how to identify reliable mold suppliers?
- first look at the supplier scale
Here are two extremes to avoid. First of all, don't be greedy for large scale, Large-scale mold suppliers, although equipment, management is more standardized, but often have a relatively fixed customer market, and the production of products tend to be more specialized.If the first cooperation, just to open a relatively simple mold, there is no large orders to attract suppliers, it is easy to lead to suppliers do not cooperate or simply refuse to cooperate, even if the cooperation, it is also difficult to control such suppliers. For example, although he promised to deliver the goods to you in a month,but during the period of his major customer suddenly asked him to produce a large order, he will most likely be delayed for you.(Although the subject did not give details, but according to the description of the subject, I guess it is very likely to be so pitted.)
The other extreme is to choose a particularly small scale,even the subcontracting company that simply does not actually produce, but only solicits work and then subcontracts out, should also be carefully considered. It is difficult to guarantee the quality and delivery time, and there is even the risk of being cheated of money. But I did get a part done in June through a subcontractor, but the premise was that I had cooperated with them before and had visited the subcontractors of the various processes he planned to subcontract with him.
The ideal size of mold supplier is the same size as your company. The price of the mold you want to open now is attractive to him, or your company can establish a long-term relationship with him, or the industry your company is in is exactly what they want to get involved in.( For example, if your company is in the automotive industry, a supplier who has never produced auto parts molds before may be interested in you. Because if he gives you the product, it can be said to enter the door of the industry, and then it will be more convenient to do for other companies).
- Look at the supplier's production capacity and quality control capabilities
The principle of this is also sufficient.Match the supplier with the capability of the part you need to machine with the precision you need. For example, if your mold accuracy requirements within 0.01mm, then the mold supplier may have to be slow-walking wire cutting or EDM, or even constant temperature workshop to meet the requirements, and have sufficient accuracy of the three coordinates and other inspection tools and equipment to ensure the quality of mold delivery. Before signing the contract, make sure to inspect and confirm the matter in person.When the examination may encounter a problem, is that the supplier may say that they do not have some equipment, need to do elsewhere. Then to be on the safe side, we should also examine such secondary suppliers.
- Look at the supplier's scheduling plan and quotation
Before confirming the partnership, you should ask the supplier to list out the project cycle and time points of the product processing, such as how long the technical exchange will take and what will be done.How long does it take for each of the processes such as material, rough machining, finishing, heat treatment, and finish grinding. Each process can be carried out immediately after the previous process, or need to queue (such as heat treatment, if the arrangement is not good, machining is completed but there is no furnace, we have to wait for a waste of time), there is no risk of delivery.After the suppliers are listed, they should also be based on experience to determine whether his list is reliable. Another relatively simple way is to find a few more suppliers to ask separately, and then confirm each other. The same applies to quotations. Quotation on the one hand is to examine the supplier's attitude to cooperation (is it really want to establish a cooperative relationship, or want to cheat a vote on the run) and cost control ability.On the other hand, it is also to examine the supplier's proficiency in the industry, whether the reported costs are reported, and whether the reported prices are objective.The more common method I use is to ask the supplier to list the cost components of the product in detail. For example, a set of molds, how much raw materials, how much machining, how much heat treatment, how much design and development, how much sales, how much management costs, how much profit the supplier should keep, etc., all clearly reported out.(So the choice of suppliers must be compatible, see the first paragraph) The advantage of this is twofold, No 1. one will lose, No 2.It can also prove from the side of the supplier's project cycle plan is reliable.On the offer, there is one more thing to say is never to be greedy to excessively low supplier profits, and even let suppliers do business at a loss. Because the wool is on the sheep, he is now losing money, or later find a way to earn back (no business is really losing money) or really can not earn back to you do not. Cooperation must be a win-win situation.
- Look at the supplier's project control ability
That is to say, in the process of product production, we must not let go of the sheep.Especially when the molds are very important, we must follow the project cycle and time points reported by the suppliers before, and examine their implementation. Once there are abnormalities immediately analyze the causes and discuss the treatment and remedial measures.In the contract, it is not always effective to stipulate how much the penalty is not completed on schedule. Good project control should be to identify problems and risks and solve them in a timely manner, rather than trying to compensate retroactively after losses have been caused. In addition, if like the subject, they are doing electronic products, just want to open the mold production of some shells and other parts, you can also find a reliable foundry or machining plant to purchase parts, let the supplier contact, buy mold, they may be more professional.But if the project is significant or high investment, they should also follow the whole process, rather than do away with the hand, directly throw things to suppliers to do.
Finally, if the project is very important, you can refer to APQP and PPAP related tools to control the quality of the process. Also, how to conduct supplier audits, price comparisons, signing procurement contracts, following up on delivery dates, etc., is a professional procurement subject,it is best to ask the relevant professionals.
G-moulding is a mould brand of Grandshine Group,Custom plastic moulding manufacturer with more than 20 years expertise and experience.Dedicates in custom plastic injection mold tooling,OEM mould manufacture,plastic parts production,die casting mould,die casting parts,custom punch mould,silicone rubber mould,product design,PCB schematic layout design and products final assembly.Today, factory has passed ISO9001 quality management system certification, ISO14001 environment managemetn system certification and Sedex, BSCI social factory audit by SGS.All this system certificatin and factory audit reports can support our customers' products enter big market channel like Walmart,Tesco,Aldi,Target,Kmart etc. Welcome to visit our factory when you come China. Or visit website www.gmolding.com or contact Whatsapp: +86 13823302586 for free mold structure design when you confirm molding in our factory.
