Conceptualizing your first startup product is exciting. When quantities grow it's easier to justify investment in high production tooling to enable lower costs. You can also search by state and even by city to find a factory near you. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). Specify, specify, specify. Before beginning the search for the right manufacturer, it is a good idea to have in mind how much has to be given up to put the product on the market. Even in these difficult times, there are many companies in almost every industry who are interested in evaluating new inventions. Since I didnt know how to sew, I reached out to a woman in my neighborhood who helped me put together the first prototype. For like minded inventors at all stages of their invention ideas and resources for inventors. When approaching a manufacturer for a quote, they most likely will be asking you for computer engineered drawings (CAD) or 3D files that the factory will be able to review in development software tools to evaluate how much material and labor may be needed. When I was trying to find a manufacturer, I reached out to everyone and anyone who I thought would be able to help connect me with the right people. I talked to the store managers of my local hardware stores. They, in turn, introduced me to local distributors, who in turn introduced me to other manufacturers. I also talked to friends of friends who had prior experience in manufacturing and the import/export business. You need to register your IP to secure any legal rights over the use of your invention. Dont be shy in calling companies, they usually tell you much more than you would expect. This didnt work, however, because the foam rubber released the fragrance too quickly. It can also involve upgrading software and hardware. Now youre trying to figure out how to get the product made but youre not sure where to start. ABOUT That company directed him to a injection molder who manufactured the cards, which led in turn to a manufacturer who showed Lahens how to mix plastic and fragrance so aromas are slowly released. Europe The European manufacturing scene is picking up, though it is a far cry from the scale at which China operates. In this video, I provide some practical . Tired of spending all his time working for someone else, the electrical engineer decided it was finally time to make a move. Clubs are listed in The Inventor's Resource Guide, available for $9.95 from the United Inventor's Association, P.O. Next, create a full-working model. Also, as mentioned earlier, check with other resources and referrals to connect you with overseas factories. Armed with all the facts about making his product, Lahens settled on a low-cost manufacturer in Canada. I used to get very excited and anxious when I set up a visit with a manufacturer. What are some challenges youve faced in bringing your invention to market? To make a low-cost mold, Lahens learned, you start with a piece of wood or plastic in the same shape as the finished product. In manufacturing any product you have choices on materials and how to make it. Be sure you know the production term for your product. 2 Register your intellectual property. Most of the time you find a trade group that most of the manufacturers belong too. Research Outreach and collect information Communicate your designs Order samples Negotiate Place your order Research A patent protects an invention and the cost of the process to get the patent will depend on the type of patent (provisional, non-provisional, or utility) and the complexity of the invention. Registry of Corporate Directors. OEM and ODM Services Create a mockup out of material that allows you to make a 3-D model. Filter what you are searching for by using the words "contract manufacturing" and include the generic industry or specific terms that the search would recognize. Follow these six steps to find the best manufacturers and suppliers for your business. a Deal Get Finding a manufacturer may be one of the most important decisions you make. These are typically run by the trade association, where you will find a member directory. To make his mold, Lahens simply had to form polyurethane compound around the plastic. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. get the Manufacture Sell Your Invention colleague that we come up with the money for here and check out the link. Identify product keywords The most important site pages for lead generation in a manufacturing business are product pages. About Step 4. Often inventors going overseas use sourcing agents who put the product in a form where manufacturers can quote on production. Coleman is an American brand and a leading company for outdoor recreation products such as camping gear, sleeping bags, lanterns, tents, stoves, coolers, and LED lights. Some general rules that apply to prototype creation include the following: Start with a drawing. Then find an experienced business person to review this document with you. Inventor Coach Brian Fried mentors and represents individual inventors to Celebrities at all stages of invention process. The moral to Lahens story? Im also not sure of what type of success Lahens had in his venture. You have remained in right site to begin getting this info. If that doesnt work you can also search for trade shows for your type of manufacturing. If those tactics dont work, you can also check at larger libraries in your area who might have the Book of Associations to find the right group for your product. Step 2. Brutally Honest Review & Licensing Opportunities, More information on manufacturing processes. Find potential manufacturers. . Call companies, see if they can produce your product and get an estimate for small and medium volume production appropriate for your part. Alibaba Alibaba connects you with manufacturers from China. Online verification may give you enough information and confidence to choose your manufacturer. Check out http://patentsbydondebelak.com/, Filed Under: Don Debelak, inventor stories Tagged With: finding a manufacturer, inventors find manufacturers, low cost prototypes, low-cost solutions, manufacturing, Private Labels Deals are Win-Win for Inventors, Copyright 2009 - 2022 by the One Stop Invention Shop. I found the best ways to do this are by: Check the MacRae's Bluebook, www.macraesbluebook.com which lists manufacturers by state by category. Successful Inventors & Business Mentors Share Their Stories! If the company is in financial trouble, it is probably too risky for you to produce your product with them. Lander sells an array of books on making prototypes and manufacturing products, and also owns a prototype-making service you can use (though he encourages working on your own prototype yourself). Search for a similar product compared to yours that can direct you towards a matching factory. Most inventors never get their product right because theyre in such a big rush to get it to market. If you do that, your business might suffer from its effect. Generating leads Assessing your network He could then make his own prototypes, to be used to test material hardness, colors and aromas. When Lahens needed prototype assistance, he turned to an inventor friendly prototype engineer, Jack Lander. Super Models Watch inspiring inventors at all stages present their inventions! Step 6: Manufacture or license your idea. Initially, when I worked on the prototypes for the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband, I looked at products from surfboard leashes to cell phone holders for design ideas. Copyright 2022 Invention City, Yes, you read that last part correctly: Lahens first steps were simply to understand the manufacturing process and determine how his model should be made. You could license your idea to a manufacturer with distribution which requires minimal risk and pays you a royalty or you may decide to go into business for yourself by manufacturing your product and taking a larger risk with potentially a greater return. Inc. All I found the best ways to do this are by: Step 3. Manufacturing processes can be broken down into the broad categories that follow. Thats a baker's dozen of sources for one of the most simple products there is. When I met them, people made suggestions to improve or simplify the product, or pointed out potential problems for freeeven people who had sounded rushed or angry on the phone, Lahens says. After you have fully protected your invention idea with a patent, it will only enter mass production and distribution if you strategically align yourself with a manufacturing partner. [5] Determine if your invention is patentable. Step 6. Privacy Policy Pay attention to the vendors on the website while doing your search by referring directly to manufacturers. The difference between an idea and a product is manufacturing. You will have trouble finding the right manufacturer without being able to describe the production process accurately. would be $.15 per unit sold. Developing Ideas Without Spending a Fortune, {Don Debelaks new book,Turning Your Invention into Cashis now available on Amazon for $3.49. But then you might be tempted to go with any available manufacturer. Just keep calling till you find one that wants your business. Get Box 23447, Rochester, NY 14692, (716) 359-9310. Once you start with a factory, it may be complicated to start moving around your production and equipment used including tooling or molds. Once the compound cured, he cut the molding compound in half, removed the piece of plastic and voila!he had a prototype mold. For example do an Internet search for plastic injection molding manufacturing trade associations. Check out more information at: http://onestopinventionshop.net/web-content-writing-services, Don Debelak offers affordable patent work. Filter what you are searching for by using the words contract manufacturing and include the generic industry or specific terms that the search would recognize. You will likely need to employ the help of a graphic designer. According to idea-invention.blogspot.com, this 3-D model will display all of your product's dimensions, and will allow you to share your idea with potential manufacturers over the Internet. Note: While pet collars with fragrance are on the market today, Im not sure if any are a result of Jorge Lahens efforts. If you dont know the process name itself try contacting these groups: Step 2. One of the best ways to make money as an inventor is to invent ways to reduce the cost and improve the quality of an existing product that has already been proven. When production quantities are low and success is uncertain you may use one process that costs more per unit but far less up front. Use this opportunity to find people with non-competing products and ask for their factory representatives. These experts wont necessarily rack their brains for ideas to help you over the phone, but as Lahens found out, they probably will in person. All new products have ups and downs. You can also search by state and even by city to find a factory near you. Manufacturing is a broad term for making copies of a product and covers a wide range of technologies. A couple you can start with are China Sourcing, and China Sourcing Forum. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. These specifications are incredibly important. Step 6: Distribution - Once the product reaches the end-user, the manufacturer delivers the finished good to them. What has been the most difficult part of generating leads? Do you need web content? in order to convince a manufacturer, you'll need a prototype to sell them on why the idea will be successful. a prototype communicates to the world that you're serious and willing to take risks. A simple one-cavity aluminum mold might cost only $10,000 but the parts would cost $0.40/unit. How do I find manufacturers for my innovation? Whether they want to build a prototype, find contract manufacturers, conduct market research, or create buzz on their new ventures, ThomasNet can help. If not, you may need to visit the factory in China to confirm if they are actually the manufacturer you want to use. It helps demonstrate your invention when you present it to others. rights reserved. Online eLearning course for inventors and innovators! Successful inventing requires more than thinking up a novel, useful and patentable new product. If you speak to manufacturing sources yourself (a fantastic way to learn) be aware that they will look at your product from the perspective of the kinds of solutions they offer: to a hammer everything looks like a nail. Editors Note: Andre Woolery is the creator of the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband. A patent can cost from $900 for a do-it-yourself application to between $5,000 and $10,000+ with the help of patent lawyers. Lahens market research determined his final product: a soft plastic tab available in four variationspink for baby powder scent, yellow for vanilla, blue for coconut and green for herbal. Quality matters too. Unless you are a manufacturer yourself, this can be a daunting process. Leveraging your prototype So you have a product idea and youve done enough market research to determine that this will be the best thing since sliced bread. " Producing domestically or even locally will allow you to visit the . The wristband, which is embedded with magnets, keeps drill bits and small tools handy. Clubs are listed in The Inventors Resource Guide, available for $9.95 from the United Inventors Association, P.O.
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