Local manufacturing can hardly be called an innovative solution. You could even say that it is, in a sense, a return to the roots of production, when small and medium-sized companies supported each other to implement new tech. But now this approach takes on a new meaning. Companies are increasingly choosing local production because this solution turns out to be the best and most profitable for their projects.
Not so long ago, during a conversation with one of our clients, Kamil Gębala from TaxusIT, we heard the following words that perfectly summarize the idea of local manufacturing.
“I am glad that Polish companies can create truly innovative, original products and technologies based on their own resources and know-how. And even if they are not able to do everything on their own, other Polish companies come to help.”
Apart from the idea itself, in the article below, we will also talk about the specific benefits that our customers derive from local production. Here are the 5 biggest advantages of the trend called local manufacturing.
1. Faster introduction of high-quality products to the market
The emergence of Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printers is a huge factor in the growing popularity of the local manufacturing trend. These devices premiered in 2016, and it quickly became clear that device manufacturers would have a new, very attractive solution at their disposal.
These printers, designed for use in production, have enabled high-quality products to be brought to market much faster while reducing production costs. They can produce many parts in a single cycle, and the large printing chamber allows the production of up to several hundred parts simultaneously. As part of our service, orders for this number of parts are delivered to customers within five business days, and even as quickly as three in special cases.
Additionally, the technology enables the creation of complex geometries without using platforms and ensures precision (+/-0.3mm ≤ 100 mm, +/-0.3% >100mm) and high strength on each axis. This means that by using MJF, companies can quickly introduce their products to the market without having to invest in an injection mold, which would cost several hundred thousand dollars. PLN and even several dozen days of waiting.
The possibilities of the technology are very attractive for companies that want to introduce devices requiring high-quality parts to the market quickly. Cortivision, a company that creates devices for examining brain activity, was in such a situation.
The project in question was very demanding in terms of quality and precision, but after testing the prototypes, the company ordered a batch of 20 parts. Some of them even ended up on the International Space Station.
2. Long-term partnership cooperation
Local production significantly facilitates building long-term partnerships between the company and the supplier. The close relationship not only provides flexibility and enables the rapid delivery of parts but also enables more frequent meetings between manufacturers, designers, and engineers.
As suppliers, this allows us to understand our customers’ needs much better. We observe processes and can propose the best solutions, knowing the capabilities of the technology we work with.
This is also particularly important when the same technology is used for prototyping and production, which is what HP Multi Jet Fusion enables. Local production eliminates delays associated with shipping components from distant locations, reduces transportation and storage costs, and allows for more flexible supply chain management.
It’s hard to find a better example of such a relationship than our long-term partnership with Unilogo – a company located just several meters away from us. This is how Mateusz Berk, product owner of Unilogo, sums up his cooperation with us.
“From the very beginning of our cooperation, we have always been able to count on the partnership approach and full understanding of our challenges by the Cubic Inch team. Over the years, our company has grown, and needs have changed. However, the design support and parts from Cubic Inch have remained an important part of our process. I wish everyone such business partners.”
3. Production in the just-in-time model
Local production and the just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing model work in symbiosis. In the JIT model, production is based on current demand, minimizing the costs associated with storing excess inventory.
Using local suppliers supports this strategy by ensuring quick delivery of components and materials, which is crucial for timely order fulfillment. Components can be delivered “on demand” without the need to maintain large inventories, which reduces operating costs and the risk of product obsolescence.
Our cooperation with Berger & Kraft is a model example of such an application of this combination. The company produces specialized medical equipment, so the demand is very difficult to plan. Our technology allows the customer to quickly order enclosures according to the number of orders – without the need to generate inventories and freeze funds.
4. Securing the supply chain
Ordering locally, especially using fast additive technologies, helps secure your supply chain. This proximity minimizes the time needed for transportation, which reduces the risk of delays resulting from logistical problems, such as delays in international transport, changes in customs regulations, or disruptions caused by natural disasters.
This is an invaluable value for production companies for which any downtime is associated with very high costs. The ability to eliminate this risk was one of the main reasons why Colgate Palmolive Manufacturing decided to order format parts from us. We have been supporting the factory for 6 years, regularly supplying key parts for production processes.
5. Implementation of innovative products in an iterative model
Another aspect is also the combination of the main advantages of local production and Multi Jet Fusion technology, and the ideal project that shows this relationship is our cooperation with IC Solution.
The Poznań team wanted to introduce a modern device for electronic signatures to the market, but at the time of contact they were still not 100% sure about the design of the device. Therefore, the key need was to be able to produce several shorter series in order to test and collect feedback. The demand for products was also unknown, so the client wanted to place irregular orders and in changing volumes.
Local production using technology enabling quick and cost-free changes between series turned out to be a hit. Thanks to our service, the client managed to reduce costs on many levels (parts, warehouse costs, design and even assembly of elements).
Above all, however, the client obtained a flexible, iterative process that was ideal for him, which allowed for healthy and rapid development of the product until the final version was obtained.
Take advantage of our (local) support in implementing your projects
Cooperation with local producers is what drives our team. Every month we have the pleasure of working on fascinating projects of Polish companies, which we support both in terms of design and in the supply of parts and housings.
