Six Often Overlooked Links in a Supply Chain

October 5, 2021 by Zac Marton

1. The Suppliers of Your Supplier
Physically inspecting the source of components and materials that your manufacturer uses is very important. Never assume the best. Companies will try to cut corners to save money, so they need to be held accountable and closely watched to ensure that quality never diminishes.

2. Customs
Customs holds have caused many missed deadlines. Before making any shipment make sure to look into what type of goods can cause a hold by the customs department of both the shipping and receiving country. If you are worried that your shipment may experience a customs hold, contact a government agent for clarity.

3. Choice of Shipping Service
Cost is not the only factor when considering the shipping service to use for your goods and materials. It is important to develop a relationship with a representative at your preferred company so that you get optimal service and have a person at the ready to contact if any issues arise during the shipment.

4. Factory Cleanliness
A dirty factory is indicative that corners are cut in other places of the business. It may seem like a small thing but being clean and organized is something that should be insisted on for everybody in your supply chain.

5. Holidays, Disasters, and Shutdowns
Keep track of all federal holidays in the countries you operate in. These non-working days need to be accounted for when creating logistics timelines. More unforeseen events such as natural disasters and government shutdowns, such as recent Covid lockdowns, can also add additional days to shipping time.

6. Utilize Technology
Avoid employees performing monotonous tasks that could be instead done digitally. This will reduce human error and allow your workers to spend their time elsewhere. Innovative technology and software can automate tasks such as label creation, tracking, and inventory management.

If You Needed A Reason To Manufacture In China, Here’s 10

September 9, 2021 by Ondrian Yeung

1. Lower Production Cost

Expect to spend less on molding and manufacturing when using a Chinese company. Other companies known for manufacturing such as USA, Japan, and Germany are almost always significantly more expensive.

2. Faster Production and Scalability

Lead times on production orders made in China are usually less than that of other countries. China makes it easy for businesses there to grow quickly, build new facilities, and expand with few obstacles.

3. Willing to Work with Smaller Companies

Many manufacturers only want to work with large, well established brands. China’s manufacturing entrepreneurs are often more willing to work with start-ups and people at the beginning stages of development in hopes that the business grows over time.

4. Pro-Business Government Policies

China’s laws, rules, and regulations make it easy for businesses to grow year after year by not placing unnecessary restrictions on them and by supplying valuable incentives to manufacture in China.

5. Abundance of Skilled Talent

China graduates more skilled laborers from university than anywhere else in the world. So many new engineers enter the world force every year in China that the large supply of skilled labor available keeps the cost for such services affordable.

6. Stability

Over the last 30 years China has been the pinnacle of stability around the globe. While other countries often change leadership and policies, China’s consistency in this area gives business people confidence that what they invest in now will not change in the years to come.

7. Modern Infrastructure

China has been at the leading edge of creating roads, bridges, and highways that efficiently transport people where they need to go. They are also known for their state of the art public transportation system, so you can have confidence that even if your interests are in several cities or provinces, you can travel between them easily.

8. Abundance of Raw Materials

Basic commodities such as metal, wood, and chemicals cannot be found anywhere at cheaper prices than in the Chinese open market. Whatever the raw material is that you need for your company, it is most likely produced in China and can be purchased there at a fraction of the price than anywhere else in the world.

9. Product Quality

There is a misconception that Chinese products are cheap and often break. This is due to past notions about products produced during the developmental stage of China’s growth. Now China is a global superpower that has all of the same or better technology and innovation as the rest of the world which allows them to supply products of the same quality as other developed nations.

10. Language Barriers Disappearing

In the past, communication with Chinese factories created a language barrier. Now with the push in education to train everyone to speak English, it is almost universal that an English only speaking business person can effectively communicate directly with people who work inside of Chinese factories.

How Do I Turn My Idea Into A Million Dollar Product? (Part 2)

November 29, 2021January 6, 2021 by Ondrian Yeung

10 Steps for Product Development Success

In part one of this blog series, we discussed the first five steps of getting started with product development, from research and design to perfecting your prototype. Now let’s dive into part 2! This section will explore the manufacturing and product to marketing phases of your product development cycle.

6. Getting A Manufacturing Quote

After going through many revisions and adaptations, your product prototype is finally perfect! The next step is beginning the manufacturing process and getting a quote for the cost of production.

At this point, you should begin speaking to an account manager at the company that manufactured your prototype to determine how much it will cost to produce the desired amount of units you want. If the company you are working with to create a prototype does not mass produce products, you will need to find a new company to assist you with this step.

When you speak to your account manager, it is essential to share an honest and accurate budget with them to determine the best ways to get your product on the market. Be sure to communicate the market desire for your product so your account manager can decide what type of manufacturing process is best for you when figuring out your quote.

What goes into determining a quote:

Cost of the production process
Number of units produced
Materials needed
Labor costs
Shipping costs
Packaging costs

Keep in mind that a quote is just an estimate. In many situations, the final cost varies. Product developers often forget that other expenses such as packaging, shipping, and marketing also add up. Take these expenses into account when creating a budget and price point for selling your product.

7. Clinical Testing

If your product is a medical device, this is the time to look into clinical testing. To determine if your product is classified as a medical device, check out the FDA Medical Device Website for a list of medical device qualifications. Clinical testing is necessary for medical devices to have FDA approval and sell on the market.

Your product will go through clinical trials, informing developers if the new treatment is more effective and/or has less harmful side effects than the standard treatment. A clinical trial can also look at making life better for people with a disease or chronic health condition.

Reasons to have your product clinically tested:

FDA Approval
Medical data and study to back up product claims
Learn how people react to using your device and if there are any risks to using your product

8. Injection Molding

If you plan on mass-producing a product, it is recommended to use the injection molding process to manufacture. Using injection molding is advised for most products because it is quick and cost-effective when manufacturing. To start this manufacturing process, you must create the molds for the parts necessary for your development. This step is expensive upfront, but your quote will often include the price it takes to make molds for the injection molding.

What to know about creating molds:

Expensive upfront, but cost-effective in the long run
Lower production costs
Low waste
Part redesign restrictions

For those who are producing a low volume of products, an alternative to injection molding is 3D-printing. 3D printing is a viable option for making a product because it has low costs upfront, has a high accuracy level, is fast and repeatable. A second option is urethane casting, which uses a 3D-printer to create silicone molds that deliver an alternative for low-volume injection molding.

9. Production And Packaging

At this time, it is best to have a packaging plan in place. Often the manufacturing companies you are working with to produce your product can also supply the packaging. If this is not the case for you, then you must find another packaging supplier.

What to consider with packaging:

Your Audience: Create a graphic and structural design that will be most appealing to your audience.
Retail & Distribution Requirements: Your customer may be a distributor or retailer with particular requirements for your product.
Design: How will your package branding and design will set you apart in the sea of other products?
Sustainability: The image you want for your brand, the availability and cost of materials, and the fees associated with recycling or disposal of the packaging after consumer use.
Product Handling: How will your product be shipped to customers?

10. Product To Market

The concluding step in bringing your idea to life is to take your product to the market. The process of developing a new product is complete, and you are fully ready to sell to all interested consumers.

Ways to sell your product:

Directly through your eCommerce website
Online third party retailer (ex. Amazon, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace)
Your own physical storefront
Third-party physical stores

Selling a new product takes patience and a learning mindset. Many product developers dream of seeing their products on the shelves of big retailers like Target or Walmart. Getting a product sold in big market stores is more plausible when you build a record of accomplishment in small and local shops, or your product garners significant interest on other platforms.

Getting a new product sold in smaller and local stores can be challenging and time-consuming. A tip from a successful new product sales team is to devote time targeting a few stores or customers who are likely to buy your product rather than spreading your attention over many accounts. People will not always say yes to your product but adapt based on the feedback you receive and attack any challenges that arise with confidence.

The Product Development Process

The product development process is hard work but extremely rewarding. If you are ready to get started bringing your idea to life, check out our Esino contact us page to talk with an account manager about getting started. Esino is your one-stop-shop for all your product development needs.

If you have not read part one of this blog, you can find it here.

How Do I Turn My Idea Into A Million Dollar Product? (Part 1)

November 29, 2021December 8, 2020 by Ondrian Yeung

10 Steps for Product Development Success

Daily life is filled with nuances and problems, leading many people to seek out more efficient solutions and create ingenious product ideas. You might be that person that has a fantastic idea, but what comes next? Although it can be overwhelming, here are five steps to get you started on the product development process and give you an idea of what to expect along the way.

1. There is Always Room for Improvement – Research, Improve, Repeat

When you have an innovative product idea, the first thing to do is write EVERYTHING down. Putting your thoughts on paper allows you to thoroughly analyze the product’s strengths and weaknesses and determine what possible additions you can make to make the product even better. It is best to develop a concrete concept that thoroughly explains your product and its purpose. Once you have fully developed a product idea, make sure you research it to understand all of the information necessary to create it. Research is key to creating a groundbreaking product. Before you go all-in on this product, you want to be sure that no one else has developed this product, patented the idea, and that this is something consumers need to succeed in the market.

One of the most common reasons why new products fail is that they are not needed. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine if your idea will be a successful product:

Is this product useful or enticing?
Is there a large market for this product? A niche community may want your product, but will catering to this market segment be enough to remain profitable and thrive in the long run?
Will this product still matter in 5 years?
Are there similar products already on the market that will act as a substitute?

You don’t want to end up with a well-developed product to find out that your product belongs to a small niche market or that your product is not interesting enough to be purchased. Do your research and be honest with yourself about your idea.

2. Bring Your Product to Life Digitally!

After establishing and researching your product idea, create an STP design file for your product. An STP File is a 3D assembly file supported by various mechanical design programs that shows all of the exterior and interior components that make up a product. The design file is extremely important as it allows people to evaluate your product and better understand how the product functions. If you do not have an engineering background, it is best to hire an engineer to assist you with this stage of the product development process. An engineer can create the STP File while providing feedback to guarantee your product is functional and consumer-friendly.

When developing a product, its design’s functionality and features play a significant role when determining if it is consumer-friendly and enticing. Here are a few things to consider when designing your product to ensure its success:

Is there a trigger for the product? The trigger is the reason why a user will go to the product. Learn and understand what motivates your target user and build your design to support the trigger.
What is the action necessary to use the product? The action is the behavior performed to reap the reward for using the product. Is the action convenient and simple for the user?
What is the reward of using the product? The reward is the benefit the user gets from using the product. Is the reward worth the action?
Is there investment for future repeat or use of the product? The investment is a seed planted that causes the user to utilize the product in the future. Will the product solve a problem the user has and trigger them to use your product again?

Image Source: UX Collective

You want your product to flow through this process to ensure that it is consumer-friendly and straightforward for customers to use frequently. When customers keep using your product and its features, you have the best chance at establishing customer loyalty, a repeat purchase, and positive word of mouth promotion about your product.

3. Prototype Development and Signing an NDA

After developing the design file for your product, it is time to create a functional prototype. If you don’t have an engineering or manufacturing background, you should contact a professional manufacturing company that makes prototypes and products to assist you with this part of the process.

Choosing the right company to work with is crucial because you need confidence that they want the best for you and your product. When meeting with companies, it is necessary to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before sending over your design files. Signing an NDA ensures that you are protected and that the company will not disclose any information regarding your product or idea.

When you determine the company you want to work with, you will begin the prototype development stage. Here is what to expect during this process:

Most products average 3-6 prototypes. It is doubtful that the first prototype will work correctly and be precisely what you want.
The process can be costly. On average, people spend a couple of thousand dollars to create multiple prototypes.
Creating a reliable product can take weeks or even months.

Remember that patience is vital for product development. The prototype development stage is often longer than most product creators expect. It always pays off to launch a fully developed product that consumers will love.

4. Perfecting the Prototype

Perfecting a prototype comes from trial and error plus feedback. If you work with professional engineers and account managers, they will study the design and product to help develop the best prototype possible. Since professionals and account managers have had their fair share in product development, they may know a feature or two that can further enhance your product. Their expertise can take your design to the next level by:

Making the product more marketable
Determining the optimal weight and size of the product
Finding favorable materials to use for mass production. Sourcing the right materials involves many factors, including availability, cost, quality, and durability.
Introducing technology that you may not have been aware of

While working with a professional team, you should also test your product with potential customers. Having your potential customer base try your product or conducting a focus group with them gives you useful criticism and guarantees an actual need for your product.

5. Gaining Funding and Creating an Online Presence

Gaining funding is an ongoing process that should begin throughout the prototype development process. Product development is often expensive, which is why it is smart to have investors and funding. When a product has financing, there is no need to skimp on quality or halt production because of a lack of funds. You want to release the best product possible to see success on the market with high demand.

Ways to gain funding include:

Crowdfunding sites
Investors
Loans

Another essential ongoing process is establishing an online presence and garnering social media attention during development, which leads to early sales success. Establishing an online presence can include crowdfunding campaigns, having influencers in the industry review your product or prototype, social media paid advertising, and more.

Takeaways:

A common mistake that product developers make is rushing to put out a product because they promised investors and potential clients a finished product by a specific date. You never want to send out or sell a product that is not finished or of low quality because it often leads to bad reviews.

Be prepared to face challenges, make many changes, and be patient as you work hard to make your idea come to life. If you have a great idea that will disrupt the market and help people, you can count on it being worthwhile to develop.

Once you are ready to begin the product development process, reach out to Esino USA to bring your product to life with one of our account managers. Esino is your one-stop-shop for all of your product development needs!

Stay Tuned for Developing a Product – Part 2

Getting Manufacturing Quote
Clinical Testing
Create Molds for Injection Molding
Start Production
Bringing your Product to Market

Tooling: The Logical Solution to Manufacturing YOUR Product

November 29, 2021December 1, 2020 by Ondrian Yeung

Tooling: The Logical Solution to Manufacturing YOUR Product

What is Tooling, and How is it Applied

Tooling, short for machine tooling, is an essential part of most manufacturing processes. You can get a good idea of how tooling works by picturing a garlic press and how it facilitates the process by finely mincing each garlic clove. Just as the press minces your garlic cloves, tooling machines help you manufacture your products. Of course, there are other ways to create your products, just as there are other ways to mince garlic, but they aren’t made to perform the specific tasks needed to produce your product.

How Tooling can Drastically Increase Manufacturing Speeds and Improve Product Quality

Tooling creates unique tools or machines that make your product. These tools are tailored to the specific needs that your product requires and perform actions necessary in each step to mass produce your product. Though it does require time and monetary investment to initially set up the process, the benefits of tooling are tremendous. Once the process is in place, your product moves swiftly through each station until each component forms the whole. In the long run, you save a significant amount of time and money in the production process.

Types of Tooling

There are many types of tooling machines, one of the most prominent being Injection Molding. Other common types of tooling include but are not limited to cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, and assembling. Machines such as the automatic screw machine are also used to facilitate assembly. Depending on your manufacturing needs, different machines are organized into a system to create an automated assembly line to manufacture your product. Tooling is also widely used in packaging, where automatic sealing, cutting, heat shrink, and box sealing machines come into play. They drastically reduce the time that it takes to pack each product manually.

Advantages:

Speed: Machine tooling is an extremely fast method to produce large quantities of your product once the process is configured.
Precision: Precision is guaranteed since the machine is fine-tuned to execute the most specific tasks.
Quality: Consistent quality through every cycle is a major advantage of tooling.

Disadvantages:

High Upfront Cost: Very high upfront cost if you are looking to set up your own machine tooling to manufacture your products. Luckily, many companies specialize in machine tooling, so you can contract a company to manufacture for you.
For Large Operations: Tooling is geared for bulk manufacturing operations.

Determining if Your Business Needs Tooling Services

If your business has a high output of products, it may be a good idea to explore tooling options. Your two choices would be to perform tooling in-house or outsource to a manufacturer that can take care of the tooling process and manufacture your products for you.

If your business conducts its manufacturing in-house and has large quantities of output, you may want to consider tooling and implementing systems if you have not already done so. Because your manufacturing is already in-house, the next step is to optimize your system. Tooling becomes more effective as you produce more, so calculate how many units you need to produce for the initial tooling costs to balance out with the costs of producing units without tooling. Once you find this breakeven point, you can evaluate if it is logical to consider tooling.

If your business needs tooling services, but it is not feasible or too expensive to set up in-house tooling, it may be a better choice to look for a manufacturer that offers tooling to manufacture your products for you. This drastically reduces the initial cost of tooling and makes it possible for you to reap the same benefits without such a heavy investment. If you are looking for a manufacturing service that incorporates tooling, Esino is highly skilled in the field. We help many businesses take care of their manufacturing needs whether they require injection molding, assembly, screw fastening, packaging, and much more!

How Esino can Help Fulfill Your Product Development Needs

When trying to develop a product, Esino is your one-stop-shop. Our services include product design, prototyping, manufacturing, tooling, and repair services. We have a strong history with over 10 years of experience helping startups and creative entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful products. We work hard to achieve the moment where our clients’ eyes light up when they see their product come to life. Take a look at a few of our past projects here!

Injection Molding: The KEY to cost-effective manufacturing and quick turnaround times

August 25, 2021November 16, 2020 by Ondrian Yeung

Injection Molding: The KEY to cost-effective manufacturing and quick turnaround times

When developing a product, it is essential to learn about the top manufacturing processes, one being injection molding. The injection molding process has grown to be one of the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes because of its ability to quickly produce a large volume of identical parts. Injection molding allows for the flexibility of various shapes and sizes, resulting in a significant proportion of plastic products created in a short amount of time.

How the injection molding process works

The injection molding process begins by feeding plastic material granules into a heated barrel. The plastic granules are melted down and mixed with a helical shaped screw. The screw then injects the melted plastic into a custom mold cavity created for each product. The plastic is left to cool and harden to the mold’s configuration. Once solidified, the piece is placed on a moveable platen and removed from the machine. The process is now complete and begins to repeat to produce more parts.

Image Source: Prototech Asia

Advantages of injection molding

Speed: Each cycle is completed in about 15-30 seconds.
Low labor costs: This process uses an automatic tool that can produce your parts with little to no labor on top of the production.
Low production cost: Using and creating a mold that minimizes materials and produces multiple parts results in a lower price per piece.
Low waste: There is little waste created because the mold is made custom to each part, and most products are recyclable.
Design flexibility: These molds are the most versatile and flexible because they can create almost any shape in one piece.
Number of cycles per mold: Each custom mold can complete about 100,000 to 1 million cycles depending on the quality, maintenance, and conditions your mold is under.

Are there disadvantages?

High upfront cost: The high initial cost to create an injection mold can be a barrier to entry. On average, a mold can cost $12,000, but for smaller pieces, molds can range between $1,000 and $5,000, and for more extensive, it can cost up to $80,000. However, once this cost is covered, there are little costs to continue making the product.
Part redesign restrictions: If you need to make a few changes to your parts, you will need to create a whole new injection tooling mold. To combat this problem, work with our team using our 3D printers to perfect your prototype, and ensure this does not happen.

Where to go for injection molding?

When choosing a company for manufacturing services such as injection molding, you should find a highly experienced company with a strong history in developing products that require similar expertise as the product you are trying to create. When you narrow down to your final choices, make sure you ask for case study samples of past projects or physical samples so that you can assess the quality of production.