IDENTIFYING LOW-VOLUME PARTNERS In spite of the emergence of low-volume manufacturing as a viable means to meet supply chain demands , there remains some reluctance within UK manufacturing to truly embrace it .
When batch size is below a certain threshold , there can be a tendency amongst subcontractors to shy away from those projects .
Often , it is simply a case of how a facility is set up , and for many subcontractors there remains sufficient appetite for traditional , large-scale production runs to ensure they can continue to operate us usual . However , growing consumer demand for customisation and bespoke products means that there is scope within the market to deliver low-volume manufacturing solutions .
Based in in Shenzhen and Dongguan , China , but with a footprint in both the UK and the US , HLH Prototypes is operating within this growing niche . Built on a foundation of open communication and speed , it has seen the low-volume manufacturing side of its business explode in popularity .
FINAL THOUGHTS The inexorable rise of bespoke product offerings represents both a challenge and an opportunity to UK manufacturers . While it places strain on an already stretched supply chain , it also allows businesses to be reactive to their customer ’ s needs and differentiate themselves from their competitors .
Partners that can help to deliver lowvolume manufacturing solutions , such as HLH Prototypes , will play an increasingly important role in determining how successful businesses are in meeting these varied demands .
For more information , please visit www . hlhprototypes . com or email james @ hlhprototypes . com
Issue 50 PECM 35