Outsourcing contract manufacturing is becoming the new paradigm for production of just about everything. The contract manufacturer is the ghostwriter for the industries that find contract manufacturing outsourcing a much cheaper and more efficient way of getting their products from the design board to the consumer. There are so many other aspects of commerce to master that producers are finding the contract manufacturing services more attractive than ever.

Whether you are looking to develop a new project or are updating your current lines, you can outsource a piece of your solution or the entire beginning to end product to a contract manufacturer. Specialties for contract manufacturing services include agricultural contract manufacturers, contract electronic manufacturing, chemical contract manufacturing, aerospace contract manufacturing and assembly contract manufacturing.

1. Package your product under your own label through a contract manufacturer

2. Utilize a consultant to find the best electronic contract manufacturing firm

3. Find global and local contract manufacturing services

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Save in-house resources by outsourcing contract manufacturing

Your company can produce the ideas and the marketing efforts while you outsource your production to contract manufacturing companies. Contract manufacturing outsourcing can save your human resource department from hiring, placing and providing benefits to an entire department. You only use the contract manufacturing service companies when your product is ready. And your name appears on the finished product.

I recommend: Styberg is a contract manufacturer that specializes in metal fitting and stamping operations. They have engineers on staff who can work with your ideas to design the complex metal parts that you need. Marc can provide manufacturing, packaging and distribution of your products from their plant.

Hire a consultant to handle electronic contract manufacturing

If you are going to contract electronic manufacturing, you should consider turning over the entire process to an outside consultant so that you can move on to the next project. Consultants have contacts and can weave through the negotiations with electronic contract manufacturing companies, saving you a learning curve.

I recommend: CMC works for original electronics manufacturers as a go-between to solve problems and seek out the best solutions for contract electronic manufacturing.. They do not receive any compensation directly from an electronic contract manufacturer. Technology Forecasters is a global consulting firm for contract electronic manufacturing and original electronic manufacturers.

Take advantage of one-stop shopping for contract manufacturing service companies

The contract manufacturing industry is joined together through a number of associations and online database providers who provide companies with lists and contact information for contract manufacturing companies nationally and globally. Many of the contract manufacturing services directories are industry specific, while others offer a wider range of contract manufacturing contacts.

I recommend: MFG.com hooks you up to a plethora of contract manufacturing companies both at home and abroad. Search their database and contact the businesses for quotes online. Motion Net has a wide variety of contract manufacturing firms. You can send a request for a quote to a number of different companies at one time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for a turnkey contract manufacturing operation that can take care of all your production from beginning to end, even if you don't require all those services in the beginning.