When you are managing a supply chain, you will often manage different suppliers who offer different parts, such as plastics, metals, electronics, and more. All of these different suppliers will have their own lead time, payment terms, and communication style.  As the number of suppliers in your network grows, so does the complexity of dealing with them. This is why more companies are moving toward a consolidated supply chain, where their contract manufacturer manages the supp

It’s no surprise that companies have been re-evaluating their supply chains. Surprisingly, it’s not just companies exporting to the United States that are looking for other options. Companies exporting to Europe, Australia, and other markets are also evaluating how to build greater resilience into their production strategy. Tariffs, shifting trade policies, and geopolitical uncertainty have prompted global manufacturers to assess whether they should continue relying heavily o

The famous quote, “the only constant in life is change,” is also true for a product's design. Very rarely will you have a design that never goes through any changes. As you move through development and into production, you will often discover opportunities to improve performance, reduce cost, address quality issues, or adapt to new supply chain realities. These changes may be necessary, but implementing them directly on the factory floor without structure can lead to confusio

When you are designing a part, the finish is one of the more important decisions made, as it has a major impact on how your product looks and is perceived by the customer. On top of looks, the right surface finish can improve corrosion resistance, durability, and wear resistance. It can also enhance the appearance of the product, whether you want a glossy color, a matte industrial look, or a clean metallic surface. Among the most common finishing methods used in manufacturing

A strong contract manufacturing partnership doesn’t happen by luck. It’s something you build through transparency and shared values. When a brand and a contract manufacturer work together over the long term, both sides benefit: product quality improves, timelines become more predictable, pricing becomes more stable, and the manufacturing process itself becomes more efficient. Yet many companies approach contract manufacturers in a purely transactional way. They send drawings,

Chinese New Year might seem far away, but in manufacturing terms, 100 days is a blink of an eye. For many companies, that’s not enough time to move through DFM, build prototypes, open tools, and complete a pilot run before the shutdown begins. This is why now (late October) is the critical moment to plan your production and logistics strategy. This is where planning your manufacturing strategy around the Chinese New Year becomes important. Even if your products are assembled

As robotics companies move from prototyping to production, one question they need to answer is whether to assemble their products in-house or outsource to a contract manufacturer. This decision shapes not only cost and lead time but also how scalable, reliable, and competitive their business can become. In-house assembly can offer tighter control and a direct connection between engineering and production. On the other hand, outsourcing assembly to an experienced manufacturing

When disruptions hit your supply chain, relying on a single supplier can quickly turn from a convenience into a liability. Many companies learned this the hard way during recent years, as global events exposed how fragile a single-source strategy can be. Dual sourcing has since become a common topic in supply chain discussions, not just for large corporations but also for small and mid-sized brands that rely on contract manufacturers to manage production. Dual sourcing  means

In manufacturing, even small failures can lead to extended lead times and costly rework. That’s why the best contract manufacturers do not wait for issues to arrive, they are proactive about finding them. PFMEA, or Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, is a structured tool that helps identify and address potential risks in a production process before they impact output. Unlike traditional quality checks that happen after production, PFMEA focuses on preventing problems a

Traditionally, the role of a contract manufacturer has been straightforward: build the product, ship it on time, and get paid. But over the last few years, there’s been a noticeable shift. A small but growing number of contract manufacturers have started stepping into the investment world. Instead of just being the supplier, they’re becoming shareholders in the brands they help bring to life. This trend is becoming more visible in early-stage startups where companies need cap