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Desperately Need Mfr., Where To Start On AliBaba?

by kennypowers
7 replies
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Hey guys....

First time posting on this forum but I need some help and have no idea where to start. I have a product I need manufactured and that is a polyester back support brace.

Anyone have prior experience or advice on where to start? I need the product manufactured and everyone keeps suggesting Alibaba but I have no idea how the process works:confused:
#alibaba #desperately #mfr #start
  • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
    It's really not too hard. If you have a prototype, create a listing that you are looking for a company to manufacturer your support brace, list dimensions, materials needed, and any other information you might have, and charge each company a minimal fee to review your prototype. 99% of the people that will contact you are going to be middlemen and they will refuse to pay to review your prototype and give an estimate, you just want to weed these people out because they won't be able to help you in the long run. A legitimate manufacturer wants your business and will either work with you or will actually pay for your contract.

    As a bit of advice, be very stand-off'ish and never commit to anything right away even if you are very desperate to get the ball rolling. It could take 1-2 years before a shipment is created. Tell them that testing will be done on the items before full production and that there may be several changes. A legitimate manufacturer accepts this and will work with your on your changes, even if they aren't needed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      That's good advice Silas, but I would add a couple of important points.

      The OP's intellectual property is at risk the moment he presents the information to prospective manufacturers. I have known cases where a new product is being marketed by competitors before the originator of the design, or the new product idea even gets their prototype.

      I promote importing as good way to make high profits, but for something such as this product I would look at getting local manufacturers to quote.

      For the benefit of the OP I would also say that finding a real manufacturer on Alibaba (or other popular sourcing sites) is like finding a needle in a haystack.

      If determined to have the product made in China it is important to learn a little about how business works there first.
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      • Profile picture of the author countrygal
        I agree with importexport on this- a local manufacturer is your best choice for a new product.
        Here is what I suggest..
        1. Have a lawyer draw up an NDA, if funds are tight use a service like rocketlawyer. From here on, have anyone you deal with sign the NDA.
        2. Get a prototype (if you haven't already) made by using a CAD drawing of your brace and then finding a rapid prototyper, also known as 3D printing.
        3. Test your prototype...9 times out of 10 you will see modifications you want to make, so now is the time before you get to the production stage. Repeat this process until satisfied.
        4. Do market research, using your prototype. Go or no go.
        5. Your market research will assist in determining whether or not you should consider filing for some patent protection. Consult with a patent agent or attorney (list of registered people available on the USPTO website).
        3. The prototyper might know of a local manufacturer or be able to help finding one. By local, I would consider anyone within a reasonable driving distance. If not, use the Thomas registry, the bible for manufacturers.
        4. Meet with potential manufacturers in person if possible- they will give you better service and suggestions. Ask for quotes for various volumes, after finding out what their minimum order quantities are, say 500 pieces, 1000, 5000 etc. Usually in manufacturing the higher the volume the lower the price, but you still have to sell them. Not much use to order 50,000 pieces to save a few thousand, only to run out of funds and have them sit in your garage.
        5. Sell, sell, sell!
        Good luck.
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        • Profile picture of the author kennypowers
          Thanks so much, great advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel J
    I agree with what others have stated. I personally find Alibaba to be a great source for private labeling (taking an existing generic product and having the supplier put a custom logo on it and put it in custom packaging etc) but for a new product or idea, you've gotten some solid advice from others about approaching local manufacturers. Good luck with your idea!
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Daniel J View Post

      I agree with what others have stated. I personally find Alibaba to be a great source for private labeling (taking an existing generic product and having the supplier put a custom logo on it and put it in custom packaging etc) but for a new product or idea, you've gotten some solid advice from others about approaching local manufacturers. Good luck with your idea!
      DanielJ's idea of private labeling may be worth pursuing unless the OP's design is revolutionary.

      My importing business involved a substantial amount of private labeling and custom packaging, but I would never use Alibaba to locate suppliers. The reason is that I only ever dealt with manufacturers, and finding real ones on Alibaba is like finding a needle in a haystack.

      Manufacturers are not only more flexible than traders and wholesalers, but they often have in-house facilities for private labeling, or at least they have regular suppliers for such things. Also, they are more willing to supply smaller orders than wholesalers, who are more rigid in relation to their MOQs for reasons I have explained elsewhere on WF.
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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      • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
        Just to add to what others have said:

        Check thomasnet for manufacturers in your field. Also consider whether it makes sense to manufacturer it, or to license the design for a royalty. Royalty might be the better route since getting single products into sales channels can be difficult. Just read up on licensing first.

        Head to the library and go to the resource section. Many times they will have resource books like, "Big Book of Plastic Manufacturers" and you can pull names from there.

        Don't be surprised that even if it is a local or US company it doesn't get manufactured in China. Many local companies will rent or own plants for production so you get the benefits of a local company with low cost overseas manufacturers. Benefits include:
        • Shipping and logistics - let them add it in with their other shipments
        • Prototyping department - Let them make the prototypes and then you can make changes
        • Warehousing and fulfillment in the states

        Besides drawings, you can literally in some cases make your prototype out of cardboard for demonstration purposes. Don't underestimate how much it helps the contract manufacturer understand what you are trying to do.

        You get can stock Mutual NDA's off the net, no need to have a lawyer draft it up.
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