How to Find & Pick a Manufacture
April 10, 2013 7:41 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a manufacturer (preferably in the Northeast United States) who can make a simple, but large wood photo frame, about 3'X3' using lightweight plexiglass or acrylic instead of glass.
Hello All
I'm looking for a manufacturer (preferably in the Northeast United States) who can make a simple, but large wood photo frame, about 3'X3' using lightweight plexiglass or acrylic instead of glass. AFter prototype we would be looking to order about 1,500 to 2,000 units. So its not a huge order.
A.) I'm having trouble finding a manufacturer to handle the order
B.) I need advice on how to judge quality of a manufacturer. I've heard some horror stories about small businesses that ended up with bad manufacturers over seas and lost a lot of money.
Thank you!
Hello All
I'm looking for a manufacturer (preferably in the Northeast United States) who can make a simple, but large wood photo frame, about 3'X3' using lightweight plexiglass or acrylic instead of glass. AFter prototype we would be looking to order about 1,500 to 2,000 units. So its not a huge order.
A.) I'm having trouble finding a manufacturer to handle the order
B.) I need advice on how to judge quality of a manufacturer. I've heard some horror stories about small businesses that ended up with bad manufacturers over seas and lost a lot of money.
Thank you!
I think the most reliable way is referrals. Find people/companies that buy the same or similar items and try to see if you can find out whom they buy from.
posted by Dansaman at 9:20 AM on April 10, 2013
posted by Dansaman at 9:20 AM on April 10, 2013
I have a number of thoughts on this. (I've done a lot of manufacturing.)
First, do you have a design?
Is this a one-off or a recurring project?
How important is cost?
What is your schedule? (Both for initial order and shipping?)
If you are a first time customer for a large quantity of items, you will need to usually put down a large deposit, possibly 100% pre-payment, and/or COD.
Second, while the manufacturer is reponsible for meeting your quality specs, YOU are responsible for stating them. If you haven't done this before, it's not hard but it is important.
I presume you have a drawing? Do you have an engineer? I know it doesn't sound like an engineering thing, but drawings are specialized documents with their own language that describe what you are asking for and provide the basis to determine if you are getting it. Done well, they simplify quotes, quality inspections, and court cases.
You CAN get a frame shop to do this sort of thing, of course. It's not rocket science. You'll pay their margins, which is no problem if your project can tolerate the expense. For material in this quantity range, you may find it cheaper to buy a kit of material and build to your shipping schedule. The machines and jigs for this type of thing are simple, cheap, accurate and repeatable and compact enough to allow you to consider a make/buy analysis if you are willing. Depends on a lot of specifics.
Lots of questions... memail if you want to have an extended chat about this off board.
posted by FauxScot at 5:12 PM on April 10, 2013
First, do you have a design?
Is this a one-off or a recurring project?
How important is cost?
What is your schedule? (Both for initial order and shipping?)
If you are a first time customer for a large quantity of items, you will need to usually put down a large deposit, possibly 100% pre-payment, and/or COD.
Second, while the manufacturer is reponsible for meeting your quality specs, YOU are responsible for stating them. If you haven't done this before, it's not hard but it is important.
I presume you have a drawing? Do you have an engineer? I know it doesn't sound like an engineering thing, but drawings are specialized documents with their own language that describe what you are asking for and provide the basis to determine if you are getting it. Done well, they simplify quotes, quality inspections, and court cases.
You CAN get a frame shop to do this sort of thing, of course. It's not rocket science. You'll pay their margins, which is no problem if your project can tolerate the expense. For material in this quantity range, you may find it cheaper to buy a kit of material and build to your shipping schedule. The machines and jigs for this type of thing are simple, cheap, accurate and repeatable and compact enough to allow you to consider a make/buy analysis if you are willing. Depends on a lot of specifics.
Lots of questions... memail if you want to have an extended chat about this off board.
posted by FauxScot at 5:12 PM on April 10, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by QueenHawkeye at 7:49 AM on April 10, 2013