How to find the ideal manufacturer to partner with for your physical product

This is something i learned over the years - please do give your opinions about it

lets take a case study and assume you are trying to export cocopeat (an upcycled product from coconut) to UK from Sri Lanka

you focus on three pillars only- capital, people, product

many likes to just find a manufacturer that can make the product only - but if you can find a manufacturer that has the other two as well, not only will they make the product but they can also make variants of the same product (elevate it for you) while providing value in supply chain resilience.

use the following audit procedure

Pillar 1: Capital

• Machinery and Equipment:

  • Does the manufacturer have the necessary machinery and equipment to produce coconut upcycled products consistently and efficiently?

  • Are the machines well-maintained and regularly calibrated?

  • Does the manufacturer have the capacity to handle potential increases in production volume?

• Production Facilities:

  • Are the production facilities clean, organized, and conducive to a safe working environment?

  • Are there adequate storage facilities for raw materials, finished products, and work-in-progress?

• Investments:

  • Has the manufacturer made significant investments in research and development to explore new product lines or improve existing processes?

  • Does the manufacturer have a history of reinvesting profits into the business to support growth and innovation?

Pillar 2: People

• Talent and Expertise:

  • Does the manufacturer have a team of skilled workers with experience in producing coconut upcycled products?

  • Are there qualified technicians and engineers to maintain and troubleshoot machinery?

  • Does the manufacturer have access to specialized consultants or experts when needed?

• Training and Development:

  • Does the manufacturer provide regular training and development opportunities for its employees to enhance their skills and knowledge?

  • Are there clear policies and procedures in place for employee safety and health?

• Quality Control:

  • Does the manufacturer have a dedicated quality control team with the necessary tools and training?

  • Are there robust quality control procedures in place to ensure products meet UK standards?

Pillar 3: Product

• Experience and Consistency:

  • Does the manufacturer have a proven track record of producing high-quality coconut upcycled products?

  • Can they provide references from previous customers or partners?

  • Does the manufacturer have a system in place to maintain product consistency and quality over time?

• Market Knowledge:

  • Does the manufacturer have a good understanding of the UK market and consumer preferences?

  • Are they aware of any specific regulations or certifications required for exporting coconut upcycled products to the UK?

• Product Development:

  • Is the manufacturer capable of developing new products or modifying existing ones to meet the demands of the UK market?

  • Does the manufacturer have a research and development team to explore new opportunities?

• Supply Chain Transparency:

  • Is the manufacturer able to provide information about their supply chain, including the sources of their raw materials?

  • Are there any concerns related to labor practices or environmental impacts in the supply chain?

NEVER find multiple suppliers providing the same thing - i will discuss on a separate reddit post about why that is a mistake

always streamline your supplier or manufacturer and understand that if you focus on these generalized pillars you can find the right partner to grow