There are many factors to consider when selecting a contract manufacturing partner and it is crucial that companies do their research to identify the right one. Price is, of course, a huge consideration, but there are many additional elements that must be considered when selecting a partner. Choosing the right contract manufacturer may seem like a daunting task since there are many options to choose from. Below are 5 key questions to ask when selecting a contract manufacturer.

1. What is the Manufacturer’s History? Companies must do their homework to better understand the background of each contract manufacturer they are evaluating. For example, how long have they been in business, who were their previous clients, and have they won any awards or been recognized within the industry? For example, RIS was recently recognized as a John Deere – Partner Level Supplier for the 3rd consecutive year. You want an established partner with a proven history and repeat customers. Additionally, ensure potential partners have ample experience working with a company of your size and in your industry.
2. What Solutions are Offered? This may sound simple but not all manufacturing partners offer the same range of solutions. You need to be clear on the requirements for your application and if a potential partner offers solutions that meet your needs. Keep in mind that partners with a variety of offerings are better positioned to provide support as your business grows over time. For this reason, it is crucial that companies partner with an experienced manufacturer like, RiverSide Integrated Solutions (RIS), that offers a broad range of integrated solutions.
3. Is the Quality Program Robust? OEMs need an experienced manufacturing partner that is familiar with the necessary production planning needed to meet all of the necessary regulatory and quality standards. Additionally, OEMs need to ensure a partner is providing them with a reliable and dependable process. A supplier’s quality planning and assurance program is more than just meeting the requisite ISO and FDA requirements – it represents their proven way to ensure consistent, high-quality products.
4. What Level of Customer Support is Provided? Most OEMs have unique and specific product specifications and it is important that potential contract manufacturers understand and are able to comply with those specifications. Additionally, it is important to identify any extra services and customer support that a potential partner provides. For example, is it easy to contact the partner with technical support questions? You will want to discuss these topics to understand the level of customer support provided once manufacturing is underway.
5. Are Value-Added Operations Available? It is important to understand if the potential partner offers value-add services such as assembly, kitting, and other secondary operations to complete your project. These secondary operations offer significant value for OEMs such as streamlining production schedules, improving the consistency and reliability of the final product, and minimizing the number of vendors involved in the manufacturing process. All of these steps improve efficiency – saving OEMs time, resources, and money.

In the end, you are not simply looking for a supplier, you are looking for a trusted partner that can help your business grow. A true manufacturing partner asks for input and listens to customers, offering solutions that ensure both parties are aligned and satisfied. Also, every manufacturer has its own unique company culture and relationships with its customers so ensure you mesh well with any potential partners. Good communication and a spirit of collaboration is needed from the start so do not ignore any red flags you note during the evaluation process – they will not go away after the partner is selected.

About RIS

RIS is an advanced contract manufacturer providing robust solutions in circuit board assembly, product assembly, kitting, supply chain management, fulfillment, distribution, and reverse logistics. We employ more than 300 people and provide services to OEM’s across the world. We operate 3 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities within the U.S, and as your one-stop-shop we have the capabilities, capacity, quality assurance standards, and resources to provide you with support for all of your manufacturing needs.

With all of the contract manufacturing partner choices out there, we know it can be difficult to find someone that not only understands your business model but also has your best intentions in mind. RIS has proven to always be a win-win focused relationship. As your one-stop-shop, we have the capabilities, capacity, quality assurance standards, and resources to provide you with support for all of your manufacturing needs. We understand that supply chain management is difficult and very time consuming, so we urge our customers to utilize us in the fullest capacity. Our total-package solutions include:

• Extensive supply-chain network
• Dedicated Program Manager
• Flexible order fulfillment
• Scalability to meet your needs

• Purchasing and inventory management
• Warehousing and drop-shipping capabilities
• Product assembly: sub-assembly and full product

Contact us today at (507) 523-3220 to see how we can help with your next project, or click here for a quote.