Have a great product you’re ready to put into production but want more control over the process? We recently heard from our friends at Brixius Manufacturing, Inc., who summed up the struggles of scrambling project managers everywhere:
Dear Abby,
our company has an idea for a widgity wackety do dag (an awesome product that will sell for millions) and we’re ready to put into production. But where to we start this time around? Normally, we start with China, but we decided to go a different route this time around...What should we do?
Sincerely,
Scrambling Project Manager
First off, Scrambling Project Manager, hats off to you for looking to reshore production (you know how we feel about that at IndustryNet).
What was Brixius Manufacturing’s response?
Four words: End-to-End Manufacturing.
What is End-to-End Manufacturing (E2E)?
An end-to-end manufacturer takes your product all the way from the idea phase to delivery, a saving grace for any scrambling project manager who doesn’t want to wait (and wait) for parts to be delivered from overseas, only to find half of them broken or missing.
Brixius, for example, executes a project through six stages of their end-to-end manufacturing, taking your idea from the planning stage all the way to delivery and project review.
1. Planning
2. Design
3. Prototype
4. Manufacturing
5. Delivery
6. Project Review
The benefits of end-to-end manufacturing are numerous, providing your company the personal attention, cost-savings and quick turnaround you need to get your product to market. Let’s explore some of the benefits of end-to-end manufacturing.
6 Benefits of End-to-End Manufacturing
1. End-to-End Manufacturing Protects Your Bottom Line: With end-to end manufacturing, you can expect some serious cost-savings as you will have more control over choice of materials, design and manufacturability to help you stay within budget. You also do not have to worry about the costs associated with outsourcing as all the manufacturing is done in-house.
2. Dedicated Point of Contact: With end-to-end manufacturing, you can expect more personal attention, as you are provided with a dedicated point of contact who is there to assist you every step of the way. No more worrying about the status of your project or wondering who you should talk to.
3. You’re the Boss: As a growing business, you want the ultimate control over your product. With end-to-end manufacturing, you call the shots. Increase your order size, control inventory delivery, and make last minute changes to your design. End-to-end manufacturers offer the flexibility you need because they are involved in the entire process of bringing your product to fruition.
4. A Transparent Process: When your product is being worked on by multiple entities, transparency is next to impossible. With E2E manufacturing, you can supervise the entire process, putting your mind at ease. Not only will you know the people who are working on your project, you will be familiar with the facility and the steps the team is taking to ensure a smooth process.
5. Faster Turnaround: With E2E manufacturing, your product will be delivered quicker. This is because everyone involved in the process has a thorough understanding of the project, and common production issues such as material delays, general clarification, and print questions are eliminated.
6. Continuous Improvement: With E2E manufacturing, your partnership does not end at delivery. The project review is the final stage in the process – a key component of future success. This stage allows the customer and manufacturer to formally review the process and identify what worked and what didn’t and make suggestions about improving the product in the future. As an example, maybe a specific band angle was chosen for the product, but the bending did not go smoothly as desired. The project review is an opportunity for the manufacturer to come up with design change ideas to improve the product next time around. With E2E manufacturing, you know your products are always going to continuously improve with each run.
Not all companies need help through every stage in E2E; some may already have prints created, while others do not need a prototype. Brixius Manufacturing, Inc. can help you create the perfect product no matter where you are in the process.
Check out their capabilities here: https://www.brixiusmfg.com/capabilities
