Starting a business is not easy. Sure you have the passion and knowledge for the business area you are going into, but running your business requires more than just product knowledge. You need to know how to market your product, bring it to retail and to start the customer relationship from the beginning to finalise the sale and getting more business off the back of it. However, once you handle the basics of your business you then may look at ways to improve it, and one of them could be the decision to start manufacturing your own products rather than outsourcing. There are some huge advantages to this, you can make a saving on the costs involved by keeping it in-house, and you can also have more control over it. However, getting started may seem like a huge step so here are some of the things that you can consider to ensure that you take the right steps.

Think about the production line

When it comes to the production line of your product you do need to cover every aspect. Every component needs to be either hand done or have a machine in place to put it together, and you also need to factor in the timescale it will take. There will be smaller elements such as the nylon tube that is used in food production lines, to intricate small parts needing to be pieced together. It will be different for every business, but once you finalise the details you will have a better idea of the scope, how long it takes and also the scale in which you can produce your item.

Where will you do it?

Many businesses start from home and do so for a long time, but deciding on manufacturing your own products may mean that you need to scale up your business empire. This could mean that you now need to consider a business location in orde tot house the machines and additional staff to produce your products Furthermore, you will also need to take into account the logistics. Your product needs to be able to reach outlets and shops, or to be distributed out directly to customers. Good transport links will be an essential plus point when finding the right place.

Health and safety

When it comes to producing your own products, you need to factor in that there will be more staff that are under your responsibility and leadership. This could be on a bigger scale than before, and whether they manually make your products or use machines to help create them, you will need to take into account your healthy and safety procedures. Regular risk assessments will need to take place to ensure that you can take care of the staff you employ to do this job.

The benefits

Of course, with this change can come big benefits. The cost saving from having to outsource it, the additional shipping costs you may have faced, the added time you will now lose, and also having more control over the product and how it is produced. All of which can be used as additional sales tools to help publicise and make your product even more successful.

Let’s hope this has given you food for thought when it comes to manufacturing your own products in the future.