Supply Chain Considerations for Startup Founders Developing Physical Products
Startup founders who are developing physical products might not realize they have to source each individual component of their full product. This is why understanding what’s involved in building your supply chain is so essential. In this article, mHUB will address some key supply chain considerations and what hardware entrepreneurs should know about sourcing parts and finding contract manufacturing partners.
Build versus Buy
In the context of developing physical products, the "build versus buy" decision involves determining whether to create the product components or features in-house (build) or to purchase them from external suppliers (buy). This decision is crucial and depends on various factors. Here's a breakdown:
Costs: Evaluate the costs associated with building components internally versus buying them. Consider manufacturing, labor, materials, and equipment costs for in-house production, and compare them with the costs of purchasing ready-made components.
Expertise and Resources: Assess your team's expertise and the resources available. Building in-house may require specialized skills, tools, and facilities. If your team lacks these resources, buying from external suppliers with the necessary expertise might be more efficient.
Time-to-Market: Consider the time it takes to develop components internally versus the time it takes to acquire them externally. If speed is crucial, purchasing pre-made components can expedite the product development process.
Quality Control: Evaluate your ability to maintain quality standards. Building in-house provides more control over the production process and quality assurance, but external suppliers may have established quality control measures.
Scalability: Consider the scalability of your product. If your product has the potential for significant growth, assess whether in-house production can scale efficiently or if buying components allows for easier scalability.
Intellectual Property: Evaluate whether certain components contribute to your product's uniqueness or intellectual property. If so, building in-house may provide better control and protection of your proprietary technology.
Market Dynamics: Analyze the market dynamics and availability of components. Some components may be readily available in the market, making buying a more viable option. In contrast, unique or highly specialized components may require in-house development.
Ultimately, the decision between building and buying in physical product development depends on a careful analysis of these factors as well as consideration of the specific requirements and goals of the project.
How Your Company’s Value Proposition Might Affect Your Supply Chain Decisions
A company's value proposition significantly influences its supply chain decisions in several ways:
Product Design and Features: The value proposition often dictates the design and features of a product. Supply chain decisions, such as sourcing materials and components, are influenced by the specific requirements outlined in the value proposition. For example, if the value proposition emphasizes high-quality materials, the supply chain must align with suppliers capable of delivering those materials.
Customer Expectations: A compelling value proposition sets customer expectations regarding product quality, delivery times, and overall customer experience. Supply chain decisions, including inventory management, distribution, and logistics, need to align with these expectations to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Cost Structure: The value proposition can impact the company's cost structure. For instance, if the value proposition focuses on providing premium quality, the supply chain decisions may prioritize higher-cost, superior materials or production processes. Conversely, a value proposition centered around cost-effectiveness may lead to supply chain decisions that prioritize efficiency and economies of scale.
Flexibility and Responsiveness: Some value propositions emphasize flexibility, customization, or rapid product development cycles. In such cases, supply chain decisions need to prioritize suppliers and processes that can adapt quickly to changes in demand, design, or other market dynamics.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: If the value proposition includes a commitment to sustainability or ethical business practices, supply chain decisions must align with these principles. This may involve selecting suppliers with environmentally friendly practices or ensuring fair labor conditions throughout the supply chain.
Collaboration with Suppliers: A strong value proposition often involves close collaboration with suppliers. Companies may work closely with suppliers to ensure alignment with quality standards, innovation goals, and cost-effectiveness. This collaboration can impact decisions related to supplier selection, relationships, and performance monitoring.
Technology Integration: If the value proposition incorporates advanced technology or innovation, supply chain decisions may involve integrating cutting-edge technologies into manufacturing, logistics, and inventory management processes. This ensures that the supply chain supports the company's commitment to technological excellence.
In summary, a company's value proposition serves as a guiding force for supply chain decisions. It influences choices related to product sourcing, cost considerations, customer expectations, sustainability, and collaboration with suppliers, ultimately shaping the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain in delivering the promised value to customers.
Diversify Vendors in Your Supply Chain
Diversifying supply chain vendors offers several benefits to a business, including:
Risk Mitigation: Relying on a single vendor increases the vulnerability to disruptions such as natural disasters, geopolitical events, or economic downturns. Diversifying vendors helps mitigate these risks by spreading the impact across multiple sources.
Supply Chain Resilience: Diversification enhances the resilience of the supply chain. If one vendor faces challenges or disruptions, others can potentially compensate, minimizing the impact on production and distribution.
Reduced Dependence: Depending on a single vendor can create a power imbalance, giving the supplier more negotiating leverage. Diversification reduces dependency, giving the business more flexibility in negotiations and terms.
Quality and Performance Optimization: Having multiple vendors allows for performance and quality comparisons. This competition can drive vendors to consistently deliver high-quality products and services, as they know they are not the exclusive option.
Geopolitical Considerations: Political, trade, or regulatory changes in one region can affect the supply chain. Diversifying vendors across different geographical locations helps navigate geopolitical uncertainties and regulatory changes.
Innovation and Flexibility: Different vendors may bring unique capabilities, technologies, or innovations to the table. Diversification encourages a culture of continuous improvement and flexibility, fostering innovation within the supply chain.
Cost Management: Multiple vendors provide opportunities for cost negotiation and optimization. Businesses can leverage competition among vendors to secure favorable pricing, terms, and conditions.
Scalability: Diversification supports scalability. As the business grows, having a variety of vendors allows for increased production capacity and the ability to adapt to changing market demands more easily.
ESG - Ethical and Social Responsibility: Diversifying vendors allows businesses to align with suppliers who share their ethical and social responsibility values. It provides the flexibility to choose vendors that adhere to sustainable practices and fair labor standards.
Market Dynamics: The market for certain materials or components may fluctuate. Diversifying vendors helps a business navigate changing market conditions and ensures a stable supply of critical inputs.
While diversifying supply chain vendors offers advantages, it's important to balance diversification with the complexity of managing multiple relationships. Careful supplier selection, ongoing monitoring, and effective communication are essential for successfully implementing a diversified supply chain strategy.
If you would like to speak with a supply chain specialist, consider reaching out to mHUB, the nation’s leading hardtech innovation and manufacturing center.
