If you’re looking for a company to manufacture products for your business or organization, you might contract with a manufacturing partner in Tijuana, Mexico. Doing so is a particularly wise option for American companies due to such benefits as:
- Keeping manufacturing close to home while still saving on labor costs
- Increasing capacity quickly to scale manufacturing
- Improving your ability to get your products to market in a timely manner
- Allowing you to more closely monitor manufacturing processes
- Giving you the freedom to respond to changes in demand with greater efficiency
- Access to highly trained workforce and US-grade facilities
Those are just a few reasons contracting with a manufacturer in Tijuana is an option worth strongly considering. Keep the following tips in mind when searching for a manufacturer to find the right partner for your goals:
Know What You’re Manufacturing
Not all manufacturers are equipped to serve your needs. For example, perhaps you need a partner who can assist you with the manufacturing of specialty items, like medical products or electronics.
It is important to identify manufacturers with the facilities and certifications necessary to serve your needs. Make sure to prioritize your pertinent criteria, i.e., ISO 9001, ISO 13485, FDA registered, etc.
Obviously, you should narrow down your list of potential manufacturers to those who can produce the items you need manufactured. However, it’s also important to consider how your manufacturing needs may change and grow as your company grows.
Don’t just find a manufacturer who can help you now. Find one who can remain a trusted partner for years to come. Many contract manufacturing programs are established to last for many years once transferred. The relationship with the right partner is critical.
Set a Budget
Practical factors like your budget will influence the process to evaluate and identify a manufacturer in Tijuana, Mexico. It is important to have an understanding of your target pricing in order to determine if the manufacturer can meet your goals.
It is also important to understand the potential long-term costs of contracting with the “cheapest” manufacturer you can find; these options may come with both inferior quality and service. In the long run, the consequences of choosing the wrong manufacturer to contract with can be disastrous for your company.
Remember before entering into a contract to find the ideal balance between contracting with a partner who can meet your cost targets and also provide reliability and quality over time.
Learn About Import/Export Management
Knowing a manufacturer can produce the items you need is critical. That said, it’s also very important to understand the extent to which a manufacturer will assist you with the process of exporting and importing goods when necessary.
Check the Basics
There are some basic steps you can take when entering into virtually any type of contract with virtually any business offering a service. Taking these steps can help you better evaluate whether a manufacturer is capable of handling your project. They include the following:
- Check how long a manufacturer has been in business. If they’ve been serving clients like yourself for decades, odds are they do right by their clients.
- Ask if a manufacturer can provide testimonials from former clients who’ve been satisfied with their services. They should be eager to provide this information if it’s available.
- Confirm a manufacturer has all necessary insurance policies, licenses, etc.
Make sure to create a contract or Master Service Agreement that covers all of your most important criteria. By keeping these tips in mind and thoroughly vetting your options, you’ll find that choosing the right Tijuana manufacturer for your project is easier than you may have expected.
Get in Touch With a Tijuana Manufacturing Partner Today
At Coastline International, headquartered in San Diego, we have offered Tijuana-based manufacturing solutions to clients across a range of industries for over 40 years. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online today.