5 Ways to Reduce Manufacturing Costs

Matt Smith
August 28, 2018
Five ways to reduce manufacturing costs, Fishbowl BlogIf you want to run a successful business, the way you manufacture has a significant effect on your ability to be competitive. You need to use the right kind of manufacturing strategies to increase profits. To avoid common mistakes that entrepreneurs make in getting their products made, use these tips to lower your costs:

Change Up Your Casting

How you do your casting can have a lot to do with your expenses. Different materials cost more than others, and metal casting has one of the best ROIs in the industry. Other materials, such as plastics, might be cheaper in the starting stages, but they break down more quickly, meaning you have to upgrade them more often and incur that expense. This also limits your uptime, causing upset customers and a delay in production.

Negotiate

You need to negotiate for better pricing, even if you have been with the same manufacturer for a while. As you grow, you have more economy of scale and are helping them, too, due to larger order sizes. So revisit your contracts and ask for some revisions.

Use Online Tools

Today with Alibaba, Alibaba Express, and other resources, you can save time and money by doing your searching online, though you’ll want to, as any consumer would, read reviews and read their return policy. These sites let you find manufacturers that specialize in your product all with a few clicks. You can even chat and communicate directly through these sites to find the best price.

Keep Track of Everything

There’s nothing more frustrating than manufacturing too little or too much of something you really need. If you don’t have enough of whatever you were manufacturing, you lose a lot of valuable time, but if you order too much, you are spending a lot more money than you need to. Use software to keep track of your needs and reduce the chance of human error.

Use Market Research

Your products need a high ROI to continue helping your company. If your market is not responding to a new product, you need to go back to the drawing board. Use keyword research tools to see which products are trending, and let that inform your new products going forward. Controlling your costs is one of the most critical aspects of a business. If you have money coming in through revenue, but your expenses are outweighing it, you go into the red or just stay still. Keeping your manufacturing costs under control sets you up for success in your other areas. If you are looking for the software you need to make your manufacturing much easier, check out our services here.

References:

Metal Castings | Richmond Industries How to Negotiate with Powerful Suppliers | Harvard Business Review 9 Tips To Safely Navigate The World Of Online Shopping | AllShopsDirectory