Reshoring Your Plastic Injection Molded Components: A Strategic Approach
Comments Off on Reshoring Your Plastic Injection Molded Components: A Strategic ApproachThe changing conditions in the global marketplace have manufacturers reconsidering just about everything, particularly their supply chains. Whie this environment can be challenging, the goal remains simple: to continue to maximize profit and efficiency, while minimizing risk. Tariffs in particular have placed urgency on these considerations. But the case for reshoring your plastic injection molded parts goes beyond uncertain economic policies. Today, we’ll lay out a plan for your plastic part sourcing, regardless of tariff outcomes.
Making the Best of Both Worlds
Unlike countless click-bait articles that you find online these days, we’ll get right down to our recommendation: employ a hybrid approach. Here, you would have your molds made offshore, but bring the injection molding back stateside. Tariffs aside, there are many benefits to going this route.
Leveraging Offshore Mold Making Expertise
As we discussed in an earlier blog entitled, Should You Source Your Injection Molds from China or the USA?, China has come a long way in recent decades when it comes to the art of mold making. While American mold makers still play an important role, especially when it comes to repairs or extremely demanding requirements, significant cost savings can be realized. Many Chinese companies offer excellent quality and quicker turnaround, as they have refined their processes throughout the years. But as with any supplier – the key though is to make sure you are working with one that is established, reputable and can handle your requirements. Resist the temptation to immediately go with the lowest bidder. While they still might win the job, do your research to make sure they are a good fit.
Bringing Injection Molding Home
Transitioning the actual injection molding to US facilities eliminates the significant barriers that come with overseas production and offers many advantages.
- Better Communication and Collaboration – let’s face it, it’s easier to do business with someone that speaks your language. Especially when dealing with injection molding, where we have a language all our own! Small translation issues can lead to big problems down the road.Time zones also create challenges that cause inconveniences such as middle-of-the-night conference calls and delayed responses. Also, working with a US-based supplier allows for facility visits without international travel and the headaches (and costs) associated with it.
- Quality Assurance and Transparency – it’s well known that American manufacturers are typically dedicated to quality management systems and greater transparency. This includes accessible quality documentation and certification, and easier verification of materials and processes with on-site visits.
- Streamlined Logistics and Reduced Lead Times – we probably don’t need to spend much time explaining that domestic production dramatically simplifies your supply chain. Shipping time and costs are significantly reduced. Shorter shipping distances also improve an organization’s carbon footprint.
- Agility and Responsiveness – US-based production provides better agility to manufacturers allowing them to respond quicker to changes in market/customer demands. It also allows for shorter runs, especially in the earlier stages of a product’s lifecycle. Overall, keeping your production closer to home means quicker problem resolution should any issues arise.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Considerations – We’ve all heard the unfortunate stories of companies violating IP protections. Reshoring provides stronger legal protections for your designs and processes. Also, should an infringement arise, it’s easier to fight it here, than there.
Achieving Success with a More Resilient Supply Chain
By having your molds made in China while reshoring injection molding operations, you will have a more resilient and reliable supply chain that combines reliability with cost effectiveness. By taking this hybrid approach, you help insulate your business from potential tariff impacts, while addressing the challenges associated with offshore manufacturing.
At a time when supply chain resilience is increasingly recognized as a competitive advantage, this strategic combination positions your company to navigate global uncertainties while maintaining control over the critical aspects of your production process.