OEM vs. ODM | Services YOU Should Know As A Brand

Author: becky

Jun. 10, 2024

Energy

OEM vs. ODM | Services YOU Should Know As A Brand

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!

What does OEM mean? How does it work?

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:

  • Apple is a technology company that invented and designed the iPhone.
  • Foxconn factory is Apple&#;s supplier that produces their smartphone (using the OEM model).

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.

What does ODM mean? How does it work?

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 buyer&#;s needs.

OEM vs ODM products: Two things to remember

The main difference between the OEM vs ODM is how product development is conducted // Photo by StudioByTheSea / Shutterstock

1. They may seem similar. They are not.

As a consumer or business owner, it&#;s 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.

2. It takes time to pick the right service

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. You&#;ll need a genuine manufacturing partner who&#;s eager to bring your design dreams to fruition.

So, Which Contract Manufacturer Is Right For My Business?

You should consider the risks and benefits of each service before signing a deal with a contract manufacturer // Photo on Alibaba

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:

Pros of using an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM):

  • Customize the product: Since buyers own the intellectual property and they have complete control of the product specifications, they can easily adjust their design requirements from the OEM manufacturer or shop around for a suitable partnership.
  • Minimize manufacturing risks: OEM manufacturing allows customers to focus on their strengths which is usually not the manufacturing process. Instead buyers can invest more in marketing and research and avoid the financial risks of manufacturing.

Cons of using an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM):

  • Hard to shift to other manufacturers: OEM companies tool their factory to the company&#;s specifications. If you need to switch your manufacturing company, it could take time to re-connect the supply chain and re-start production.
  • Costs incurred: The buyers must pay for the special tools or molds required by the OEM manufacturers, based on the manufacturing requirements.
  • Takes time: Because OEM manufacturing only focuses on producing, the OEM manufacturer is not an expert in the OEM product. They might misunderstand while taking design briefs. Since the model requires this handover of knowledge, the entire process also takes longer to get a final product.

Top tip: Remember to manage expectations when OEM manufacturing

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.

Pros of using an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM):

  • No costs incurred: Unlike OEM, the manufacturer usually has paid for the special tools or molds already before a buyer approaches them.
  • Production is straightforward: When buyers find contracts for their production, the ODM company already has working examples of their desired product. Plus ODM&#;s have a good understanding of what buyers want in terms of branding of which they specialize in. This saves time and reduces the number of production complications.
  • Quickly get to market: Choosing ODM manufacturing is the fastest way to get a product to market. The ODM has proven production capabilities from packaging to branding, plus they already spent the time to research and develop working versions of the finished product.

Cons of using an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM):

  • Less flexible: Buyers cannot earn any intellectual property rights or ownership that belongs to the ODM suppliers or third parties. This means they are fairly restricted in adjusting technical specifications to far from the original product design.
  • Similar USPs: Since ODM suppliers have intellectual property ownership, they can sell to other companies without the permission of their clients. This often leads to a marketplace consisting of like-for-like products that are only differentiated by the branding.
  • Losing a supplier means losing the product: Again, not having that IP means you seed control to your ODM manufacturer. If you happen to lose your contract, it may be difficult to find a replacement supply chain with similar products.

Top tip: Try to negotiate terms that protect your supply chain

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 didn&#;t copy the ODM products from another company.

The bottom line: OEM versus ODM

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. 

Following these easy steps to pick the right ODM and OEM supplier

 Following these easy steps to pick the right ODM and OEM supplier // Photo on Creative Design Manufacturing

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.

Step 1: Be specific about what you need.

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.

Step 2: Do your homework

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

Step 3: Obtain a sample for verification.

Before you make your final decision, you&#;ll 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, it&#;s reasonable to expect an audit of some kind from the buyer.

If they&#;re unwilling to send you samples or allow an inspection, they&#;re not going to be a good partner, and you should replace them right away.

Step 5: Set out terms for a successful partnership

When you have the sample that you require and have gone through the testing process, now it&#;s time to submit your request and begin the full production process.

You must create a purchase order form (PO). If you don&#;t, 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.

Step 4: Take note of your manufacturer&#;s communication and problem-solving abilities

The knowledge of our sales consultants and engineers are just an away.

After discussing with the supplier, you will have a better idea of their production ability and authenticity. Remember to pay attention to:

  • Their communication ability to maintain the partnership.
  • Their capability to respond to any unexpected setbacks or changes in design requirements
  • Their commitment to maintaining product quality with established quality control measures

Of course, it&#;s 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.

FAQs: OEM vs ODM

A CDM quality control expert checking an order

Which is the smarter choice between OEM and ODM?

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.

Is ODM the same as private labeling?

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 item&#;s 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 can&#;t 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.

  • White label: White labeling starts with a generic product, which is then sold to multiple wholesalers and retailers. In a nutshell, such companies all buy the same product with a blank label and differentiate their brand by other means.
  • Private label: The word &#;private&#; explains a lot. Yes, it is similar to white labeled products, except private labeling companies offer exclusive production. A private label product is, therefore, more unique and you would likely go for the OEM model for this end goal.

Creative Design Manufacturing &#; Who are we?

Planters make our office feel alive

Creative Design Manufacturing (commonly known as CDM) is a dependable manufacturing powerhouse specialized in hand-made fiberglass planters that supply some of the world&#;s 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!

OEM vs. ODM: Which is Right for Your Business? - Katana MRP

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. It&#;s 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:

  • OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer
  • ODM means Original Design Manufacturer

But what endless manufacturing possibilities lie behind those words?

The difference between OEM and ODM

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 doesn&#;t 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.

Examples of ODM

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 Qualcomm&#;s.

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.

OEM vs. ODM vs. CM

Aside from OEM and ODM, there&#;s 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.

What are OEM and ODM services?

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.

OEM services

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:

  • Production of products according to the specifications provided by the brand company
  • Manufacturing and assembly of products
  • Quality control and testing of products
  • Packaging and labeling of products
  • Shipping and logistics services
  • After-sales support and customer service

ODM services

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:

  • Design and development of products
  • Prototyping and testing of products
  • Customization of products based on client specifications

Which is right for my manufacturing business?

Choosing the perfect manufacturing model for your company is challenging and shouldn&#;t be taken lightly. You know your business and its specific needs and processes, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. One isn&#;t 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.

Design expertise

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.

Cost considerations

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.

Brand identity

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 manufacturer&#;s brand and focus on delivering quality products at a lower cost.

Industry and market requirements

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.

How can Katana help manage your manufacturing?

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.

Inventory management

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.

Outsourced Purchase Orders (OPO)

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 don&#;t have the capacity to produce goods in-house or need to access specialized equipment or skills. We&#;ve even put together a video series explaining OPOs and how they work in Katana.

Production planning and scheduling

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.

Bill of materials management

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.

Live data and insights

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.

Integration with other software

With Katana&#;s 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.

Maximize your business potential with Katana

Book a demo to get all your questions answered regarding Katana&#;s features, integrations, pricing, and more.

Get a demo

And there you have it.

Now that you know the difference between OEMs and ODMs, it&#;s 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 don&#;t blame us if they start asking you to design and manufacture their products.

Laura is a copywriter who loves to find the fun and beauty in every topic she writes about.

Are you interested in learning more about 5kw inverter solar? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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