The how to manufacture a product step is always the longest in the entire process.
Some of the major decision points to be made are:
- Do I want to manufacture domestically in lower batches to start
- Will I later want to move manufacturing off-shore to reduce costs? Do I want to off-shore it straight from the beginning
- How flexible am I on material, process, dimensional tolerances, and surface finish
- How drastic will quality control issues be? Could I rework locally?
- What is the lowest quantity that the manufacturer will accept an order for?
- Now negotiate this lower, reduce inventory costs
- Can I find a manufacturer that will white label or drop ship for me? This could be great at reducing inventory
- Am I dealing directly with the manufacturer or with an agent?
- How will I perform inspections and other quality control before the factory ships
- What is the manufacturers’ warranty? When does the warranty clock start? Will I have to return every defective component?
- Will they agree to not sell our designs or products to another company?
