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“ Choosing the rightmetal fabrication partner for your contract manufacturing needs is

a considerably tall task. ”

Choosing a single or dual-service job shop versus a full-fledged contract manufacturer, for instance, is one of many decisions you will have to make in order to find an optimal balance of quality, timeliness and affordability.

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CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

• Can this fabricator design and create a quality prototype in a timely fashion?

• Does the fabricator make suggestions in product design and/or manufacturing processes?

• Does the fabricator have a quality project management infrastructure in place?

The most obvious consideration for your fabrication partner is

the offering of services. While a potential partner might have the

baseline services required to actually perform your work...

...You should always be looking beyond just minimum-level capability.

These are only a few of the essential questions to ask before you choosea metal fabrication partner for your contract manufacturing.

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A quick phone call and some online research won’t be enough to get a proper evaluation of your potential partners. You need to visit them in person (if at all possible) to really get a feel for the personnel and facilities.

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Financial stability, though not entirely public information since metal

fabricators are private enterprises, can be evaluated through the

types of clients they obtain and the quality of capital investments. If

the clients appear reputable and the infrastructure is healthy from

quality investment, you can assume at least a certain level of stability.

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Pricing and delivery times can vary widely between fabricators.

The difference in pricing between contract manufacturers will often be dependent on level of design/process consultation, product quality, and speed in delivery.

An important factor to keep in mind is the “cradle to grave” capability of the fabricator.

If the fabricator offers a conglomerate of services that can be done in one fell swoop, it could be more cost-effective in the long run than hiring multiple shops for individual services.

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Determining the ways a contract manufacturer will bring value beyond

base services, including a comprehensive “cradle to grave” model, will help you differentiate between long-term metal

fabrication partners.

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