Establishing a successful manufacturing strategy is important before launching a product into production. The creation of a new product is difficult, but developing the roadmap for the process makes it go more smoothly. The Hendey Group will help in the prototype to production stage by using its extensive network of manufacturers and suppliers to choose a provider that can accommodate the expected scope, budget, and timeline of your project.
From Prototype to Production
Before moving a prototype to the production process, there are several factors that a company must consider.
These include (but may not be limited to):
- Test demand for the product: With the availability of crowdfunding projects, testing the demand for your product is now easier than ever.
- Tooling, sampling & non-production release: This is when the design becomes a physical sample that can consistently be replicated. This sampling process is an opportunity to make any needed changes before sending the product to mass production.
- Ensuring the prototype is of production-quality and fundamentally designed for mass manufacturing: The initial prototype will usually need tweaking, so ensuring quality and design is necessary. Catching any flaws in this stage will save you time and money since you won’t need to make changes later in the process.
Creating a Successful Manufacturing Strategy
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development stages to create the best manufacturing strategy for the product. When creating a successful manufacturing strategy, there are several things to keep in mind, which include:
- Links/Relationships with individuals/organizations within the market: Manufacturing of a product needs to focus on customer needs and desires. If the product does not provide a benefit to customers, it may not sell.
- Creating a BOM (Bill of Materials): Doing this will enforce financial discipline as it will list out all the costs associated with a single production unit of the product.
- Manufacturing Setup Costs: The initial costs of sending a prototype can be expensive. Knowing setup costs, such as molds and assembly fixtures, will help you determine if mass production of your prototype is the best financial choice.
- Planning for the worst (in terms of production, shipping, and regulations): Planning for worst-case scenarios will prepare you no matter the outcome when preparing your prototype for manufacturing.
- Define Metrics and KPIs: These metrics should be the foundation of your manufacturing strategy. Defining these metrics upfront will ensure consistent visibility throughout the manufacturing process.
- Continuously Improve: Always look for ways to improve production flows, inventory levels, order fulfillment, and demand forecasting. This will ensure you are offering the highest quality products and service.
- Time Considerations: Planning for the time it will take to go from prototyping to mass manufacturing production is essential for a realist to market date.
- Certifications: Having certifications that may enhance your company’s credibility during the production of your product can give you a competitive advantage. These can also be an expensive cost.
Mass Manufacturing, Producing & Scaling
Throughout the various manufacturing stages of the project, we coordinate communication to ensure that the appropriate quality control measures are being implemented. Communication is essential when leveling up production and scaling your business even further.
Examples of how your company can continue to level up the mass production of their product and scale their business further include (but not limited to):
- Economies of scale: This reflects the cost savings when producing more of a product. This can come from large purchases of raw materials, production timelines, and more efficient employees.
- Continually improve upon production flows, inventory levels, order fulfillment, and demand forecasting.
- Being able to quickly replace problem products because of bad publicity, advertising, promotion, etc.
- Avoid supply chain shortages & delays.
- Being able to adjust production to surges in market demand.
Create Your Manufacturing Strategy With The Hendey Group Today
When moving a prototype to production, there are many factors to consider. A manufacturing strategy is key to keeping a competitive advantage in your marketplace because it articulates your company’s advantages and how to ensure they are achieved. Learn more about the product development process and how we can help. Contact us today to create your manufacturing strategy.
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