Questions to Ask When You Work With a Contract Manufacturer
How to Work With
a Contract Manufacturer
A contract manufacturer is more than just another supplier. Here is a list of frequently asked questions to make sure that you are working with the right contract manufacturing company for woodworking.
Questions to Ask When You Work with a Contract Manufacturer
What are the advantages of laminate furniture?
Laminate furniture is durable: high-pressure laminate or thermofused laminate is secured to a strong particleboard core to endure heavy usage. It is more stain and scratch-resistant than other types of furniture. It is also eco-friendly because the core is made up of recycled materials.
It is low maintenance: laminate furniture can be cleaned easily with a damp, microfiber cloth. You can choose to have an added layer of protection to shield it from bacterial and other microbes that cause staining, deterioration, and odors.
It is versatile: laminate is available in a wide variety of colors and pattern finishes such as stone, wood grain, fabric, and metal. It allows you to create impactful and custom furniture designs. The possibilities are endless.
It is affordable: laminate furniture offers great value with a smaller budget.
How can a third-party contractor help me?
Your contractor should have the right equipment, technology, processes, and trained staff to build your product more efficiently and at a lower cost than you would yourself. You will be able to increase production without investing in additional capabilities and/or capacity. Since your third-party contractor manufactures in large quantities, they are able to source raw materials at lower prices and more favorable lead time. They would also have proven quality control systems in place to ensure that your products meet quality standards. All these benefits will help you manage resources and focus on other key aspects of your business.
Do I need to engineer my product?
It depends on your own capabilities and those of your contract manufacturer. You could engineer your own product or just have an initial concept of how your product should look and work. A good contract manufacturer has the engineering expertise and experience to evaluate your design and suggest modifications, or to design it to meet your aesthetic and functional needs.
How flexible should a contract manufacturer be?
Your need for contract manufacturing might fluctuate over time. It is important to find out what the minimum and maximum run requirements are with your partner. If they have a high minimum requirement that you either can’t meet consistently, or they don’t have enough capacity to accommodate your maximum demand, then it is probably not a good fit.
How important is the price?
The importance of price is determined by how you prioritize and balance all the reasons that make you choose contract manufacturing. For instance, if you really value the reduced manufacturing time, you are probably willing to accept a slightly higher price if it ensures a short lead time. In most cases, you would not want to sacrifice high quality for a lower price.
Does contract manufacturing include packaging?
The packaging arrangement should be a part of the contract manufacturing agreement. It should include how the contracted products need to be packaged before being shipped to you, the cost involved, who is covering which part of the cost, etc.
Save Big on Time and Money Without Sacrificing Quality