Outsourcing your manufacturing for wire harnesses or cable assemblies comes with many benefits. You will improve the efficiency and flexibility of the manufacturing process. However, the process can be daunting for many businesses looking to outsource their manufacturing successfully.
A lot of time and materials go into the wire harness manufacturing process, so you must get it right the first time. If you want to ensure that outsourcing your wire harness manufacturing process is successful for your business, do the following seven things:
1.Set a Realistic Timeframe for Delivery
2.Create a Prototype Wire Harness
3.Begin with an Initial Small Order
4.Work with an Excellent Customer Support Team
5.Confirm the Specifications are Correct
6.Use an Experienced Company
7.Emphasize Quality Control Testing
Focusing on these seven things will have a much better experience working with a manufacturer. Keep reading to learn more about seven tips for outsourcing your wire harness manufacturing.
What are the Benefits of Outsourcing the Manufacturing Process?
Outsourcing various aspects of the manufacturing process come with many benefits, especially for wire harnesses. Some of the most significant benefits are increased production capacity and efficiency. Companies invested in manufacturing wire harnesses have developed strategies for faster production.
If you receive a sudden spike in business demand, an experienced manufacturer will have the facilities to accommodate. One of the most significant advantages is lower labor costs for overseas manufacturers. You will not need to worry about hiring employees to keep up with the demand to create products.
1. Set a Realistic Timeframe for Delivery
If you want to reduce stress during the manufacturing process, you should give yourself plenty of time for delivery. When meeting tight deadlines, you have less room for error and need everything to go flawlessly. The average overseas freight delivery takes between 20 to 30 days. You should set a realistic timeline during your initial product order that includes potential delays.
Your first product order will be the most important you make with a manufacturer. This order will set the production steps for all of your future orders, so don’t rush the process. Make sure that you and the manufacturer are on the same page when discussing delivery times. Once you have learned how long production takes, you can plan accordingly for future shipments.
2. Create a Prototype Wire Harness
Most experienced manufacturers can custom-make a wire harness for initial testing. If you are creating a new wire harness, making a prototype first will allow you to fix any flaws in the product. You can work closely with the manufacturer from initial development to prototype creation.
As you test the prototype, you will also gather insights to tell the manufacturer when making the product. It’s crucial to make a prototype in product design and work with a manufacturer early in the development to choose readily available components. If the raw materials are hard to source, this could result in production delays.
3.Begin With an Initial Small Order
While developing a relationship with a manufacturer, it is best to do a small batch order of products. Small orders will verify the quality and ensure the specifications are met without bulk ordering. Investing in the production of thousands of wiring harnesses before making sure they are correct can be a costly mistake.
In wiring harness manufacturing, even the smallest detail can result in a product not fitting the specifications. Be clear about your requirements for the manufacturer and check to see if your small order meets your expectations. Once you have verified the quality, you can invest in a bulk order of products.
4.Work with an Excellent Customer Support Team
There is more to working with a wiring harness manufacturer than the product quality. The quality of customer support is something you shouldn’t undervalue when choosing a manufacturer for outsourcing. Cooperation is a crucial part of the manufacturing process that will require regular communication with customer support.
If you need immediate modifications on a wiring harness design or an unexpected shipping delay, customer support will be a crucial asset. A responsive and professional customer support team will be there if challenges happen during production. They will keep you updated throughout production and give updates.
5. Consult About Specifications
Bulk ordering wire harnesses is a complex process that involves purchasing raw materials and manufacturing several components. The wire harness design is the most critical part of the process. Before production, you must consult with the manufacturer regarding the design and explain any unclear specifications.
The design specifications should be detailed, and the project engineer should develop a high-quality prototype. Additionally, an experienced manufacturer will provide recommendations if you aren’t sure about a design spec. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as it will help you get on the same page.
6. Use an Experienced Company
One of the best ways to ensure outsourcing your wire harness manufacturing goes well is by hiring an experienced company. A professional company will have completed numerous orders similar to yours, developing a proven manufacturing strategy. Some of the things you should ask your manufacturer to understand their experience is:
●How many years have you been in business?
●What products have you successfully manufactured in the past?
●Could you explain your quality control testing process?
Any experienced company will be glad to answer these questions and show examples from past customers. Working with an experienced company will make a massive difference in the production quality of your wire harnesses. You can count on the business to deliver your product on time and with the correct specifications.
7. Emphasize Quality Control Testing
If you want to receive a bulk order of high-quality products, emphasizing quality control testing is crucial for your success. You want each wire harness to go through strict testing to ensure it meets your requirements. When speaking to a manufacturer, you should always ask for their quality control standards.
Many manufacturers will be glad to show you their detailed testing process. Experienced manufacturers will put each wire harness through a series of tests and check the continuity within the system. With strict quality control standards, you can know that you are receiving a shipment of high-quality wire harnesses.
Conclusion
Outsourcing the manufacturing process of wire harnesses will allow you to receive top-quality products with more flexible demands. However, you will need to follow the tips in this article to achieve good results. Not doing proper research and working with an inexperienced business can result in costly mistakes.
