Partnering with a contract manufacturer provides numerous benefits for companies of all shapes and sizes. The right contract manufacturer can help your business grow and expand into new markets. However, it’s important to take some time to research several companies before selecting a contract manufacturer to work with. This is crucial, as you’ll want to make sure the company you work with provides flexibility and room for growth. This helps ensure a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.
You’ll want to ask the following questions prior to selecting a CM:
Does the contract manufacturer provide information when requested?
During the interview process, you’ll want to look for a CM that provides information about the manufacturing process, material costs, labor costs, and other overhead costs when asked. If the company you speak with is not upfront and open now, you might have trouble getting information later.
Does the contract manufacturer have a quality assurance program in place?
The right contract manufacturer can help your company produce high quality products and components. However, it’s important to remember that quality can vary from one CM to the next. In order to ensure the highest quality, look for a contract manufacturer that has adopted a comprehensive Quality Management System. The CM you choose should be registered to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.
Is the contract manufacturer’s facility neat and organized?
The cleanliness and organization of a CM’s facility can tell you a lot about how serious they are about quality control. A clean, well-lit, and organized facility ensures projects are completed in a safe and professional manner.
Is the contract manufacturer the right size for your business?
It’s important to select the right-size contract manufacturer for your business. If you are a small to mid-size company, you probably don’t have the same needs as a larger organization. In fact, a larger scale CM might not even take smaller projects.
Will the contract manufacturer protect your intellectual property?
Make sure that the contract manufacturer you choose has processes in place to protect your intellectual property from possible infringes. Don’t be afraid to ask the CM about how they plan to protect your sensitive information.
Means Engineering, Inc. offers a variety of contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for more information about our services.
