Inside Look at the RFQ Process: Contract Manufacturing
I'll be talking about a pretty typical process you can have with any business contractor or supplier in my blog post today. You've probably heard about the Request for Quote a lot (RFQ)
Assume your development project is nearing its conclusion. You have screened a few potential contract manufacturers and suppliers, and you have a shortlist of 3–8 potential suppliers.
Prepare an RFQ as the next stage in marketing your product (request for quotation). You are putting together the paperwork needed for your CM to start production. They must first succeed on the quote exam, though.
How Should I Prepare for the RFQ and What Should I Provide?
Receiving an RFQ package in stages is, in my experience, very tedious and time-consuming. Please send the entire RFQ package if you would want to do so. Sending the drawings one week, the SourcedX the following week, and the specifications the following week is useless. Avoid doing it; it's annoying and impolite. Working with a good contract manufacturers System will make them rapidly forget about you.
Therefore, you should email them the file together with your RFQ. The best course of action is to zip up all of this data and upload it to Google Drive. You could also put the majority of this on SourcedX if you know what you're doing.
STEP files are preferred for 3D files. Avoid using STL if there is a plastic component since you cannot determine the weight of a plastic component using an STL file. Also required are the 2D files. Tolerances, material grade, and some part specs are the most crucial elements of a 2D file. Any QC needs, such as pull tests, stress testing, etc., would go under this category.
When I get a good BOM, I can trust the company I'm working with. The BOM ought to be the simplest document to gather, therefore this is absurd. The BOM is where your product's knowledge is kept, and it's remarkable how many customers don't comprehend it. You had better have a thorough BOM if you are concerned that your CM won't manufacture your product up to specification.
This typically needs to be done throughout the vetting procedure. They will be curious in your company's business strategy, funding, and other factors, just like the CM was when you questioned them extensively. Naturally, if you are a larger firm, they won't ask you these questions, but if you are a smaller company, be ready to respond to them. They simply want to make sure that if they collaborate with you, you have the resources, personnel, and execution strategy to carry out the strategy.
This is a request I make infrequently for the quotation's first phase. This is crucial as the connection develops, though. We require the prototype before we can complete your price or begin a design for manufacturing (DFM) project.
My preferred method of learning the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is from the client. The main reason for this is that I don't want to hurt the client's cash flow. What use is it if they have no money set aside to sell the product and all of their cash is locked up in inventory? I generally prefer to get a target price together with the MOQ. Just to make sure we are on the right track.
It's crucial to ask yourself one question before releasing an RFQ. What materials will the supplier require to complete the production? It's a good idea to send them whatever they might need.
In order to manage your product information in a consolidated database and make wise decisions, SourcedX gives you the necessary tools. We give you the tools you need to handle your parts, vendors, bill of materials, purchase orders, and change orders in an efficient manner. You can share any of the BOM, engineering, and manufacturing data that is saved in the cloud with anyone.
Create your SourcedX account for FREE, and if you have any questions, contact us at support @sourcedx.com.