products without spending a lot of money on labor, supplies, equipment, and equipment maintenance. Cost savings is one of the top reasons that organizations utilize contract manufacturing.

Faster Turnaround

Contract manufacturers have established relationships with suppliers. This allows them to obtain materials faster. Because CMs have experience working with several different companies, they understand how to reduce production time and ensure high quality products. This allows organizations to bring new products to market faster.

Experienced Southern California Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides a variety of contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. Our team of experienced professionals works directly with each of our clients to improve product quality, reduce time to market, and help organizations as they grow and expand into new markets.

Please contact us to learn how our services can help your organization fulfill periods of high demand or launch a new product.

Medical Device Creation – Ensuring a Successful Contract Manufacturing Relationship

November 20, 2020 By meiadmin

Contract manufacturing enables organizations to produce products without the large expense of machinery and technology or the operating costs associated with manufacturing. While contract manufacturing offers numerous benefits to companies across a wide range of industries, there are significant benefits for the medical equipment and device segment.

Strict requirements and the need for machinery capable of creating precision-dependent products often creates a barrier for organizations wishing to enter the medical device industry. These same factors cause many OEMs to leave the market as well. Organizations could benefit from utilizing the help of an experienced medical device contract manufacturer.

Hiring a contract manufacturer allows OEMs to spend less capital, hire fewer employees, spend less time and effort on quality control, and eliminate purchasing hassles. The contract manufacturer handles procurement, production, and testing, allowing the OEM to focus on other important aspects of their business.

Organizations wishing to hire a contract manufacturer should consider it as they would any other long-term business relationship. Before selecting a CM, it’s important to gather as much information as possible.

Selecting a Contract Manufacturer

OEMs should take care to ensure they fully understand the capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, and experience of the contract manufacturer they choose. It’s highly suggested that OEMs develop a list of questions prior to contacting and interviewing each CM. It might also be beneficial for the OEM to contact some of the CM’s customers for feedback.

Process Development

After selecting a contract manufacturer, the development process begins. If this is an existing product being transferred from the OEM, all existing work instructions and raw material sources get shared with the CM at this point. During a series of “knowledge transfer” meetings, the OEM and their staff provide as much information as possible about the manufacturing process. These meetings shouldn’t just include engineers and operators, assembly workers with experience creating the part should be involved as well.

For new products, the contract manufacturer will need to develop the manufacturing process and supply chain. However, it’s still important for the OEM to provide input and knowledge as necessary.

Training & Process Qualification

Once the process is defined, operator training and qualifications begin. Regardless of the type of product, there are standards and optimum processes to adhere to. This is especially true when producing medical devices. These devices face some of the strictest quality standards.

Pilot Builds

The pilot build allows OEMs and contract manufacturers to locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This is the stage when the OEM or CM makes adjustments to the work flows and/or the work instructions.

Entering the Production Phase

Following the pilot build, the CM begins production of the product. It’s crucial that OEMs provide an accurate demand forecast at this point. This helps the CM determine raw material procurement schedules and reorder points.

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for the medical device industry. Please contact us for details.

How Start-Ups & Entrepreneurs Utilize Contract Manufacturing

November 13, 2020 By meiadmin

Entrepreneurs face many challenges when starting a business. In addition to figuring out how to properly market and brand their business, they must also determine how to bring new products to market. Obtaining office space and hiring and training marketing personnel and office management takes up a significant portion of a start-up’s budget, leaving very little to produce prototypes. Unfortunately, it’s not likely that a start-up will receive funding without a tangible product that investors can see and touch.

Outsourcing makes it possible for entrepreneurs and start-ups to produce products without acquiring additional space, equipment, machinery, or people. Utilizing a contract manufacturer not only saves money, it eliminates many of the issues commonly faced by new businesses.

Creating High Quality Products

No one wants to purchase an inferior product. Manufacturers must ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Contract manufacturers often have years of experience. They provide a second set of eyes for design plans. When utilized during the design phase, contract manufacturers help spot areas that could benefit from improvement. This helps avoid costly repairs and recalls, saving the organization time and money and helping ensure customer satisfaction.

Ensuring Compliance with Industry Regulations

It’s important that manufacturers remain compliant with the safety and environmental regulations of their industry. Experienced contract manufacturers, like Means Engineering, carry multiple industry certifications to ensure compliance with internationally recognized standards for both safety and quality.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to locate an established organization with experience working with multiple industries. Even if the organization does not plan to move into new markets, knowing this option is available can make a big difference if anything changes in the future.

For organizations that plan to obtain their own manufacturing equipment, building a good relationship with a contract manufacturer ensures the continuous flow of products. Contract manufacturers often help businesses fulfill orders during periods of high demand.

Means Engineering provides comprehensive contract manufacturing services for businesses across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for more information about our services.