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Finding an American Manufacture

With all the recent tariffs that have been levied on China, this might be the time to look into American manufactures. There are several very helpful sites where you can go to find a manufacturer. The site I prefer to start with is http://thejobshopcompany.com/   They have six divisions including: Design-2-Part shows, Design-2-Part Magazine, Supplier Directory, Job Shop.com and Job Shop Web Design. A job shop specializes in small production quantities, and typically is ideal for inventors starting out. Other sites to check out are: https://business.thomasnet.com/   https://makersrow.com/  www.industrynet.com/  and www.mfg.com.

Design 2 Part Shows are very helpful to inventors. They occur all over the country and they are where manufactures looking for business set up and solicit your business. Another site with a listing of shows besides The job Shop Company is https://www.d2p.com .  People you talk to who can’t help you, typically will give you leads of potential manufacturers. They will also give you opinions on the best way to make your product, and possibly direct you to designers or engineers that help inventors get their product ready for quotes from  manufactures.

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What to Prepare

Often inventors going overseas use sourcing agents who put the product in a form where manufacturers can quote on production. You can normally avoid the expense of CAD/CAM drawings by preparing: patent drawings that clearly identify each feature with a number; a glossary of each featured numbered with an explanation of the part; a listing of the materials you desire for each major feature; and clear dimensions for each major part. If possible it will help if you have a model or prototype, even if they are rough.

Besides drawings and models, I’ve found you will have an easier time if you can explain marketing information such as projected retail price, targeted customers, and key competitors. I also recommend you at least apply for a provisional patent, so you can tell manufactures you are patent pending.

Trade show networking

If directories don’t help you find a manufacture I have found visiting trade shows in your target industry to be a good tactic. The biggest trade shows for an industry are typically presented in partnership with the industry trade magazine. Do an internet search for trade magazines for your industry and you will see the industry’s trade magazines. Usually a quick search on their sites will give you the dates and locations of the trade shows.

Attend a show and walk around looking for manufacturers with similar products to yours. Talk to the people at the booth to see if they might be interested in making your product. If the company has excess capacity, they will be willing to talk to you. Sometimes, if you are short on funds, you might be able to convince the company to form a partnership with you.

Often, they will tell you they outsource their manufacturing. If that is the case, ask what manufacturers they use. About 50 percent of the time they will tell you. Ask the people at the booth if they are a company employee, or if they are independent sales representatives. If they are independent, they will work with many different companies and have many industry contacts. Ask if you can buy them lunch, or a drink after the show, and then see if they can give you advice about possible manufacturing contacts.

Increase Your Success with SCORE

Originally called Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE is a free service of the SBA that helps start-up business. I’ve found that many of the branches (you can find branch locations on www.score.org) have several retired experts with considerable manufacturing experience willing to mentor you through the manufacturing process. I recommend all inventors check out SCORE as it could save you from making some major mistakes.

Finding an American Manufacture

With all the recent tariffs that have been levied on China, this might be the time to look into American manufactures. There are several very helpful sites where you can go to find a manufacturer. The site I prefer to start with is http://thejobshopcompany.com/   They have six divisions including: Design-2-Part shows, Design-2-Part Magazine, Supplier Directory, Job Shop.com and Job Shop Web Design. A job shop specializes in small production quantities, and typically is ideal for inventors starting out. Other sites to check out are: https://business.thomasnet.com/   https://makersrow.com/  www.industrynet.com/  and www.mfg.com.

Design 2 Part Shows are very helpful to inventors. They occur all over the country and they are where manufactures looking for business set up and solicit your business. Another site with a listing of shows besides The job Shop Company is https://www.d2p.com .  People you talk to who can’t help you, typically will give you leads of potential manufacturers. They will also give you opinions on the best way to make your product, and possibly direct you to designers or engineers that help inventors get their product ready for quotes from  manufactures.

What to Prepare

Often inventors going overseas use sourcing agents who put the product in a form where manufacturers can quote on production. You can normally avoid the expense of CAD/CAM drawings by preparing: patent drawings that clearly identify each feature with a number; a glossary of each featured numbered with an explanation of the part; a listing of the materials you desire for each major feature; and clear dimensions for each major part. If possible it will help if you have a model or prototype, even if they are rough.

Besides drawings and models, I’ve found you will have an easier time if you can explain marketing information such as projected retail price, targeted customers, and key competitors. I also recommend you at least apply for a provisional patent, so you can tell manufactures you are patent pending.

Trade show networking

If directories don’t help you find a manufacture I have found visiting trade shows in your target industry to be a good tactic. The biggest trade shows for an industry are typically presented in partnership with the industry trade magazine. Do an internet search for trade magazines for your industry and you will see the industry’s trade magazines. Usually a quick search on their sites will give you the dates and locations of the trade shows.

Attend a show and walk around looking for manufacturers with similar products to yours. Talk to the people at the booth to see if they might be interested in making your product. If the company has excess capacity, they will be willing to talk to you. Sometimes, if you are short on funds, you might be able to convince the company to form a partnership with you.

Often, they will tell you they outsource their manufacturing. If that is the case, ask what manufacturers they use. About 50 percent of the time they will tell you. Ask the people at the booth if they are a company employee, or if they are independent sales representatives. If they are independent, they will work with many different companies and have many industry contacts. Ask if you can buy them lunch, or a drink after the show, and then see if they can give you advice about possible manufacturing contacts.

Increase Your Success with SCORE

Originally called Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE is a free service of the SBA that helps start-up business. I’ve found that many of the branches (you can find branch locations on www.score.org) have several retired experts with considerable manufacturing experience willing to mentor you through the manufacturing process. I recommend all inventors check out SCORE as it could save you from making some major mistakes.