For some production lines, it is an important to have production kept in the US, be it for a selling point, or due to any number of material or manufacturing restrictions (for example, Berry Compliance). Keeping production in the US can seem like a daunting task, but it is no more difficult than sourcing an overseas manufacturer. A sewing contract could serve you better when they’re in the U.S.

There are many perks to working with a Domestic Sewing Contractor, including:

• Easier Business to Business communication
• The ability to bring high quality American made goods to market
• Less shipping and freight costs to you
• The ability to visit and meet the company
• More involvement during the production process
• … And more!

Here are some steps you can take to not only keep your sewing contracts in the US, but also help your custom product thrive in the market.

Choose a Contract Manufacturing Partner that offers Prototyping and Design Services. Working with your Domestic Contract Manufacturing Partner from the very early design stages benefits your business in more ways than one. Not only does it help build a good relationship, it also helps the production team learn your product from the inside out. This way, you will be on the same page for the entire prototype to production process, and it allows an experienced designer to make suggestions based on the patterns rather than after you shell out extra money for a prototype from another agency or manufacturer. Our skilled Prototype and Design team is one of the best in the medical device and carrying case industry, and have followed innumerable products through the entire prototype to production process. Check out this article we wrote for MedCity News for some more tips on working with a Contract Manufacturer.

Communication is Key. While there are fewer language barriers while producing domestically, lack of clear communication can still pose a threat to your products manufacturing timeline. Make sure to concisely communicate any design concerns pre-production (or even pre-prototype!) to avoid any issues. Check out this article on how to communicate your Designs to Manufacturers from Makers Row.

Product turnaround may be generally faster, but not every time. Working with a Domestic Contract Manufacturer means shorter shipping times, avoiding customs, and no expensive overseas post-production bulk shipping. However, most contract manufacturers work with a number of clients at a time, and while they do their best to efficiently produce top quality products, there may be a lead-time on your project. A lead-time is the time between the product proposal and the execution of full-scale production. If there are other product lines in the queue to be completed, the lead-time may be longer. Making sure to properly time your orders based on consumer needs is important to maintaining a good relationship on both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer sides.

Choose a Contract Manufacturing Partner that utilizes a production line. Using a production line is important to efficient and productive manufacturing practice. A production line involves the materials traveling from sewer to sewer, each worker performing specific actions to contribute to the end product, and the product being a combined effort of all the workers. This is arguably the most efficient production practice, and will save both you and the manufacturer money: there will be not only less time spent on each piece, but also less product waste and error (saving you money if you pay either per piece or hourly). We utilize a production line factory layout with our Industrial Sewing machines, which helps us provide excellent sewing services for reasonable prices.

Don’t let the costs scare you. It’s no secret that Domestic Manufacturing is more expensive. Due to higher material costs, higher wages, and more, your products price per unit may not be as expected. That being said, overseas manufacturing could end up costing you more than just money. Being able to say that your product is Made in the USA opens you up to a whole new market, especially when it comes to medical device solutions or custom equipment carrying cases. Both you and your Contract Manufacturing Partners goal is to bring your product to market efficiently and reasonably.

Related Reading on our Blog: Choosing a Contract Manufacturing Partner

Further Reading: A Small Clothing Maker Tries To Keep Sewing in the U.S. via NY Times, Choosing a Domestic vs. Foreign Manufacturer via The Balance