Jun. 10, 2024
Energy
Whether you currently have a brand with an existing customer base or you are just starting up, there comes a time when you want to find a reliable manufacturer to launch a new product.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website oem and odm services.
There are two terms that may change your brand forever: OEM and ODM.
Before you sign a manufacturing contract, there are several factors you should be aware of to get the most out of these two distinct service offerings.
If you have no prior experience with a manufacturing process or you feel challenged to choose reliable manufacturers, keep reading!
The term OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which refers to businesses and factories that manufacture orders based on the specifications provided by their clients. They then sell OEM products back to their client. In other words, an OEM company will produce products for another business.
For example:
Therefore, the design is exclusive to Apple and the production is carefully managed by their contracted manufacturers.
This results in a product that might have been assembled by many different manufacturers, but the product still retains the original specifications set by Apple.
The term ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturer, which describes a production company that offers standardized goods and essentially leases their designs to customers on a private label or white label basis, saving their customers the expense of product development and research.
For ODM manufacturing, customers only need to find a factory that produces the products they want. There is no need to design a product themselves.
When it comes to making dreams come true, original design manufacturing has been one of the most preferred ODM products in recent years as it shortens the time a brand takes to get its product to market. All they need to do is source a product that already exists.
Third-party chargers are an example of an ODM product. If you search for chargers on Amazon, you will notice that several manufacturers have roughly the same design. While the product uses the same fundamental design, each has specific branding, colors, and packaging according to the buyers needs.
As a consumer or business owner, its essential to understand the terms and differences between them to create a successful business. The main difference between the OEM vs ODM is how product development is conducted. As the customer, you have to consider the differences in time, costs, and IP ownership.
In addition, OEM service providers are experts in meeting product specifications for their clients: from re-tooling their factory to ramping up production.
Meanwhile, ODM services often specialize in packaging design, not directly designing products.
While developing your business, many circumstances can influence your way. If a brand has an R&D budget and a suitable time-to-market strategy, then working with an OEM is a good fit. If time and resources are limited, the ODM model is the best way for products to be manufactured with a quick turnaround.
In addition, an effective business relationship does matter if you are looking for overseas manufacturers. It is difficult for business owners or corporations to come to the location and monitor specific outcomes. Youll need a genuine manufacturing partner whos eager to bring your design dreams to fruition.
Before you can answer this question, you should consider the risks and benefits of each service before signing a deal with a contract manufacturer. Whatever service you choose for your brand development, the solution should also assist you in the other business goals you set out.
Here are some scenarios for the pros and cons of using OEM vs. ODM services for your business challenges:
There is a big misunderstanding of business owners when they hand over their product designs to an OEM service. They believe that the original equipment manufacturing will take responsibility for researching the legalities of product compliance. However, this is not the case. If you have a new product, make sure to conduct legal and market research before briefing the OEM to produce.
Like any form of contract manufacturing, the buyer must negotiate favorable terms (production costs, payment terms, liabilities, etc). With an ODM model, you may want to add other protections into your contract such as guarantees the supplier didnt copy the ODM products from another company.
When deciding to use an OEM vs an ODM, it really comes down to available resources.
If a company has a research and development budget, along with a reasonable time-to-market plan, then using an OEM is a good fit. If time and resources are scarce, then ODM is the route to go to launch a product with the least effort and investment necessary.
Using OEM and ODM products can launch your company to the next level while saving you time, and money, and reducing the stress and responsibility of producing products yourself. Here are 4 steps to help you pick the right contract manufacturer.
When you have a clear idea of what you want, it is much easier to choose a manufacturer. For example, if you need to make pants, you can now concentrate on finding a producer who is skilled in clothing.
You must also understand your current business costs and the investment needed for stock so that you can evaluate how much you can spend on manufacturing while still making a profit.
Related article: How MOQs play a big role in the success or failure of your business.
Make a detailed plan that shows the type of supplier you need to work with, the number of processing plants you may need, the purchase order amount, and any logistical requirements.
Create a long list of suppliers and then conduct background checks on the top 15-20 manufacturers. Check with them directly to see if they have a track record of success and experience delivering your type of products and using your required manufacturing procedures and tools.
Related article: The benefits of working with a Made-In-Vietnam planter manufacturer
Before you make your final decision, youll need to obtain a sample of your item to inspect the quality. The cost of samples can range from free to a limited cost. Some products might only be available to inspect during a visit to the factory.
Genuine manufacturers will have no problem with this; in fact, its reasonable to expect an audit of some kind from the buyer.
If theyre unwilling to send you samples or allow an inspection, theyre not going to be a good partner, and you should replace them right away.
When you have the sample that you require and have gone through the testing process, now its time to submit your request and begin the full production process.
You must create a purchase order form (PO). If you dont, and instead simply accept the proforma receipt from your producer, you may be putting yourself at risk. If you write the PO, you have complete control over the details of your order.
Furthermore, you can include the terms your contract manufacturer must agree to. Get a confirmation that the agreement includes all payment terms and penalties for noncompliance.
After discussing with the supplier, you will have a better idea of their production ability and authenticity. Remember to pay attention to:
Of course, its also important to know their factory location and how this benefits your supply chain and manufacturing costs. Learn why Vietnam manufacturing and sourcing saves you money.
You would save valuable time with ODM since you can get a final product without engaging yourself in the tiresome product development process. In OEM, you have to develop the product yourself.
In concept, yes. The idea behind ODM and private labeling is that the manufacturer provides a generic product that the buyer can personalize with their own logo.
A private-label item is one that is manufactured by one company but bears the brand name of another. Overall, the items manufacturer provides an instant item format to which different purchasers can apply their own brands. Another important criterion is that private label items are made with existing tooling, such as infusion molds.
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The benefit of private labeling is that you can create a branded item without investing excessive time and money in product development and tooling. As a result, you can ship an item much faster and at a lower cost.
This is beneficial if you intend to release a non-exclusive item that is already available in some form. As a result, you cant make configuration changes to a private label item, making it more difficult to break rank and produce a product with a unique USP.
As mentioned above, some might ask what exactly are the differences between private label products and white labeling.
Creative Design Manufacturing (commonly known as CDM) is a dependable manufacturing powerhouse specialized in hand-made fiberglass planters that supply some of the worlds most well-known brands.
Offering both ODM and OEM services, our various factories are equipped to bring your product needs to reality.
If you are looking for a new partner for your forthcoming manufacturing requirements, we do it all from delivering entire standard product ranges to customized manufacturing, as well as worldwide shipping.
Contact us and feel free to include your biggest manufacturing desires and challenges. We are pleased to work with you!
In conclusion, we hope our article can make your business decisions a little easier. As part of our mission to be the best manufacturer in our niche planter solutions, we regularly pack our blog with the latest manufacturing trends and expert guides to use our planters to reach your business goals!
Manufacturing is just the tip of the production iceberg. Before that, a whole world of design goes into creating unique products. Depending on your business, you might be doing your own design or using preexisting designs. Its like choosing between baking a cake from scratch or using a mix from the store. Both can be delicious, but one requires a little more creativity and effort.
There are distinct names for these different business models: OEM and ODM. They might sound like some elaborate spy code or illegal party drugs, but they do belong to the manufacturing industry:
But what endless manufacturing possibilities lie behind those words?
OEM means a company designs and develops a product but often outsources manufacturing to a third-party company. The third-party manufacturer then creates the product under the brand name of the company that designed it. In other words, the company that developed the product doesnt actually manufacture it itself. Instead, they focus on product design, marketing, and sales.
Examples of OEM
One of the biggest OEM companies is Apple. They design their own products but outsource manufacturing to Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics company that also creates components for HP and Dell. While Apple designs its products in-house, manufacturing is outsourced to Foxconn to save on costs and effort, with the rights to the design and finished goods still belonging to Apple.
The ODM approach involves the manufacturer not only producing the items but also designing them from scratch. In this case, the manufacturer is responsible for the entire product development process, from design to production. The company that hires the ODM manufacturer will then sell the product under its own brand name.
A big ODM industry is smart devices. Companies such as Qualcomm produce microchips for smartphones and tablets that they design and manufacture themselves. Then big electronics companies like Sony and Motorola buy their goods, possibly relabel them and use them in their own products. While Sony and Motorola now own these specific chips, the intellectual ownership of the product design is still Qualcomms.
To conclude, the main difference between OEM and ODM is that with OEM, the company that designed the product outsources the manufacturing, while with ODM, the manufacturer produces and designs the product.
Aside from OEM and ODM, theres another manufacturing model that deserves mentioning contract manufacturing (CM). When comparing OEMs vs. contract manufacturing, the difference is in the offered service and the level of input. While with OEMs, the manufacturers often work with buyers in the design stage to be on the same page, a CM is precisely what the name suggests, a company hired to complete the manufacturing process.
OEM and ODM services can be offered in a variety of industries, including electronics, consumer goods, and health devices. Both services provide advantages to businesses, as they save money on production costs while offering high-quality products. Here are some examples of the services provided by each.
OEMs typically focus on manufacturing and assembly services, with some also offering troubleshooting and product service for the manufactured components.
Services offered by OEMs include:
ODMs offer a more comprehensive range of services, as they are involved in the entire product development and manufacturing process.
Services offered by ODMs are mainly similar to OEM services but also include the following:
Choosing the perfect manufacturing model for your company is challenging and shouldnt be taken lightly. You know your business and its specific needs and processes, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. One isnt generally better than the other, but one could offer more benefits to your business. Here are some key points you may want to consider when deciding on a manufacturing model.
If your business has strong design capabilities and can create unique and innovative products, then ODM may be your better option. On the other hand, if you lack design expertise and need products to be made to your specific requirements, OEM may be a better fit.
ODM products are generally less expensive to produce, as the manufacturer has already invested in design and tooling. If manufacturing cost is a significant factor for your business, then ODM may be the better option.
If you want to build a strong manufacturing brand identity and market your products as your own, OEM may be the best solution for your business. However, ODM may be a better fit if you are willing to sell products under the manufacturers brand and focus on delivering quality products at a lower cost.
Some industries and markets require specific certifications or compliance with regulations. If your products require particular certificates and standards, OEM may be the better option, as you can outsource to a manufacturer who has already taken the time to get certified.
Katana is a cloud-based production planning and inventory management software for small and medium-sized manufacturers, including ODM, OEM, and CM businesses. Whether you create your own products from scratch or outsource your manufacturing, in both cases, there are many areas of the business to oversee.
One of the most essential features of Katana is its inventory management capabilities. It allows manufacturers to track their inventory levels in real time, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. This can help OEMs and ODMs optimize inventory levels and reduce waste and stockouts.
Outsourcing refers to sending some or all of your purchase orders to be fulfilled by a contract manufacturer outside your own business. Outsourcing can be useful for companies that dont have the capacity to produce goods in-house or need to access specialized equipment or skills. Weve even put together a video series explaining OPOs and how they work in Katana.
Katana allows manufacturers to schedule production, create and manage manufacturing orders, assign tasks to employees, and track the progress of each assignment. Shop-level workers can access their tasks in the Shop Floor App, where they can view and edit them, triggering changes in inventory levels and production operations. This way, manufacturers can streamline their production processes and eliminate inefficiencies.
Using Katana, manufacturers can create and manage bills of materials for their products. This can help ODMs ensure they have the necessary raw materials and components to manufacture their products, and OEMs keep track of their supplies and parts.
Katana provides users with real-time information and manufacturing analytics about their production processes. With this feature, manufacturers can track sales, monitor the progress of production orders, and identify areas where to optimize their operations to reduce manufacturing waste and increase efficiency. The data and insights feature also includes customizable dashboards and reports, which allow users to visualize their data and highlight the statistics most essential to their business.
With Katanas open API, users can integrate with other software tools, such as accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and CRM systems, to fulfill their specific business needs. There are also many existing integrations to build a custom workspace and create personalized workflows.
Book a demo to get all your questions answered regarding Katanas features, integrations, pricing, and more.
Get a demoAnd there you have it.
Now that you know the difference between OEMs and ODMs, its time to start skyrocketing your manufacturing business with Katana and also impress your friends at your next dinner party with all this new knowledge. Just dont blame us if they start asking you to design and manufacture their products.
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