10 Questions You Should to Know about Global Mould ...

When product demand begins to rise, coatings manufacturers are faced with a dilemma: either increase in-house capacity and resources to meet demand or outsource production to a contract manufacturer. The contract manufacturing option is often the fastest strategy to efficiently meet business demands — if you find the right partner. Before you enter into a contract manufacturing agreement, be sure to ask yourself and your potential partner these important questions.

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1. Is Outsourcing the Right Business Strategy?

As time management guru Alan Lakein said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” so it is important to be clear about how outsourcing will meet your short- and long-term goals. Have an honest discussion with your manufacturing partner about your vision. This includes current demand, long-term volume projections and new business growth opportunities.

Be as transparent as possible. Contract manufacturing arrangements work best when both parties are trusted partners and the contractor is an integral part of your business operations instead of an "order taker." Once you have a true partnership, the contractor will be in a better position to be supportive, flexible and empathetic through challenges or growing pains. Synergy between you and your contractor will allow both parties to adapt to changes ranging from economic and supply chain disruptions to shifting consumer demands and technology advancements.

2. How Will You Meet Your Profit Goals?

Look beyond the line item price of the coating product and focus instead on the total value of the arrangement. Outsourcing can reduce your total costs — as well as your risk — by decreasing your direct costs for labor, raw material procurement, overhead, waste management, inventory, quality control, and capex items such as equipment and production facilities.

Be honest about your profit goals and expect the contract manufacturer to do the same. Remember that lower-priced raw materials and manufacturing processes may be of lower quality and may not meet QC and customer specifications.

3. Do You Need Research and Development Assistance or Strictly Toll Producing for an Existing Formulation? Is the Answer the Same for Your Short- and Long-Term Growth Strategies?

Contract manufacturers that offer R&D in addition to manufacturing services provide significant value, especially if your product formulation needs additional properties or tweaks, or if your mature product needs new and different properties to inspire increased sales. Consider the case of one of our long-term partnerships in which we contract-manufacture a clear top finish for flexible vinyl used for tents and architectural structures. After several years, our customer began to receive complaints of mold growth on their product in certain environments. As a contract manufacturer with deep chemistry and engineering expertise, we were able to incorporate a unique anti-microbial additive and modify the original formula to solve this performance issue while staying within the price target. This is a great example of a true partnership and adapting to challenges to succeed together.

4. What Does the Non-Disclosure Agreement Cover?

Not all NDAs are created equal and they can be difficult to understand. The best NDAs are “two-way” NDAs that fully protect both companies. Either the coatings marketer or the contract manufacturer can produce the NDA in a way that establishes a mutually beneficial relationship for the long haul. According to Mark. A Watkins, Esq., Partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Akron, Ohio, the NDA should define its purpose or subject matter as well as define how confidential information is exchanged (either unilaterally from the disclosing party to the receiving party or mutually between both parties) and whether that exchange is written, verbal or visual. Be clear in the NDA about who will own any new inventions that might result from the exchange of confidential information as well as any non-compete requirements. NDAs must be signed by authorized company representatives for them to be legally binding.

5. Who Will be Sourcing, Buying, and Inventorying the Raw Materials and Packaging?

The answer to this question plays a major role in the profit target discussed earlier. Are you looking for a complete turn-key operation from your contract manufacturer or would you like to handle some or all the ingredient sourcing, ordering and inventory management yourself? Before outsourcing this function to your contract manufacturer, see what type of buying options they are comfortable with. Also, check to make sure they have a dedicated team and assigned sales representative who will make sure materials arrive on time for batch production.

6. What is the Contract Manufacturer's Standard Lead Time and How Often are Orders Ready on Time?

Lead time commitments are imperative to running a successful business operation. Unfortunately, this question is sometimes overlooked until it is too late. Your contract manufacturer should be able to commit to a standard lead time and continually track on-time and late orders. If an order is late, they should track the reason so they can identify and fix any reoccurring issues. Strive for a minimum on-time delivery rate of 90 percent.

7. What Can I Expect in the Way of Communication from the Contract Manufacturer?

There are many circumstances in which consistent and clear communication is critical. Don’t forget to ask how often you will be communicated with about your order status, production and shipping timelines, payment due dates and other terms. Know who to contact with questions. Ideally, the contract manufacturer will provide direct communications access to multiple staff members including a technical sales representative, customer service representative and chemist so you can get your questions answered as quickly as possible.

8. What Are Your Requirements for Quality Control and How Will a Prospective Contract Manufacturer Fulfill This?

Most coating formulations require a standard range of QC specifications such as gloss, viscosity, color, particle size, etc. Does your formulation require a unique criterion that needs to be measured in every batch? You should clearly outline all required testing and quality checks for each formulation. Determine the formal quality standards, such as ISO , and the industry-specific standards to which the contract manufacturer complies and ask if they will conduct additional testing as needed. Look for a partner that customizes their approach for each customer and that tests and records all standard and additional specifications required. They should also retain samples of each production batch in inventory for future reference if needed.

9. What Are Your Shipping Options?

It is essential to learn what your options are for shipping your products efficiently, at the right time, and at the lowest cost. Identify domestic and international product delivery destinations and how shipping will be invoiced. If the product's formulation contains hazardous materials, the contract manufacturer's regulatory team will need early access to its Safety Data Sheet to ensure seamless shipping and compliance. Make special note if your products will be shipped to one warehouse or drop shipped to multiple locations. Look for a contract manufacturer whose regulatory and shipping departments can help ensure products arrive efficiently and as quickly as needed.

10. What Happens to Production in the Event of a Natural Disaster or a Government Shutdown?

Fires, natural disasters or other unexpected events can be disruptive to fulfilling production. When making the decision to outsource your manufacturing needs, reliability is key. A secure plan to follow when the unfortunate happens is critical to long-term success. Is your contract manufacturer considered an essential business that is able to service a variety of key industries in the country and globally? Does it have redundant manufacturing facilities to sustain production in the event of a disaster? The recent COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on business continuity should provide a lesson to learn.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Kuasu sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Turning to a contract manufacturer can help your business reap multiple advantages, both in the short- or long term. Doing your homework up-front will help to ensure a successful partnership moving forward.

At Abtec Inc., our team has over 100 years of combined experience serving as a global manufacturing partner for custom injection molding services. Utilizing advanced technologies such as computer-aided designs (CAD), we can rapidly produce precision injection molds and parts in a variety of engineer-grade resins. Our design, development, and manufacturing expertise equip us to help you address your production concerns at the best price.

How to Choose the Right Injection Molding Company for You

Designing and manufacturing plastic parts is a complex process, and not all injection molding companies will be prepared to meet the needs of your project. When searching for the best injection molding partner, first identify companies that are comfortable working within your industry. This ensures that they have the appropriate expertise to make recommendations that move your project forward.

The company you partner with should be reliable, consistently meeting and exceeding industry standards. They should be able to demonstrate a history of high-quality product design, as well as prompt and timely project completion. Specifically, look for a company with ISO certification, which would verify that they are able to meet quality standards.

Additionally, make sure the company can meet the scope of your specific project. If you require a large production run of complex parts, confirm that the injection molding company you partner with has the capabilities to work with your desired material and can achieve the specifications of your project.

The best injection molding company should also offer a full-service package, including consultation, design, prototyping, and production. This will add convenience, speed up the manufacturing process, and ensure the final product meets your goals.

In order to determine whether an injection molding company will be able to meet your needs, ask these further questions:

• “How long will it take to complete my project?”
• “What equipment or facilities are used for production?”
• “Which materials will be available?”
• “What certifications does your company hold?”
• “How long have you been in business and what is your expertise?”
• “What design resources are available?”
• “Do you have reviews from previous customers?”

Warning Signs

Not every company that meets your specifications will be a good partner. They may have certain practices that raise red flags. For example, avoid working with organizations that do not have a quality management system. These companies typically do not ensure continuous improvement or production tracing.

Another sign that a company is not a good fit is a lack of technical knowledge from the sales team and general manager. Everyone you speak to should demonstrate a deep understanding of the plastic injection molding services they offer. If they cannot, you are likely to experience project delays as you wait for your point of contact to retrieve answers to your technical questions.

If the company lacks proper employee development, design resources, or machine maintenance, avoid these manufacturers to save yourself time and money.

Selecting the Best Materials or Thermoplastics

Starting the plastic injection molding process requires you to choose materials. In order to narrow down the best options, manufacturers should help you consider the following features.

• Hardness: The appropriate hardness depends on the intended application of the final product. Polycarbonate is the hardest material, while polypropylene tends to be the softest. Consider factors such as environmental conditions, durability requirements, and user experience to determine the best choice.
• Flexibility: Materials can be both hard and flexible (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or soft and stiff (nylon). Flexibility in this context refers to the ease with which a material will bend under stress.
• Weight: Material density is another important consideration. If the project requires a lighter final product, the manufacturer must use a lighter material.
• Cost: After determining the best material qualities, material costs can narrow down the options further. Note that cost should not be the main determining factor, as the properties of the material are what will ultimately determine the success of the final product.

With these factors in mind, here are some of the most commonly used materials for plastic injection molding applications.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

ABS is a widely available thermoplastic that provides high levels of strength and durability. It maintains dimensional stability and is cost-effective. Thanks to its good electrical properties, it is commonly utilized within the automotive and electronics industries.

Nylon (Polyamide)

Also known as polyamide, nylon is strong and can withstand high temperatures. Because of its wear and chemical resistance, nylon is ideal for mechanical parts like gears, bearings, and bushings in the automotive industry.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is an excellent option for operations requiring visual transparency, heat resistance, and impact resistance. The material also comes in specialty grades such as food safety and contamination resistance.

Acetyl

Acetyl, also known as polyoxymethylene, is stiff, strong, and easy to machine. Depending on the formulation, acetyl can be either porous or nonporous. Nonporous acetyl is chemically resistant and ideal for medical and food applications.

At Abtec, we have experience injection molding a wide range of materials. Our materials menu is an excellent resource for learning more about our materials and expertise. We always carry a variety of thermoplastics in stock, enabling us to quickly meet the needs of any project.

Which Services are Available at Abtec?

The following are the primary services we offer at Abtec.

Custom Injection Molding Tooling

With experience in both CAD and traditional formats, we are able to rapidly create fully customized and highly precise molds. We prioritize open communication between technicians and mold-building teams to ensure a smooth, efficient, and cost-effective process.

Plastic Injection Mold Design

We utilize a range of 3D CAD systems—as well as universal formats such as STP and IGES—to successfully import all designs for plastic injection molding. Our streamlined mold review process reduces review time by up to 50%. At Abtec, our design team will work closely with you to analyze your project and determine the most cost-effective options.

Injection Mold Transfer Tooling

The injection mold transfer process can be arduous, but it is often necessary in order to take advantage of better rates or higher quality service. Abtec can smoothly transfer your information and equipment from your current provider by following these six steps:

• Evaluation and documentation
• Quality inspection
• Advance stock
• Cleaning and coating
• Shipping
• Reinstallation

Custom Plastic Injection Molding

Abtec offers customized plastic injection molding services and has the capability to manufacture parts in both low and high volumes. We offer a wide range of materials and specialize in engineering grades of thermoplastics such as PPS, PPSU, PEI, PEEK and LCP. We also offer several secondary services—including heat staking, milling, and ultrasonic welding—to create fully customized parts.

Prototype Services

We can help design and create prototypes for your project to increase efficiency starting in the early stages of development. Our 3D-printed prototypes are an affordable way to test a design before building the injection mold tools.

Custom Injection Molding Solutions from Abtec

Abtec is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality injection molding solutions. We provide regular personnel training for our production employees, and our preventative maintenance programs ensure our equipment always stays in good condition. In addition, we are ITAR/DOD Registered/Compliant and ISO : certified.