Whether you are on the hunt for jeans manufacturers or a toymaker, partnering with a trusted manufacturer is key for your business to succeed. A manufacturer is someone who makes your products, so should be seen as an extension of your brand. This is why you must take your time to find the right companies to partner with, as the quality of the end product is important. You want to ensure that your customers are just as happy as you are. It’s not all about how much money you can save, but also the ethics of the company, the communication, the relationship, and the quality of the materials and products.
The materials that your chosen manufacturer says a lot about your future relationship too. If they are all about a fast and unreliable option, you should steer clear. Although reviews will help, you might need to ask for samples or go and see some of their previous products (you can often find these somewhere on the website in case studies or previous clients list.
It is important that you fully understand the options you have and perhaps why you’d want to use cotton, not nylon stitching, or why 3k or 6k carbon fiber sheets are better for the task at hand. And another telling sign is if your potential manufacturer can help you through this process—expertise matters.
If you are just getting your business off the ground or looking for a new supplier, here are some top tips to help you find the right company to partner with.
#1 Make sure you are clear on what you want
Taking time before searching for a supplier to make sure you are crystal clear on what your business wants and needs are key. Make sure you have your product designed and finalized and are clear on what aspects of your product you are willing to compromise on, and which elements you are not. This is important as you may come across suppliers who are not able to do what you want. You need to determine if someone else can do it, or if you are willing to sacrifice components.
#2 Research and speak to more than one supplier
It is important that you conduct thorough research, and find out as much information as you can about the companies as possible. Look at their history, the clients they serve, their portfolio, and their previous customer reviews. This information will give you a good insight into the company. When you feel ready to reach out to companies, make sure you don’t just jump into the first partnership offer. Shop around and speak to at least two more companies so you can make a fair comparison. This will take more time, but will certainly help you ask the right questions, learn about the companies, and what offers are out there that will best suit your business needs.
#3 Check certifications
Many industries require certain certifications as a minimum requirement for their work. Don’t be afraid to ask to see these, especially if you cannot find them readily available on the internet. You want to ensure that you are working with companies that are legal, compliant, up to code, and reputable. These certifications should help you see the level of quality they are working at.
#4 Do a trial run
Before signing onto any final contracts, you should request a trial run with the company first. This will enable you to assess the quality of their work, the turnaround time, their ability to communicate with you, and much more. You will be able to better understand if the partnership is going to work for you, or not. You will need a little budget to do this but will help to ensure you choose the right company to work with on a long-term basis.
Finding a trustworthy and reputable supplier may take some time, but is vital to making your customers happy and growing your bottom line.
