If you’re ready to get your product into customers’ hands, developing a relationship with a manufacturing company is critical. If this is your first foray into manufacturing, you may be curious about what it takes to get your product to production. Assuming you’re happy with the design and prototype, the following steps are to find supply chain partners that fit your timeline, budget, and production standards. If your company and most customers are based in the United States, choosing a manufacturing partner close to home will be beneficial for keeping lead times and shipping costs as low as possible. If you’d like to consider contract manufacturers in Mexico, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
Understand Your Manufacturing Needs
After creating your business plan and conducting market research within your niche, it’s time to start thinking about manufacturing. Before you reach out to potential manufacturing partners, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of your product requirements. Details you’ll need to determine include necessary materials, quantities, and specific techniques that may apply to your project. You should also know your budget, including minimum and maximum order quantities.
Research Manufacturers
Once you understand what it will take to create your product, you can move on to researching manufacturers. Ideally, you’ll have already chosen the country for manufacturing. Mexico is an excellent choice for U.S.-based businesses, as the two countries’ shared border and mutually beneficial trade agreements simplify the shipping process and are more cost effective. From there, you can create a shortlist of manufacturers you’d like to learn more about. When researching companies, look for manufacturers that specialize in your industry and have a history of producing high-quality products.
Request Quotes and Samples
After speaking with several teams and ensuring that you’re satisfied with communication, you can request a quote or request for proposal. From here, you’ll need to determine the best fit based upon the responses. After narrowing your list down even further, you may want to request a tour of the facility and see samples of the plant’s work.
Review Contracts
Once you’ve chosen a top contender, be sure to meticulously evaluate the contract and consult with a legal team. Carefully review the contract to make sure you’re on the same page about payment terms, lead times, or penalties for defective or delayed work. You may even want to begin with a smaller order to minimize risk and ensure that you’re satisfied with the product and packaging.
Choosing your manufacturing partner is a significant step, and finding the right company is critical for your brand’s success. If you’re considering contract manufacturers in Mexico, we’re here to help. We place a high priority on quality and transparency, and we’d love to learn more about your project. With a skilled team of more than 1,000 strong, we have the capabilities and experience to manufacture for a plethora of industries. To learn more about our process, please contact our team.
