Value of an Independent Plastics Resource
In today’s world of shorter development time for plastic components and significant advances in plastic materials, processes, standards, and global supply options, it makes sense to include an independent plastics resource in your design, purchasing, and manufacturing teams. Someone who has “been there, done that” will bring a new perspective and potentially new and/or additional options to bolster your approach.
An OEM engineering and purchasing team may struggle to keep up with technologies, sourcing, auditing of suppliers, etc. More often than not, the approach is to use the same resources used on the last project. This way of thinking can be dangerous to the viability of a project. A better approach is to leverage independent resources that have the correct expertise for the problem at hand. We call it targeted expertise. An independent resource can offer options and evaluate current and potential sources.
One example: A U.S. global industrial products manufacturing company with proprietary injection molding and assembly in Mexico was struggling with production yield and inconsistent product quality. An audit of the operation revealed molds and molding machine maintenance issues, no quality standard related to changes in the process, and little communication or training of factory employees. Once these areas were revealed to management, the situation was addressed, quality returned, production numbers exceeded standards, and employee training, communication, and morale improved.
Another key area that is often not fully explored is market research. Market research can be beneficial to the efforts of new product launches, strategic development for scale, competitive advantage, and the ability to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to developments in the industry. We often find that the data readily available in the industry today is not nuanced enough for most OEMs and manufacturers. As it lacks the level of depth in detail required for leadership to make the most informed decisions when it comes to the future of the company. Plastics Network Resources (PNR) has a wealth of in-house knowledge and a vast global network of resources in these arenas. An independent resource with knowledge and a network is invaluable.
Check us out!