Procurement input needed early

Manufacturers of consumer products struggling to keep costs down should seek input from procurement at an early stage.

Information about possible materials, manufacturing processes, supply chain logistics and the design technology can all potentially make a massive difference to the cost that a new product line can bring.

Evidence from a study conducted by Redshift Research on behalf of design technology company Autodesk, has found that the biggest challenge faced by manufacturers of consumer products is how to manage quality in product development, whilst simultaneously keeping costs down.

Of the 300 “decision makers and influencers” polled in the UK, Germany and France, nine out of 10 said this was their main challenge.

A total of 74 per cent highlighted the importance of keeping a tight control on manufacturing costs, while trying to get innovative new products to the market quickly.
 
The answer, the research suggested, was being able to see what a final design looks like early in the process, because this helps to reduce inefficiencies and costs associated with going back to the drawing board.

“While many in the survey said that cutting costs was a priority, doing so in the wrong place can severely damage an organisation,” Autodesk said.

The research is merely more evidence that suggests involving procurement from the start can result in a better and more cost-effective product.

Read more here.