The skill and accuracy involved in product assembly determine the quality of finished products. Although assembly is a critical stage of manufacturing, the reality is that high-quality products start with smart decisions made earlier in the design and production stages. Here are seven tips to help brand stakeholders plan exactly how products will be assembled and find the best suppliers, assemblers and representatives.
1. Plan Product Assembly in Advance
Based on the type of products you plan to manufacture, you may need to provide a production assembler with an engineering bill of materials, a manufacturing bill of materials or a tech pack. It is easier to select the right assembler when you know exactly which components go into finished products.
Many companies save money by outsourcing design, research and development to China in addition to product assembly. China 2 West connects established brands and owners of small to medium-sized enterprises with the right resources in China. This service has a large network of vetted suppliers and assemblers and runs the Shield Works Precision Manufacturing facility with protective production zones for intellectual property rights.
2. Consider the Role of Assembly in Manufacturing Products
Assembly can account for a significant part of making certain types of products. For instance, the manufacture of cut-and-sew garments mostly involves assembly. Brands need a clear sense of how much assembly is necessary for producing finished products to choose the right service.
Many people are familiar with “Made In China” product labels. Labels on products intended for international sale differentiate between items that are made or assembled in a country. Products labeled as being made in a country consist entirely or primarily of components that originated in the same country where the product was manufactured. Products assembled in a country may have sub-assemblies sourced from other countries that are then put together in the country that is printed on the label.
3. Rely On a Trusted Product Assembler
It is advisable for brands moving assembly overseas to work with assemblers that have successfully manufactured similar products or at least products that are in the same category. Some production assemblers specialize in electronics or materials such as plastics, metals, composites or textiles. The type of product you want to assemble will determine the right assembly partner. China 2 West connects inventors and brands seeking to outsource product assembly with the best production assemblers in China.
Even an experienced and skilled assembly service still requires oversight. Clients who assemble products in a recommended factory or at the Shield Works Precision Manufacturing facility should also consider service packages that include supply chain management, factory audits, social compliance enforcement and quality control on location. From setting up supplier contracts to agreeing on payments and the timely release of goods fit for transit, it is helpful to have local representatives who are familiar with Chinese business practices.
4. Work With an Established Outsourcing Service
China 2 West has connected entrepreneurs and enterprises around the world with approved suppliers and factories in China and other low-cost supply chain regions since 2005. Over fifteen years and more than 10,000 completed projects later, clients stand to benefit from a network of over 500 approved suppliers and numerous vetted product assembly facilities.
Whether you have an EBOM, MBOM or tech pack ready to go, or you also want to outsource product design and development, outsourcing specialists can help you sort out supply chains for components and sub-assemblies and maintain high standards for safety and quality. Regardless of which stage of development a product has reached, it can be worthwhile for stakeholders to start the outsourcing process as soon as they decide to assemble products overseas.
5. Select Trusted Suppliers Who Meet Your Needs
Small to medium-sized enterprises located outside of China may not have the connections necessary to source the right components for their product assembly. Partnering with an outsourcing service can simplify the process of narrowing down prospective suppliers.
Representatives of the service can verify the quality of any and all components that go into finished products and ensure suppliers have a sufficient production capacity for timely assembly and manufacture. Factory and supplier audits make it possible to guarantee social compliance and make sure products meet any other relevant international trade regulations.
6. Consider a Facility With Protective Production Zones
Intellectual property is a critical consideration for brands manufacturing products abroad. Working with professionals who are well-versed in western and Chinese IP laws can help you comprehend and avoid many of the pitfalls that can lead competitors, including some unscrupulous production assemblers, to copy product designs.
The Shield Works Precision Manufacturing facility is equipped to do customized original equipment manufacturing and product assembly and offers warehousing services that dovetail with the extensive supply chain, manufacturing and logistics services of China 2 West. Shield Works also offers IPR protective production zones housed within the factory.
7. Calculate the Savings of Outsourcing Assembly
Outsourcing is often a smart business decision. A general sense of in-house and other external assembly costs can be helpful for determining exactly how much you stand to save by assembling the same products in China. Comparing assembly costs can help business owners make a more informed choice between production assemblers.
In general, the cost of components and assembly and manufacturing services is lower in China and other low-cost supply chain regions in Asia than in Europe or the United States. Several factors, including the business ecosystem, regulatory climate, international import and export taxes and duties and competitive currency practices, contribute toward making assembly in China the most cost-effective choice for many products.
How To Choose a Product Assembly Service
Stakeholders at small and middle-sized enterprises who are weighing the advantages of outsourcing the assembly of products should follow these tips. China 2 West connects clients with skilled production assemblers and can help with sourcing and IPR protection. Planning out production processes and partnering with a provider of overseas manufacturing and logistics services can help any brand or business take the right approach to product assembly.
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