In this post, we discuss Stage 3 of our process for bringing your contract manufacturing project to launch. Miss our previous posts in this series on how to choose a contract manufacturing partner and wondering what’s going on? No problem! Read them now and then come back to learn more about what you can expect when working with contract manufacturing experts.
You’ve contacted the Seacole team, we’ve met, and we’ve learned more about your contract manufacturing project. It’s time to get technical! Here’s a look at the exciting third step of our contract manufacturing process, where we get down to business about the details of your project, including a technical assessment and cost analysis.
Stage 3: Technical Assessment
Our technical assessment of your contract blending project pulls several of our experts together to thoroughly review your product. We include professionals from our quality, purchasing, regulatory, production, project management, and laboratory departments in the technical assessment.
These Seacole experts review your product from their unique perspectives and requirements and then come together to discuss what is required to move the project forward. They review and verify product specifications, ensure our manufacturing processes are compatible with your needs, confirm equipment needs and regulatory demands, and evaluate your product’s handling requirements.
To perform this assessment, our team researches the market for your product, completes a competitive analysis, and reviews your strategic positioning to understand and assess the target market and product needs. Our lab chemists may use our fully equipped laboratory to review your project through their technical lens, including an autotitrator, viscometer, turbidimeter, moisture analyzer, pH meter, flash point tester, and comparator.
If you feel like our team may ask a lot of questions during this stage, you’re right. While our detailed review may seem overwhelming at first, it is designed to provide you with the best-quality solution for your project. Our process is thorough to assure that the final product we create meets all of your needs. Here’s a short list of just a few of the questions we may ask you during our technical assessment.
- What is the intended use and purpose of the product?
- What environment will the product be used in?
- What volumes do you require?
- What are the safety concerns for the product?
- What is your cost target?
- What packaging options do you want to consider?
- What are the product’s labeling requirements?
- What regulations will govern the product?
- What are your lot tracking needs?
Stage 3: Cost Analysis
Once the technical assessment is complete, our team will have enough information to perform a thorough cost analysis for your product. The cost of manufacturing depends largely on your service needs. Seacole provides a full array of services to a customer, including formulation, raw material sourcing, testing, mixing, packaging, labeling, storing, shipping, and blind shipping options. We can cost a project with or without options, depending on your needs.
Projects pass through Stage 3 when all departments have reviewed and verified the requirements and we meet with you to confirm our results meet and exceed your expectations of the project.
Sound like a lot of work? It is, but don’t worry, this what we do! The time we invest in the technical assessment prevents headaches and heartache during the production process.
With Stage 3 complete, we can now confidently move your project forward to Stage 4: Pricing Strategy and Operations Planning. More on Stage 4 in the next blog post of the “What You Need to Know When Choosing a Contract Manufacturing Partner” series.
When passion and chemistry collide, opportunities are born! If you have an idea for custom blending project or are looking for expert support in sourcing a chemistry you require, reach out to the Seacole, your contract manufacturing partner, today.
