Many designers and engineers dream of bringing their concepts to market and achieving mass production of their products. While it may seem like an overwhelming task, there are steps that can be taken to make the process much simpler. By following a few key guidelines, hundreds of designers and engineers have successfully reached mass production of their products.
The process of mass production can be broken down into two main categories: understanding the definition of mass production and how to successfully mass produce a product. These categories encompass a variety of steps, including finding the right suppliers, checking supplier backgrounds, negotiating minimum order quantities, and carrying out factory audits. By following these steps, designers and engineers can bring their products to market with confidence and ease.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the definition of mass production and how to successfully mass produce a product are crucial steps in bringing a product to market.
- Finding the right suppliers, checking supplier backgrounds, and negotiating minimum order quantities are key components of the mass production process.
- By following these steps, designers and engineers can achieve mass production of their products with confidence and ease.
Mass Production Definition
What is Mass Production?
Mass production is a manufacturing process that involves the production of a large number of identical products using assembly lines or automation technology. This method of production allows for efficient production of similar products at a lower cost compared to producing each product individually. Mass production is also referred to as flow production, repetitive flow production, series production or mass production.
How Much Does It Cost to Mass Produce a Product?
The cost of mass production varies depending on several factors such as labor, raw materials, consumable manufacturing supplies, and general overhead. The total cost of mass production can be determined by adding together the total direct materials and labor costs, as well as the total manufacturing overhead costs. This includes expenses such as rent, utilities, and equipment maintenance. The cost of mass production is generally lower per unit compared to producing products individually due to economies of scale.
Examples of mass-produced products include canned goods, over-the-counter drugs, and household appliances.
How to Mass Produce a Product?
When it comes to mass producing a product, there are several steps that need to be followed to ensure that the production process runs smoothly. The following subsections outline the steps that need to be taken to mass produce a product.
1. Find the Right Suppliers
The first step in mass producing a product is to find the right suppliers. It is important to contact several suppliers to ensure that you are getting the best possible price for your product. When contacting suppliers, it is important to ask for a quotation. However, it is important to note that there may be differences in the quotations of factories, and the main reasons may be attributed to the following 4 reasons:
- There is another cooperative factory behind the supplier
- The suppliers think that you don’t know exactly how much you should pay
- The factory usually does not produce this product
- The quality of the products they have is much lower than the standard level
Once you receive quotations from factories, it is important to understand why the prices differ between different manufacturers.
2. Check the Supplier Background
Before finalizing a supplier, it is important to check their background. This can be done in several ways, including:
- Asking for references
- Verifying the business license
If buying from overseas, it is important to find someone who understands the language to verify and check the Administration for Industry and Commerce of each province in the country to see if the company is registered there.
3. Negotiate the MOQ
Most factories want to produce more products because large orders can bring them more profits. However, if factories trust your brands enough, they are usually willing to start with a lower MOQ. Providing enough order quantity is important for the following reasons:
- Large factories (often more consistent quality) reject small orders
- Small orders aren’t worth doing much engineering upfront, so typical factories tend to jump right into mass manufacturing, let problems arise, and (hopefully) find and fix them. This is inherently risky.
- In many cases, low-volume work tends to be done in a more manual way and with less consistent quality.
All of these are compounded if you have a supplier that makes a different product than they already make. This should affect the type of suppliers you work with.
4. Discuss the Payment Method
It is important to discuss the payment method with the supplier before mass producing a product. Most factories’ payment method is 30% before mass production and the remaining 70% before shipment. To better control the product’s quality before shipment, it is important to visit the factory by yourself or send a quality control team. For large orders, wise foreign sellers usually hire a quality inspection company to inspect before paying 70% of the balance.
5. Carry Out a Factory Audit
Before mass producing a product, it is important to carry out a factory audit. This can be done by pretending to be checking the manufacturers’ audit reports and check his behavior or reaction. If you see him getting all tense, he has a lot to hide, and he is a suspicious dealer. You can mention to the manufacturer that you will conduct an audit before mass producing a product through an email address. If the supplier gives you lame excuses, you should take it as a red flag. The best tool to verify a supplier’s legitimacy is through a factory audit.
6. Request A Sample
Before mass producing a product, it is important to request a sample. This can be done by confirming how long on average can the samples be made and asking for a sample. Whenever you are sourcing for products, especially from online manufacturers, ensure that you have seen a sample before mass production. Quality matters a lot as long as you are in the supply and distribution business. You have to see whether products conform to specifications before making a purchase. When you notice that a product doesn’t conform to quality expectations, you will source your products somewhere else. A serious manufacturer will not have issues with providing you with the sample.
7. Explain Product Details
Before mass producing a product, it is important to explain product details to the supplier. Generally speaking, sellers know the specific specifications of the products they want to produce, including colors, materials, and logos. When they start discussing with the factory, they can discover the richness of product choices. For example, you may want to customize the crown’s logo to the entire dial for a watch. Suppose you know the details of the design you want. This can save a lot of time and cost for the factory, including you, because the factory does not want to produce multiple samples because you forget the design details.
8. Follow Up the Production
Once the sample is confirmed, the next step is the mass production process. It is important to stay ahead in production by keeping in touch with factories and building relationships with them. You need to deal with the sales representatives and start
Conclusion
In conclusion, starting mass production can be daunting, but with the right assistance, it can be a smooth and successful process. As a product sourcing company, they have extensive experience and detailed literature and manufacturing resources to help customers bring their awesome concepts to mass production. Their website and inquiries are excellent resources for customers seeking information and assistance. With their expertise and resources, customers can confidently move forward with their mass production plans. Overall, this company provides a neutral and clear approach to mass production, making it a stress-free process for their customers.