The manufacturing industry is ever growing and with innovation shaping the industry, it’s only going to keep growing. Operating costs deter potential manufacturers from pursuing their dream. This shouldn’t deter you because your idea might be the next big thing.
If you have a product idea and wish to manufacture it by yourself, then, you’ll need to start a factory.
The Beginning
You, being your own boss, your day-to-day tasks will require you to oversee the different department of your business. If you’re starting a manufacturing business, you’ll have the following title manufacturer, entrepreneur, PR and sales representative, unless you’ve got deep pockets to hire qualified staff for those positions.
The Process…
You’ve set up shop, now it’s the time to give you skeleton idea in the name of a product flesh. The questions you should ask yourself are what will the product be, who will use it and what will be its use. You’ll also need some sketches.
From your sketches, you have to research. You’ll have to answer the following questions, is there a demand, is your product going to solve a problem, is there are gap in the market place. Once you have these in mind, then you are on the right track. Then, you’ll have to look at the market with similar products and access what your product does that stands out from the rest.
You are now ready for the product design stage. Here your considerations are:
- The function of the product
- Is the product short-term or long-term
- Is the product reliable
- Is the cost right to not deter customer while you still make a profit
- How complex is the manufacture process
- What materials are needed for production
After that, the research and development of the final design takes center stage. You’ll have to edit and include the dimensions and materials. You’ll include all the necessary details.
The next step is the Computer Aided Design also known as CAD and then Computer Aided Manufacture CAM.
Then comes the prototype testing, manufacturing, assembly, feedback and testing. The product development gives rise to the final output.
Becoming a manufacturer isn’t a walk in the park as you’ve got to understand what’s needed to make your product SELL. In order to sell a product, you have to understand the selling potential of it. You also need to understand the customer’s needs.
Your main concern is the MARKET. And your product should be tailored to cater for the market needs. What important also is the supply chain. In today’s world, you can manufacture and process a product in different countries. Cost reduction should always be in your mind.
Take for example a company like McDonalds, it’s a global chain with thousands of joints. Their operation in each country depends on the needs of the natives. Success of the company is mainly due to the customization of the menu to meet the local needs.
The shift of the process in the last 3 decades
What has changed in the process is the manufacturing cycle. You can just imagine the speed of how new smartphones and computers are popping up. It’s hard to keep up frankly speaking. What drives all of these, global competition.
You can come up with an idea about a product everyday but what matters is the value it will bring. You just don’t want to sell a product to make a profit but generate value for the user. That being said, becoming a progressive actuator manufacturer requires additional planning and capital.
What should you do to make a winning product?
First you’ll have to create the right product and second you’ll to do it to perfection. There isn’t any rocket science involved. Thinking about a new product and understanding the customers need is imperative. Its hard thing to do and you’ll just need to take a leap of faith.
The second part that will bring you product to the public is the marketing bit. Where are you going to market and which channels will you use? This will then lead you to the third part, what volume can you produce and how fast? If all these three parts are taken care of, you rest assured your product is bound.
