Finding a new manufacturer to work with can be a challenge. A quick Google search will produce an intimidating list of options, and it can be difficult to know where to start or who to trust. The best way to narrow down your search is to start asking questions. Below, you’ll find a handful of inquiries that can be useful to discuss with a potential manufacturing partner prior to sending them your business.

What are your capabilities?

This one is a no-brainer. What does the company do? What machines do they have? What sort of materials do they work with on a regular basis. It’s always helpful to have a broad overview of a companies capabilities, so you can get a general feel for their strengths and decide if it would be a good fit for your product. 

What products/industries do you have experience with?

Many manufacturers will have a handful of industries that they regularly serve. Whether it’s mining, farming, aviation, automotive, etc., companies become extremely familiar with certain product lines, and may be less acquainted with others. There are some industries that require stricter protocols and certifications from their manufactures, while others aren’t in need of such rigorous guidelines. Learning about the types of customers that a manufacturer has worked with can be helpful when it comes to choosing your next vendor. 

What is your capacity?

You’ve decided that a company would be a good fit to produce your part, but can they turn it around in the time frame you need? Asking questions about production capacity can be important. While many manufacturers may have the capability, not every one will have machine time to spare. New part orders (especially from new customers) can require extra bandwidth to oversee, and it’s important that your provider has the time required to ask questions and troubleshoot unforeseen issues in production. Questions about capacity and lead times are commonplace in manufacturing, and they should have no trouble discussing time tables with a new customer.

What value-added services can you provide?

Whether in-house or sourced through their own contacts, value-added services can be a huge time and money saver in the production process. Many manufacturers have close relationships with specialists in different fields (heat treatment, surface finishing, fabrication, etc.) and can help get lower prices and shorter lead times for these services. It can also be helpful having one shop coordinate additional aspects of production, to limit the amount of back and forth required with vendors. 

Shop minimums, Estimates & Payment Terms

Don’t be afraid to talk about money upfront. Does the shop have a minimum order quantity or minimum charges to setup/run their machines (this is standard practice in manufacturing and should be expected.) Do they require money upfront, payment on receipt, or would they be open to establishing payment terms with a new customer? Can they give you a ballpark quote on a particular part so you can get a quick idea of how their pricing compares to others in the field? Asking these questions early in the process can help add clarity and limit surprises when it comes to costs.