Throughout the product development cycle, a single product may require a wide range of manufacturing, assembly, and kitting services, from prototype and design assistance to fabrication, machining, and beyond. Each different process demands specialized knowledge and equipment, preventing smaller providers from diversifying their service offerings and forcing OEMs to source from multiple vendors and third-party providers. These focused companies claim to be experts among experts, having dedicated themselves to their process; however, each time a component changes hands, there’s an increased chance of unforeseen events that can corrupt data, delay production, damage components, and drive up costs.
The Risks of Using Multiple Service Providers
Bringing a new product to market is an exciting and daunting task, one that can involve working with any number of highly specialized service providers. Inventors often seek out the expertise of designers, prototypers, and others focused on singular disciplines throughout the manufacturing, assembly, and kitting process. Without a single-source solution, OEMs have to work with multiple vendors to bring a single product to market, which quickly adds up in terms of costs, delays, and quality risks.
Climbing Costs
As the costs for raw materials, labor, and shipping skyrocket, OMEs need to cut expenditures wherever they can without compromising their reputation by sourcing poor-quality materials or using unskilled labor. Between the price of fuel and the distance between highly specialized vendors, transporting components takes a sizable bite out of the budget. More so for oversized parts and assemblies. Transporting components and assemblies is also time-consuming, extending lead times by days, if not weeks, or longer. OEMs can drastically reduce expenses by partnering with a single-source provider, cutting out unnecessary shipping costs and delays.
Production Delays
Just one improperly vetted vendor, one big storm, or a localized outbreak can bring the supply chain to a grinding halt. Those parts that were waiting for powder coating, for example, may sit in the shipping yard for days or weeks due to labor shortages at the port. Precision-machined components can be returned for rework after being damaged during shipping, and major storms are known for wreaking roadways and bridges. Even without external influences, the data surrounding groundbreaking innovation can become corrupted as it bounces from vendor to vendor, setting R&D efforts back and burning through funds. By keeping manufacturing, assembly, and kitting under one roof, OEMs can rest assured knowing their products will be completed on time.
Quality Slips
With each additional service provider working on a single product, the risks of quality issues exponentially increase. For example, a precision component may require finishing before assembly; however, an unproven finishing provider may not properly clean the part before powder coating, causing tolerance issues during assembly that inexperienced employees strong-armed into place, resulting in out-of-box failure. A full-service and ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturing, assembly, and kitting provider maintains control over all aspects of production, ensuring quality from start to finish.
Security Risks
Industry-redefining products are highly valuable, even as rudimentary concepts. Once they become data on a screen, whether as 3D renderings or CAD/CAM files, they are at risk of cyberattack and data corruption. Each time these files are shared with a new vendor, sensitive information can become exposed to the risk that their security measures will fail and compromise your intellectual property. However, partnering with as few vendors as possible by choosing a full-service manufacturer will help ensure the security of your revolutionary ideas.
Sustainability
The manufacturing industry is shifting towards greener processes that better align with the global sustainability initiative. More consumers are opting to pay higher prices for products that are considered sustainable. However, this becomes challenging when the products require multiple manufacturing processes. Reducing your product’s carbon footprint by removing the emissions from shipping between vendors is a cost-effective solution and also allows OEMs to provide greater assurance in the sustainability of their products.
A Single Source for All Manufacturing, Assembly, and Kitting Requirements
Raymath proudly stands between our customers and profit-eating vendors by offering a one-stop solution with comprehensive manufacturing, assembly, and kitting services. We have extensive experience helping customers from diverse industries realize their innovative concepts with expert guidance and a proven track record of success. We have first-hand experience managing the multiple stages and phases between concept and consumer-ready products, and we understand that each step requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
We have invested in comprehensive manufacturing capabilities, enabling us to provide full-service solutions from rapid prototyping and design assistance to state-of-the-art automated manufacturing and powder coating. Contact us today to learn how a single-source provider can reduce your costs, improve your reliability, and ensure your ongoing success.
