How to find a manufacturer in the UK
June 22, 2006 7:47 AM Subscribe
How do I find a manufacturer for a product I'd like to produce?
I'm in the UK and have an idea for a product that I'd like to have manufactured. It's a fairly simple item to make with just a few materials (a bit of wood, metal and fabric) that would need to be cut to size and assembled together. How would I go about finding a manufacturer for something like this? I've googled for manufacturers, etc. but it's such a generic term that I'm just not coming up with anything.
What I'd ideally like to find is a company that could do the entire thing (i.e. source the materials, cut and assemble) and simply quote me prices per unit based on various quantities.
I'm in the UK and have an idea for a product that I'd like to have manufactured. It's a fairly simple item to make with just a few materials (a bit of wood, metal and fabric) that would need to be cut to size and assembled together. How would I go about finding a manufacturer for something like this? I've googled for manufacturers, etc. but it's such a generic term that I'm just not coming up with anything.
What I'd ideally like to find is a company that could do the entire thing (i.e. source the materials, cut and assemble) and simply quote me prices per unit based on various quantities.
Is this large volumes? One time thing? Does it need to stay local? Anymore information you can provide?
posted by chrisroberts at 9:53 AM on June 22, 2006
posted by chrisroberts at 9:53 AM on June 22, 2006
Response by poster: I'd rather not say what it is (it's not going to make anyone millions but could still be fairly simple for someone else to pursue for a few bucks). Volumes would completely depend upon my ability to sell it to retailers. My goal would be to try to sell it to some speciality chains so if I was able to get them to take a few hundred to start I could then potentially be looking at bigger numbers if the item sold well.
It would not necessarily stay local i.e. I would also try to sell the item throughout Europe.
Thanks for any suggestions. And sorry to be so vague.
posted by gfrobe at 10:15 AM on June 22, 2006
It would not necessarily stay local i.e. I would also try to sell the item throughout Europe.
Thanks for any suggestions. And sorry to be so vague.
posted by gfrobe at 10:15 AM on June 22, 2006
gfrobe...
I've carried dozens of products into production. If you'd like to chat about yours in detail, email me (address in profile) and I'll be happy to offer what advice I can in a forum where you won't have to reveal too many details about your product. I spent 4 years as VP of Engineering for a contract manufacturer, founded and sold another, consult for a third one periodically.
It's great you have an idea you want to pursue!
posted by FauxScot at 11:23 AM on June 22, 2006
I've carried dozens of products into production. If you'd like to chat about yours in detail, email me (address in profile) and I'll be happy to offer what advice I can in a forum where you won't have to reveal too many details about your product. I spent 4 years as VP of Engineering for a contract manufacturer, founded and sold another, consult for a third one periodically.
It's great you have an idea you want to pursue!
posted by FauxScot at 11:23 AM on June 22, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks for that Fauxscot. I'll drop you an email.
posted by gfrobe at 1:05 PM on June 22, 2006
posted by gfrobe at 1:05 PM on June 22, 2006
It wouldn't hurt if you could post your results, either, we're all dyin' to know. (seriously) :-)
posted by Bobtheordinary at 2:06 PM on June 22, 2006
posted by Bobtheordinary at 2:06 PM on June 22, 2006
« Older I wish it would just say PC Load Letter, I know... | How to change poorly formatted text into a usable... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Failing locating one with expertise in the types of products you want to produce, look for someone in your are who makes a product with similarities and see if they want a little extra work.
Otherwise, it's not all that hard to set up a manufacturing process.
posted by FauxScot at 8:20 AM on June 22, 2006