Posts Tagged ‘Contract Manufacturer’
The Power of Contract Manufacturing: How It Can Drive Down Costs and Increase Flexibility
The contract manufacturing industry is thriving globally due to its ability to drive the immense reduction in the cost of manufacturing goods and to grant companies increased flexibility faster than traditional methods.
In this article, we’ll take you through the primary reasons why contract manufacturing can deliver improved cost performance and production flexibility.
Reduce Labor Costs
Labor cost is a key element in the manufacturing industry. Typically, the labor is more expensive when you are from the developed world. So it makes more sense to outsource your production to China.
Depending on how far along you are in manufacturing your product, you may be paying upwards of 50-70% for labor costs.
When shifting to contract manufacturing, it’s typical to see those costs reduce by 30-50%. While lower costs aren’t guaranteed, there’s plenty of room for negotiation based on your volume requirements.
In some cases, companies have been able to negotiate down as much as 80% of their original labor costs. This is a massive saving that can help you create a more profitable business model from day one.
Reduced Capital Requirements
If you’re not ready to invest in building an in-house engineering team and buying expensive equipment, contract manufacturing is the best option to help you get a product to market with minimal risk.
You simply pay for services as needed rather than extra investment, otherwise, that will be a waste of having a facility with equipment that sits idle most of the time.
Some manufacturers may even let you use their machinery at fairly lower prices if you hold an order of larger quantities or have a good relationship with them.
Typically, a professional contract manufacturing company focuses more on improving efficiency. They have a pool of in-house specialized engineers because a company’s production efficiency obviously cannot be improved overnight.
Increase Inventory Flexibility
Since you are not tied to a specific factory, you can switch manufacturing plants at any time without having to change production plans. This gives you increased flexibility for where and when you buy raw materials as well as components needed for your product. In this case, you will never be stuck with too much or too little inventory if you have contract manufacturing.
Meanwhile, when you work with contract manufacturers, they handle all aspects of manufacturing including procurement and logistics.
The cost savings associated with using a third-party supplier is passed on to you in terms of lower prices. In addition, because these companies specialize in one aspect of manufacturing (such as PCB assembly), they do it better than anyone else in their field which means they can offer better quality products at competitive prices.
Increase Manufacturing Experience
If you choose a professional contract manufacturer who is specialized in what they do, you will be worry-free in many situations.
The most important one is that they usually have a customized plan for you to meet your needs in production, quality standards and lead time. It will be easier and more effective to get your project done.
The other excellent experience for you if you have a professional contract manufacturing firm is that they have one-stop supply chain services to deal with from sourcing, quality control, warehousing and shipping. With these services, you can save your time and money in finding other third-party companies for your business.
Manufacturing In China With Confidence
Contract manufacturing is only becoming more prevalent as time goes on. When your company needs contract manufacturing services, come to Shield Works. We take care of every aspect for you, so you can focus on innovation and launching products as quickly as possible.
With our well-established facility based in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, we offer a range of services to accommodate your needs, from a one-time contract manufacturing and precision assembly to warehousing and fulfilment, without ever worrying about inventory or quality control. Our production process is streamlined, efficient, and optimized – so no matter what phase your business is in, we can take care of you.
We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and British background management experience. Contact us to find out how we can help with your project!
The Benefits of Using a Contract Manufacturer
Manufacturing continues to grow throughout the years and has become incredibly profitable. Did you know that manufacturers contribute about $2.71 trillion each year?
If you’re thinking about using a contract manufacturer, you might wonder if it’s worth it. There are several benefits to using one, and some might surprise you! Read this guide on the various benefits of using a contract manufacturer today.
Keep Costs Low
Contract manufacturing is a great way to reduce the cost of your services and products. This is because there’s a lower chance of errors. You can also benefit from bulk purchasing and skilled labor.
All of this can lead to satisfied customers since you can lower the cost of goods. Manufacturing businesses specialize in high-volume production lines and cutting costs.
This means that you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about production or making errors. Many companies are experts in their field and what they sell, but they struggle with the production process. That’s where a contract manufacturer comes in.
Save Money
Did you know that manufacturing accounts for 12% of the U.S. economy? You’ll be able to save money since you won’t have to worry about buying equipment for production. Skilled laborers will already have the equipment that you need.
If a product is high in demand, a manufacturer can focus on decreasing the time that it’ll take.
Test Products
You can test products before they’re in the hands of your customers. This is a great way to save money by not producing a defective design.
Determine what the needs of your business are since each manufacturing company could offer different services. They can also make changes to the product as necessary.
They can improve the products, increase the production rate, and give you great profit margins.
Professionalism
Product manufacturing companies will provide you with products without errors. This will help the reputation of your company.
Some companies will try to do production on their own and then make a grave error. Let a manufacturer perform production and watch your production rates increase.
They can also bring fresh, new ideas to your products. Manufacturers are experts in design and can help your product shine.
Improved Efficiency
Many manufacturers learn how to reduce waste. They can perform various tasks such as painting, machining, difficult assembly, welding, etc. This can help reduce the manufacturing costs for your company.
Manufacturing companies can also provide you with more flexibility. Whether you’re looking to scale production, develop products at the same time, etc.
You can start and schedule projects when it makes the most sense for your business. You’ll also know that they’re using the top-of-the-line equipment in the company to provide you with high-quality products.
Save Resources
Since they’re knowledgeable about reducing waste, you can lessen your carbon footprint. This also means fewer costs for you.
Your staff will have more time to work on business tasks. You can focus on your business, marketing, etc.
If you wanted to do production yourself, you’d need to hire a large staff. This could include operators, engineers, managers, etc.
Whereas contract manufacturers already have their staff in place. You’ll have a large team working on your products without having to worry about shifts, payroll, or hiring workers.
Sell Your Products Sooner
Since managers can create your products fast, you can get your products out there to the consumers quicker. There are different methods such as CNC machining and Rapid prototyping that can help speed up the process.
You might be able to get your products out there in a few weeks!
Various Options
They can handle various aspects of the manufacturing process. These can include material purchases, product design for manufacturing, assembly, packaging, etc.
Since everything is happening under one roof, it reduces costs for you. They’ll handle the difficult parts of the manufacturing process so you as a business owner can have less stress.
Deadlines and Estimates
You’ll know in advance how much to budget for the process. They’ll provide you with a detailed estimate before they begin.
This will make it less likely that you’ll experience delays or unexpected costs. They’ll also be able to tell you how long it should take.
Improved Communication
If you try to have the product manufacturing process internally, you’ll need to contact multiple vendors at all times. Through contract manufacturing, you’ll be able to stay in communication with them. You won’t have to worry about a response.
Who Can Benefit From Manufacturing Contract Companies?
Most businesses can benefit from contract manufacturers. You might decide to use product assembly services in China since it’ll save your business money. Keep in mind that how skilled a manufacturer is will vary.
Some ways they can help include:
- Packaging products
- Manufacturing products manually
- Product assembly
- Creating computer models of products
- And more
When you’re first starting out with a production company, it’s a good idea to test out a contract manufacturer. See how their production process is and if it slows you down. You might find that you’ll have more time to focus on your business and productivity will increase overall.
Understanding the Benefits of a Contract Manufacturer
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of the benefits of a contract manufacturer. Take your time deciding if it’s right for your business.
Are you ready to speed up the process of manufacturing in your business?
Contact us today! We offer customized manufacturing, including developing new processes, using top-notch equipment, and customizing work procedures.
6 Tips for Outsourcing Electronic Manufacturing to China
Do you have an electronic product or system design that’s perfect, but don’t have the budget to manufacture it? Would you like to get your product on the market faster than would be possible by in-house manufacturing? If so, consider outsourcing some or all of your manufacturing to China. If you choose to do this, it’s important to plan ahead and ensure that everything will run smoothly. Here are six tips for outsourcing electronic manufacturing to China
Start Small
If you have no experience with manufacturing, then begin by outsourcing one small job. This will give you valuable insight into how your product is made and how much it will cost. If everything works out, then you can consider larger production runs later on. It’s important to remember that outsourced electronic manufacturing is generally a process-driven industry, which means costs vary greatly based on scale. In addition, don’t forget that different suppliers specialize in different areas of electronic manufacturing, so choose wisely and select a company that specializes in your specific product!
Choose a Reputable Supplier
While there are numerous suppliers located in China, it’s important to choose one that is reliable, bilingual and experienced with western culture. The process of outsourcing electronic manufacturing to Chinese factories is a detailed one, and requires a bilingual manufacturer with experience in your product industry. Asking around at trade shows or on websites such as Alibaba can help you find just that. Once you’ve found a factory you like, make sure to check out their work (website photos are not always representative of actual products), and write up an agreement that outlines both parties’ responsibilities before any manufacturing begins. Once you have a contract signed by both parties, it is time to start gathering documentation required by customs officials.
Understand Costs
Before you outsource, it’s important to understand your costs. You need a good sense of what you’re going to have to spend in order to get your electronic product made in Asia. If you are outsourcing electronic manufacturing in Shenzhen, China, take some time and learn about all of your options before making a final decision. Costs can vary depending on if you are looking at domestic Chinese companies or manufacturers that are located outside of Shenzhen but still within Mainland China. Some companies will quote higher prices due to their experience working with larger manufacturers and being able to offer high-quality parts faster than smaller shops who may not be as experienced with large OEM orders.
Get Samples
Before you invest in getting a bunch of units manufactured, it’s always good to try a sample run first. This way, you can test whether there are any flaws with your design and get a sense of how many revisions your manufacturer will ask for before they produce quality products. There are also some up-front costs associated with getting samples, but it’s still much cheaper than going through a full production run only to find out that something is wrong. And once you’ve got samples in hand, you can even use them as leverage to negotiate better prices from your factory.
Save Money with Fewer Prototypes
When developing a new circuit, it’s important to test each new iteration by building a prototype. Unfortunately, prototyping is expensive, especially when you factor in labor costs. The more prototypes you need to create and test, the higher your bill will grow. One way to save money on manufacturing is outsourcing your prototyping work overseas. You can get a board made quickly and affordably at Chinese manufacturing houses like Seeed Studio and Canavas.
Make Your Specs Simple
To reduce costs, you should make your specifications as clear and simple as possible. This is especially true in regards to materials selection. For example, if you need 100 circuit boards made and one of them requires a rare-earth element found only in one mine in Russia, be sure that’s stated up front. On top of reducing costs, clear specs also improve communication between you and your manufacturer.
Shield Works is one of your best choices with a self-owned IP protection zone, in-house bilingual engineering team and over 16 years of experience of manufacturing in China for clients worldwide, especially in electronic manufacturing. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested.
Outsourced OEM Production: Is It Always the Best Choice?
If you’re the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of a design spec, then production is one of your most important considerations. Unfortunately, many companies stumble when it decides to make their OEM products in-house or through outsourcing. In most cases, outsourced OEM products are cheaper and quicker.
But, is this always the best course of action? In this article, we’ll explore whether or not outsourcing your OEM production is the best course of action. Let’s get started!
Outsourced OEM Production
Outsourcing your OEM production involves allowing another manufacturer to produce your product. You keep all the trademarks and intellectual property, but another company does the production.
Most often, this is done with multinational suppliers. Consulting companies with expertise in finding manufacturers will usually help you get in touch with the right company. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons involved in this method.
Advantages
The biggest advantage that comes with OEM production is cost. Since the outsourcing company is creating your product in bulk, you typically end up saving money on production costs. What’s more, the final product is generally of superior quality. As long as you have strict testing standards, then the outsource OEM firm should be able to meet them if they’re competent.
Many outsourced OEM companies also have specialized technology that allows them to create components you wouldn’t be able to create on your own. In the past, OEM production typically only worked for larger companies. However, this is beginning to change. Smaller companies with excellent design skills can take advantage of this type of outsourcing.
It allows them to avoid dealing with factory floor production skills, which take a lot of energy and money to manage. Instead, they can focus on more design and promotion while allowing a skilled workforce to handle the production.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, there are some downsides to outsourcing your OEM productions. For one thing, you’re at the mercy of your supplier when it comes to quality control. As such, you’re responsible for any problems that might occur at the end of the day. Furthermore, you may have difficulty finding an OEM production firm that’s willing to take you on.
These companies generally only like dealing with clients that create a lot of demand. As such, smaller companies may have a difficult time finding multinational production firms, especially if their products are hard to make.
Finally, if you don’t go with a company that you’re sure of, then you may be at risk of property theft. This occurs when a manufacturer infringes or steals your intellectual property right. It occurs enough in the business, that you should inquire what the company is doing to fight against it.
In-House OEM Production
In-house production put vertical integration ahead of scale and affordability. Typically, in-house OEM production worked best for smaller companies. However, that’s beginning to change. Let’s take a lot at some of the pros and cons involved in this method.
Advantages
The biggest advantage to in-house production is the amount of control you get over your product. As the OEM, you’re naturally an expert when it comes to producing your work. As such, you don’t need to spend time teaching someone else to make it. In-house can also be more advantageous when it comes to scheduling concerns.
Since you don’t need to ship your product or parts over long distances, you can meet your scheduling needs more easily. In-house production also allows you to make more advanced components.
If your product requires a specific part that’s difficult to make, then you’ll have a lot of difficulties finding an OEM manufacturer to make it. However, with enough demand, you can find some custom manufacturing options.
Disadvantages
It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that there’s a huge shortage of skilled workers in America. Though this problem was a long time coming, it’s been exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the New York Times predicts that two million skilled jobs could go unfilled by 2025.
As such, finding workers for your in-house production may prove difficult. Another big factor is that it will cost even more to make your product in-house. The sad reality is that overseas production is much more affordable than domestic. What’s more, outsourced OEM production is typically higher in quality than in-house. So, ultimately, you’ll be paying more for a potentially inferior product.
Why China Is Uniquely Qualified to Handle OEM Product Manufacturing
There’s a reason why the vast majority of OEM outsourced production goes toward China. China accounts for over 28% of all global manufacturing output. The advanced production capabilities in the country make it easy to meet huge product numbers at an affordable price.
In particular, clothing and electronic brands like Nike and Apple outsource their manufacturing work to the company. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, China is poised to be one of the first countries to dive back into the manufacturing industry.
Despite being one of the early countries to be hit, the government has been able to largely contain the spread within the country. As such, China will have more skilled laborers than many other countries combined to meet OEM product demands.
Ready to Save Money On Your OEM Production? Contact Shield Works
We hope this article helped you learn whether or not outsourced OEM product manufacturing is the right decision for your company. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific set-up. But, the right arrangement can allow the company to divide and conquer in ways that are simply impossible while maintaining an in-house division.
So, how do you find the right manufacturer? Look no further than Shield Works. Our British-owned company works out of China to provide you with affordable manufacturing solutions, as well as expertise in nearly every product category. But, don’t take our word on it. Contact us today so we can walk you through what we can do for you.
All About Contract Manufacturing in China: 5 Tips
It’s no secret that outsourcing your manufacturing obligations can save you plenty of time and money. In fact, China is one of the most popular destinations to do so.
But, not every entrepreneur knows everything they should about contract manufacturing in China. So, we’ve put together a guide with all the details you should keep in mind.
Let’s get started.
1. You Need to Find a Reliable Supplier
As you might guess, you’ll need to find a reputable supplier before you can move forward with your manufacturing obligations. Although this responsibility can seem overwhelming at first, is not as difficult as you might anticipate.
In general, you’ll want to consider the following factors before you make your decision:
- The size of the factory
- The location
- Total production capacity
- Exclusivity
To elaborate on this last point, you should decide whether or not you want your supplier to exclusively manufacture for your business during the production process. Once you’ve figured out the necessary criteria, you can begin your search.
Keep in mind that either you or a dedicated professional must visit the actual facility before production begins. This is to ensure that the facility meets all your needs and that you aren’t being misled.
2. You Must Register Your IP
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs are unaware of the fact that they need to register their intellectual property in China. This means that you should pursue any necessary patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
Foregoing this obligation can easily become a significant obstacle for your production process if another entity in China decides to register your IP under their name.
Not only will this prevent you from manufacturing a product, but you could also run into legal issues for infringing upon their copyright. Due to the murkiness of international law, it can be highly difficult to prove that you were the original creator and owner of a particular IP.
Even after you have registered your IP in China and found a reputable manufacturer, there is one extra step you need to take.
You must have your manufacturer sign a nondisclosure, non-use, non-circumvention (NNN) agreement in order to further protect your rights. Anyone who attempts to avoid this obligation is someone that you should never work with.
3. Prioritize Quality Control
Ideally, you would be able to provide your manufacturer with the necessary information and then receive a high-quality product. But, this isn’t always how things turn out.
It’s not uncommon for you to encounter quality issues while outsourcing your production overseas. Fortunately, though, this is often a result of misdirection that can be resolved through communication.
The best way to accomplish this is to have a third party regularly conduct QC checks during the production process. This will allow you to catch issues as quickly as possible and then take steps to remedy them.
Failure to do so could easily result in dissatisfied customers, delayed deadlines, etc. Put simply, brushing off your quality control obligation comes with a strong risk of hurting your brand’s image.
4. Preserve Approved Samples
It’s not abnormal for different batches of products to have inconsistencies between them. To elaborate, the first few rounds of Chinese contract manufacturing may meet your standards while subsequent batches may fall short.
To help keep everything on track, it’s essential that you preserve copies of approved samples. This will give your manufacturer a solid reference that they can strive to duplicate in the future.
Additionally, you can use an approved sample as an index of whether or not a current batch meets your standards. If it doesn’t, your manufacturer is obligated to make changes.
But, these can take a significant amount of time to complete. This also means your manufacturer may not be able to adhere to your time constraints.
So, it’s in your best interest to have multiple high-quality samples that your manufacturer can use in order to streamline the production process. In the event that your standards change, you should obtain new samples as quickly as possible.
5. Establish an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Agreement
For those who are unfamiliar with this type of document, this is an agreement between you and your manufacturer that aims to remove any form of ambiguity in your relationship.
This means that you need to elaborate upon any minute details that could cause complications in the future. In practice, you’ll find yourself having to clearly define the color you want your product to be, the projected timeline, etc.
In fact, colors are defined by Pantone number as opposed to terms like ‘red’ or ‘blue.’
Other factors to consider include:
- Ownership of tooling
- Dispute resolution
- Payment terms
- Quality requirements
- Certification
The same can be said about product weights and dimensions. In addition to all of this, you’ll need to ensure that this agreement is enforceable in China and not just the United States.
This often means working with a Chinese legal professional to help you navigate the nuances of Chinese law. Additionally, it’s required that you write the document in Chinese.
Otherwise, your manufacturer could break all of your guidelines and suffer no consequences.
Contract Manufacturing In China Can Be Game-Changing
So, it’s essential that you keep the above information in mind. From here, you’ll understand everything you should about contract manufacturing and can then make the most of this opportunity.
Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.
The Benefits of Chinese Manufacturing
Are your manufacturing costs running your business into the ground? Are you looking for a better way to have your goods produced? If so, you should consider turning to Chinese manufacturing.
There are several benefits of choosing a foreign manufacturer. To help you determine whether it’s the right decision for you, we’re going to discuss those benefits below.
Lower Costs
The most obvious benefit of Chinese manufacturing is lower costs. Costs are lower in China for a variety of reasons.
For one, there are fewer regulations on Chinese businesses. As such, they have much lower overhead costs. This enables them to produce an item at a lower price, thus allowing them to pass a lower price on to the customer.
There’s also the fact that labor costs in China are substantially lower than in the United States. Workers don’t need to be paid as much, thus lowering the overall cost of manufacturing. Again, these savings are passed on to the consumer.
If you want high-quality products at a very reasonable price, having your products made in China is the ideal option. You’ll save tons of money, allowing you to get your business out of the red as soon as possible.
More Products
Not only do Chinese manufacturers work cheaply, but efficiently as well. As such, they can produce a substantial number of products in just a short amount of time.
This could bode well for your business, especially if you’re struggling to keep up with demand. The rapid manufacturing pace of Chinese factories will maintain a steady stream of products into your warehouses. You’ll never have to worry about whether you have enough supply on hand.
What makes Chinese manufacturing so efficient? 1. Less regulation, and 2. Practice! These companies have fine-tuned their operational processes, allowing them to be extraordinarily consistent in their manufacturing efforts.
Easy Scalability
Odds are, your business won’t stay the same size forever. At some point, you’re probably going to want it to grow. After all, it’s growth that increases revenue, and increasing revenue is one of the primary goals of running a business, right?
The key is for you to have a manufacturer who can keep up with demand when the time comes. Chinese manufacturers are more than suited to do so.
As was noted above, Chinese manufacturers can produce unbelievable amounts of products in just a short amount of time. So, if you ever need to scale up your business, a Chinese manufacturer will be able to accommodate you. Just make the call and your wish will be granted.
Knowledge of the Product
It doesn’t matter what your product is. Odds are, there is a Chinese manufacturer that has manufactured it at length. This is a good thing, as it means that your product can be made to perfection.
This wouldn’t necessarily be true of other types of manufacturers. After all, if they’ve never manufactured your product before, they’re likely not going to do it perfectly the first time. In fact, it could take months or even years before they’re able to adequately manufacture your product.
Utilizing Chinese manufacturing allows you to take advantage of a tried and true knowledge base. These manufacturers have manufactured your type of product many times before and will have no problem doing it again for your business.
An Enhanced Ability to Try New Products
You’ve been selling a single product for a while now, and have seen some good success along the way. But, at this point, you’ve reached about as high as you can reach with it. For this reason, you’re considering selling new products in addition to your original product.
The issue, of course, is that it costs money to sell new products. But with Chinese manufacturing, you can greatly reduce your cost obligation, thus making it easier (and less risky) to facilitate the change.
Were you to use an American manufacturer, you would have to pay a substantial amount of money just to get the new product made. This would be fine if you knew that the product would sell as intended, but you can’t make that guarantee. In other words, it’s tremendously risky.
So, if you’re interested in expanding to new products, there’s really only one option: you have to use a Chinese manufacturer.
Good Quality
When you think of Chinese manufacturing, you might think of poor quality. Yes, in some cases, that is certainly true. After all, not all manufacturers are created equal.
But that’s the case in the United States as well, just as anywhere else. In the end, it’s all about the manufacturer you choose. Some will do a good job, some will do a decent job, and some will do a fantastic job.
Just be sure to vet your manufacturer before signing any contracts. Ask to see examples of their past work and make sure that you’re totally satisfied with the quality.
Remember: Chinese manufacturers have devoted substantial amounts of time working on these products. As such, many of them have perfected the processes, and know exactly how to create the product in question.
Interested in Utilizing Chinese Manufacturing?
What do you say? Are you interested in utilizing Chinese manufacturing? If so, we here at Shield Works are the people to see.
We manufacture a wide variety of goods and do so at a low rate. If you’re at all interested in manufacturing in China, we have you covered.
Contact us today to discuss your needs!
How To Choose Original Equipment Manufacturers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can help a business with its production processes at a cost-effective price.
They can also be a reliable source that helps drive your business to the next level by taking care of some essential business tasks.
However, if you choose the wrong partner, this can cause production problems. Delivery delays could even result in your company losing customers.
Fortunately, there are several crucial aspects you can look for when deciding how to choose an original equipment manufacturer.
Read on to learn how to find the right OEM supplier for your business.
Original Equipment Manufacturers Quality Standards
Customers have more options than ever before, and if your products fall below their standards, they will simply buy from one of your competitors.
There are many stories about companies purchasing cheap goods that suffer from a severe lack of quality.
While you will want to keep your production costs affordable, it’s important to remember you may have to pay slightly more to obtain superior merchandise.
You should ask if the OEM service adheres to ISO standards throughout their manufacturing process. In addition, the company should train all their staff and ensure that employees are encouraged to report any potential issues.
When a company can identify potential problems early on, there is less likely to be a delivery delay. This can be a vital factor if you need a supply of high-demand products quickly to satisfy your customers’ needs.
A reliable OEM will be proactive and agree on the standards you require before they begin the production process. Then, they can examine their finished items in line with these terms.
By checking all products before they leave the factory, an OEM ensures you do not have to return items when they reach your premises.
OEM Transparency
When deciding how to choose an OEM, an open and honest line of communication is essential. To maintain your high standards, you can ask the company if they provide access to their site.
There is no need to have a physical presence on the premises because you can use technology to gain 24/7 access.
Whether you are at your desktop computer or using a mobile device, you can always get a live update on the production process.
If the OEM is happy to allow you to view their work through a secure video feed, this provides peace of mind that they will deliver what they promise.
You can even request access to specific locations along the production process. For example, you could view their quality control area to ensure you are satisfied with the finished article.
Independent Testing
You may be wondering should you get an OEM if you are worried about the quality of their work. After all, if you haven’t worked with them before, you only have their word that they manufacture high-quality merchandise.
But, you can have more confidence when you partner with an OEM that uses independent third-party testing. When choosing your supplier, you can ask how you can communicate with the independent testers.
It’s best if you can discuss your product quality with them directly. This means you have the reassurance that the factory is working to the agreed standards.
Although the factory should also have its own internal quality control team, an extra layer of testing is reassuring. There is a reduced chance of inferior products slipping through the net.
OEM Analytics
It can be challenging to outsource your production needs to a company based in a different country. If companies don’t provide you with real-time information, then how do you follow the order progress?
You may also have to inform customers when they can inspect their goods. In this scenario, it’s important to have access to production analytics at all times.
You may be in a different time zone from your OEM and don’t have time to wait for a manager to get to the office.
Before partnering with an OEM service, you can query if they use a manufacturing software system.
For example, you may want to know about the production output, so you know when your order will be ready for shipping. In addition, if deliveries are later than expected, you should be able to view production downtime.
If a supplier consistently has too much downtime, you can decide to move your business to a different OEM.
Access to analytics can also be important as you will expect your supplier to take corrective action when there are issues.
Business doesn’t always run smoothly, and your OEM needs to know how to fix any issues that could have a negative impact on your company.
If you can see this information through the analytics software, it can be reassuring that your products are in good hands.
OEM IP Protection
If other companies steal your Intellectual Property (IP), they could target your customer base. Therefore, when selecting your OEM service, it’s good practice to ask about IP protection measures.
You can query if they have designated zones for specific processes. Also, how do they protect your information? Your partner company should have robust hiring procedures and use the latest technology to protect your data.
It’s also a good idea to work with a company that helps you register your IP in China. This can make it easier to obtain the protection you need for your products without having to navigate the required steps on your own.
Partner with Shield Works Today
Shield Works is a British-owned and managed OEM based in China. We are one of the leading original equipment manufacturers and have been providing our services to satisfied clients for over 15 years.
We operate to the highest quality standards and use the latest technology to provide our clients with the products they need.
We work closely with our partners to ensure we meet delivery times and exceed expectations.
Contact the Shield Works sales team to book a consultation today.
Contract Manufacturing China: How to Find the Right Manufacturer
Are you tired of the expensive cost of contract manufacturing in your home country? You really should consider contract manufacturing in China to help lower your spending!
Knowing how to find a contract manufacturer in China may feel like an intense task. However, it is not as difficult as you might think. All it takes is following a step-by-step process.
To learn how to find the best OEM manufacturers in China, keep reading.
What Is Contract Manufacturing?
If you aren’t familiar with contract manufacturing, let’s cover the basics.
Contract manufacturing means that your company is looking for another company to take responsibility for part of the production process for your products. This can be a great way to collaborate and split duties with another company to complete your production more effectively.
So, how do you find a contract manufacturer in China?
What to Do Before Finding a Manufacturer in China
You’re still searching for a contract manufacturer, but there are still some important tasks you need to complete before you solidify one.
File Your Intellectual Property Rights
This is a very important step. You will need to register your intellectual property rights (or IP rights) in China.
Your product’s IP includes any watermarks, trademarks, and other copyrights associated with it. If you are not the first company to do this, then some other company may step in.
That’s right: the first company that registers IP rights in China is the one who gets them. Even if your company is the only one of its kind, your IP rights could be at risk if you don’t register them in China.
How to Find a Contract Manufacturer in China
Finding the right contract manufacturing in China is essential. You want to make sure you and your contract manufacturer are on the same page when it comes to producing your products.
Here are some things to consider when beginning your search for OEM manufacturers in China.
1. Do Your Research First
The most important thing to do in the beginning stages is to do proper research on product development as well as contract manufacturing in China.
You need to develop your product idea to the fullest. This helps you know how much money and time it will take to create your product in bulk.
It can also give you some idea of what customers want and will expect from your product as well.
2. Know the Kinds of Factories in China
There are three kinds of factories in China, and all of them vary.
A raw materials factory is what it sounds like: it makes everything you will need to make your product to begin with. Once these materials are made, they are then sent to a component factory.
Unlike a raw materials factory, a component factory makes part of your end product but not all of it. That’s a job for the assembly factory.
Again, the assembly factory sounds like what it is. Your product is assembled in full here.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all factories will do all three types of manufacturing work. You will need to double-check with the factory itself to see what they can offer and do for your product.
3. Find the Right Contract Manufacturing in China
Finding OEM manufacturers in China can feel like a dubious task. The good news is that you have several places you can look for options.
One easy way to research potential manufacturers is to look online. Alibaba, MadeInChina, and many other places can lead you in the right direction, but you may have some delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also trade shows and other opportunities to find contract manufacturing too.
You still need to do your research for the one that fits best with you. You can learn more about Shield Works’ manufacturing services here. As a British-owned manufacturer in China, we know how to overcome cultural barriers to get you the products you need.
Avoid using a sourcing agent: we’re here to help!
What to Do Once You Have a Manufacturer
Once you have a manufacturer picked out, you still need to do a couple of things. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Draw Up an NNN Agreement in Chinese
An NNN agreement is a “non-disclosure, non-use, non-circumventing” agreement. This means that your IP rights will be protected even further.
It must be written in Chinese so that it is seen as genuine in the eyes of a Chinese court.
2. Create an OEM Agreement
An OEM agreement stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer agreement. This is where you write all of the details of your product. Be as specific as possible.
Like the NNN agreement, this one must be written in Chinese as well. In a Chinese court, the terms of the contract will only be enforceable if written in Chinese.
3. Quality Control
Quality control assurance throughout the production process will save you a headache later. This means making sure you keep certified product samples onhand too.
A good way to do this is to have a third party perform quality control procedures on your manufacturer. Though the factory may have its own quality control team, it is always best to have an outside perspective too.
Contract Manufacturing in China
Finding the right contract manufacturing in China takes time, like anything. When you find the right contract manufacturer, your product’s production process will run smoothly.
Traversing a different culture and language for contract manufacturing is stressful. Lucky for you, Shield Works is here!
Let us be your chosen manufacturer in China. Contact us today so we can get started!
What Makes Shield Works Different From Your Average Manufacturer?
With such a wide body of manufacturing companies in China and neighboring countries, there is an abundance of choice when it comes to selecting the right manufacturing service provider. However, here at Shield Works we do things differently. That’s why we believe we should be your number one choice.
This blog will discuss just a few features of our work that set us apart from the competition. Hopefully, we can convince you why we should be your first choice when seeking manufacturing in China.
Western owned and managed:
Shield Works is a western owned and managed company. We believe in Western standards of service, communications and quality. It can be extremely difficult communicating across a language barrier and when your business is the topic of conversation. Of course, you don’t want to be getting anything confused.
All three founding Directors of Shield Works are British. They have been based in Asia permanently for the past 14 years. We hope this gives faith to the fact that as a company, we are more than capable of maintaining the core values of Shield Work: transparency and integrity and you can trust that business will run smoothly.
24/7 Productions line access:
Here at Shield Works we believe it is important to have access to knowledge. To be in-the-know about your products and work force is an extremely important aspect to business relationships, especially when there are distances and time zone differences to consider.
Not only do we offer you this visibility as a sign of our credibility, but we also offer the chance to personalise where in your production line you would like to have access to. You can have cameras set up following your personal preferences giving you full visibility.
Shield Works offers you the ability to check-in on business through an app on your smartphone, desktop or tablet. It means that your business and its success is exactly where it should be…at your fingertips!
State-of-the-art IP protection technologies and methods.
At Shield Works we have state-of-the-art finger print access secure production zones in order to protect your interests and provide full IP protection at the source of manufacture. We will have legally binding NDAs with every external body that we may work with during the process of your assembly line in order to ensure this is protected.
Flexibility:
Unlike the majority of manufacturing companies, Shield Works starts business with a fully-equipped and experienced team. In this way, the operations can be scaled to accommodate growing production demands.
This experience denotes our ability to work flexibly in the ever-changing world of production. We work in accordance to your individual needs, offering our clients an in-house customised precision assembly line. We even offer the chance to fully customise our work procedures, equipment and develop new specialist in-house manufacturing processes.
A well-established parent company for added reassurance:
Shield Works is not your average start-up company because we can offer you a well-established parent company to base your expectations on.
Founded in 2005, China 2 West Services Ltd (C2W) is a one-stop manufacturing consulting firm. We are able to offer a wide range of services to provide you with high-quality manufacturing in China. All production undertaken at Shield Works will have C2W’s quality inspection services. What’s more, C2W’s highly trained Quality Engineers will work independently from Shield Works in order to report to you objectively and directly. This should give you extra reassurance when you need it most.
Not just manufacturers
The fact that Shield Works is the child company of C2W means that we are not just run by manufacturers with limited knowledge in manufacturing. Our experienced team is made up of individuals who have first-hand experience in every single stage of the process, meaning that the work we do is a complete conclusion of all the very best insights from each and every domain of the process. This means you can be sure that we know exactly how to improve the process, starting from day one.
Expertise
Having such a successful parent company also means that Shield Works stands out from the crowd by starting a business as an expert in a large number of areas. These include but are not limited to:
- Fitness Equipment
- Home and Kitchenware
- Tools & Hardware Products
- DIY Equipment
- Automotive Parts
- Safety Equipment
- Healthcare
- Jewellery
- Inventions & Gadgets
We hope that this blog is useful in helping you understand how Shield Works approach our work and clients differently and what inherent features of our business make us stand out from competitors.
For more information or a discussion about whether we can satisfy your unique requirements then do not hesitate to contact us directly.
The Gist of Shield Works
When it comes to advanced manufacturing solutions, Shield Works stands out as a premier destination for precision assembly and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. As a proud extension of China 2 West, Shield Works leverages 14 years of industry experience to offer unparalleled services in its state-of-the-art facility. This blog post delves into what makes Shield Works a trusted name in manufacturing and why your business could benefit from its expertise.
Who are Shield Works?
To put it in simple terms, Shield Works is a precision assembly and IPR protective, manufacturing, and warehouse facility. Shield Works is the child company of China 2 West, with 14 years of experience. The gist of Shield Works is that after 14 years of experience and have developed many specialties, Shield Works is our very own in-house manufacturing warehouse facility open for clients.
Who is China 2 West?
China 2 West is a western-owned and managed manufacturing consultancy. We provide supply chain management, quality control, and production development services in Asia. Due to our vast experience in 3PL (Third Part Logistics), we have been able to create a company offering customised OEM manufacturing, assembly and warehousing solutions. The advantage of this is that China 2 West really know what we’re doing. Besides, we are able to provide customers with the best services developed across 14 years of experience.
What is the advantage of this partnership?
The advantage of using Shield Works is that you can get the RISK-FREE manufacturing solutions due to China 2 West’s well-established success. Your production will also be done according to internationally recognised quality standards.
Shield Works is based in the heart of Zhuhai City, China. We offer all the usual cost benefits of manufacturing in China. But with the added benefits of having a trusted and mature parent company to over-see manufacturing and all other areas of business.
Being just at thirty-five minute commute from the China 2 West company building, Shield Works can undergo extensive inspection and will have efficient and cooperative communications with China 2 West.
Business at Shield Works will also experience inspections in line with China 2 West’s internationally recognised inspection standards. What’s more, the Quality Engineers will work separately from Shield Works to report to you directly. It means you can avoid any middle men slowing down the progress of your project.
We hope this blog has helped with explaining the general gist of Shield Works. For further information, visit our website and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any specific questions or requests.