Sourcing and manufacturing local is an increasingly popular trend in the business world. Why? Because there are so many benefits! Most people find that it saves their company time, money, and headaches. However, it can also be difficult to know where to start when trying to source locally. I’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know about why sourcing and manufacturing locally is a smart choice for your production order.
There are many benefits to manufacturing locally. One of the most important aspects is that you will have a shorter lead time, which means that you can get your product to market faster than if you were producing overseas. In addition, shorter lead times allow companies to get feedback from customers faster and make changes before it’s too late. This is especially important for new products that need iteration in order for them to be successful on the market.
In the end, it’s all about management and control. When you source and manufacture locally, you can see your product being made in real time. This allows for better oversight of the entire process, which can help prevent delays. If there are any issues or problems that arise during production, manufacturers will be more responsive to your needs because they’re nearby and accessible.
Many businesses are surprised to discover how much they pay in shipping costs. For example, if you need 3,000 t-shirts printed and delivered to your business location, here’s a breakdown of what that would look like with multiple different suppliers:
- $0.49 per shirt = Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) + Amazon Prime (4-7 business days)
- $1.50 per shirt = Shipping from China via DHL or UPS Ground + Buyer Pays Shipping Costs (10+ business days)
- $1.99 per shirt = Local Manufacturer’s Shipping and Handling Fees + Buyer Pays Shipping Costs ($0-$20 depending on weight)
- You can solve problems faster.
- You have access to a wider range of expertise, meaning you can get more personal attention.
- More technical support and assistance in handling problems.
In addition to the obvious advantages of sourcing and manufacturing locally, there are several other benefits that may not be so obvious. First, you’ll be able to grow your business locally. This means that you can hire local people and put them in charge of certain aspects of your company—such as sales or customer service—which will help build a loyal customer base. Also, if you want to expand your business but don’t want all that extra overhead, consider expanding into another location instead of adding more stores or warehouses. You’ll have more control over your company when it’s based locally because everything happens on-site so there won’t be any delays caused by shipping long distances; plus it’ll cost less too!
By sourcing locally, you can visit your supplier. That means you can see how they work and what their facilities look like, as well as inspect their equipment and raw materials.
This added transparency will improve quality control over the products you are producing. You’ll have a better idea of what to expect from them when it comes time for production, which means less risk for delays or defects in your orders.
- Supporting local businesses. When you buy locally, it helps your community by keeping dollars in the local economy. This is especially important if you are a small business owner as it directly impacts your bottom line.
- Giving back to the community. It’s not just about making money; there are other benefits to purchasing from a local manufacturer that go beyond just saving money on your production order. For example, when you source domestically and manufacture locally, you can ensure that the company manufacturing your product is giving back to their community through donations or volunteer hours at local schools or hospitals, among other things.
there are numerous benefits to sourcing and manufacturing locally
But perhaps the biggest reason to source locally is that it will help you get your product to market faster. The time difference between finished goods arriving at a local warehouse and being shipped across town can mean days, even weeks, saved in time-to-market. In today’s fast-paced world of online buying, this could mean millions of dollars in lost revenue for your company if you’re not careful about managing your production flow properly.
There are other benefits as well:
better management & control over the entire process; cheaper shipping costs (especially internationally); more technical support and assistance with handling problems; greater quality control & added transparency with suppliers
In conclusion, sourcing and manufacturing locally is the way to go. It can help you get a leg up on your competition and offer more opportunities for growth in the future of your business. By using local suppliers, it will make it easier for you to handle any problems that might arise during production time which will save time and money overall. With all these benefits combined together under one roof; there really isn’t anything else left to say other than go ahead and start sourcing today!
