Plastics are greatly in demand nowadays. Many industries, including medical, aerospace, marine, and construction, may use plastic components or even raw plastic resins in the manufacture of their products. In order to ensure a steady supply source, it is important to cultivate a strong relationship with a competent plastic manufacturer. If you are a purchaser, you probably understand well the importance of securing high-quality products in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
There are many manufacturers of plastic components and resins on the market using a wide variety of different technologies. The variety of choices can be quite confusing for customers who are not intimately familiar with the world of plastic manufacturing. In order to help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of important factors to consider when choosing a plastic manufacturer. They are:
- Does the company offer the product and material(s) you need?
There are hundreds of commercial plastics available today. Does the company you are considering offer the material you need? Does it offer the material in the shape that you need? Some materials are only available in rod, and some only in resin, for example. Do you need the material machined, stamped, or molded? Your needs will largely depend on the specific details of your application. Do you need very low tolerances? Does your application include exposure to harsh chemicals, water, or UV light? These are all important factors.
- Do they offer the right technology and quality?
The technology used by the manufacturing firm is another important aspect that should be considered. Go for a firm that uses the latest technologies as well as the right production methodologies for the material that your business requires. Quality should also be your concern, so always check the products before hiring the supplier, to ensure that the quality is at par with international standards and also serves your individual requirements.
- What standard does the company use?
If you’re buying a finished plastic component or plastic hardware, it’s important to make sure that your supplier uses a standard that works for you. Are they using the ANSI standard, the ISO standard, or something metric? Other companies actually make up their own dimensions, so their catalog becomes their default “standard.” Find out exactly what you can expect.
- Location
The location of the manufacturer can also be a deciding factor, although, in today’s global economy, this may not be greatly important to your company. Choosing a supplier who is nearby may reduce your delivery times and shipping costs. It is also often helpful to be able to contact a customer service team who is in the same time zone as you.
- Additional Services
A number of plastic manufacturing firms render services catering to comprehensive project design as well as implementation. Their engineering solutions might help you in design creation that is apt for the final product that you would be manufacturing. Moreover, they also provide assembly services, and some providers may even analyze the final products and suggest enhancements or modifications. Such additional services may help your business grow, apart from receiving the desired raw materials.
- Track Record
Checking the track record of a firm will give a clear outline of its performance. It is advisable to go for a manufacturer who scores high on credibility and is good at delivering what is promised.
- Price
For the majority of customers, this is the most important factor. Fancy materials and manufacturing technologies are nice but not worth an unreasonably high price. By comparing the prices quoted by different plastic manufacturers, you can always come up with the best possible deal.
There you have it! Questions? Comments? Let us know in the comments section below.
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