Manual manufacturing processes are outdated in 2025. Factories that embrace automation for tasks like cutting or drilling see fewer defects, faster lead times, and lower costs. Explore incremental automation options to stay competitive and reduce human error.

Defective batches can disrupt your business, but a pre-agreed remake policy ensures you're protected. Define clear terms for rework or refunds, including deadlines, freight responsibilities, and defect thresholds. This strategy keeps factories accountable and safeguards your supply chain.

Strengthen supplier relationships and prevent bottlenecks with quarterly in-person meetings. Use these summits to align on performance metrics, upcoming orders, and product roadmaps. Open communication fosters collaboration, uncovers inefficiencies, and ensures long-term supply chain stability.

High employee turnover in your supplier's factory can lead to inconsistent quality and production delays. Evaluate their hiring and training practices, average employee tenure, and certifications. A stable, well-trained workforce ensures smoother operations, better quality control, and continuous improvement.

Ensure consistent quality and prevent delays by vetting your factory's sub-suppliers. Request a list of critical vendors for specialized components and perform audits to uncover potential risks. By gaining visibility into lower-tier suppliers, you can safeguard your supply chain from hidden issues.

Optimize your inventory by scheduling staggered deliveries that match your sales cycles or seasonal demand. This approach minimizes storage costs, frees up capital, and ensures timely adjustments while still leveraging factory volume discounts through single-run production.