Domestic/Foreign Manufacturing Advice Needed

1,281 Views | 7 Replies | Last: 9 mo ago by texican08
texican08
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9:12a, 3/5/25
AG
Howdy Ags,

I'm reaching out and hoping to connect with a fellow Ag (mentorship of sorts). I'm nearing the prototype phase of an outdoor light and am trying to verse myself around the manufacturing process. MOQ, quality control, realistic timelines, pros/cons of both domestic and international manufacturing. I have a background in business operations management, but very much learning as I go as an entrepreneur.

Would anyone with this experience be willing to connect with me?
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aTm 99
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2:51p, 3/5/25
AG
This is a good question and I'll give you the standard answer you would pay a consultant thousands of dollars for, it depends.

A more realistic answer is that it depends on so many factors, some of which are as follows:
  • Quantity of products you expect to produce
  • Foreign countries you are considering to use
  • Is it a "luxury" item or a "commodity" item (i.e. luxury items require much stronger quality standards)
  • Current tariff uncertainty
  • Level of complexity to manufacture or skill to produce the product
  • Shipping costs to/from outsourced location
  • Local expertise in the foreign location
  • What is your market? (Local, National, Global)
  • So MANY more variables as well.

Shawn '99
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texican08
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4:15p, 3/5/25
AG
Thanks Shawn,

MOQ is something I worry about. Would be looking at that first run of 100 to test the market, next order would be 1000.

From what I researched, US manufacturing would be almost out of the picture due to that, no?
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aTm 99
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11:25a, 3/6/25
AG
I'm thinking that quantities of less than 10,000 (depending on the product size, quality, complexity) would be more expensive to set up than the expected savings from low-cost country production and shipping.
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Camo
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9:30a, 3/7/25
I've worked in supply chain for over a decade, specializing in sourcing and outsourcing. I also helped a friend with overseas manufacturing for a golf product he invented.

To echo aTm99, it really depends on the category of your product + material composition + engineering.

If you are in the prototype phase, i would get those created domestically, perfect it, then transition to mass production. utilize 3d printing for a prototype


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Aggie1205
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9:36p, 3/7/25
AG
I don't know anything about lighting, but I know about both domestic and international manufacturing. Is this something you would be looking to sell to retail or direct to consumer? Who you use for a factory might vary based on this. The materials and complexity of the product also matter here. Tariffs are a real challenge right now in making these decisions as well.

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atx_aggie12
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4:54p, 3/10/25
AG
I own a business that we source our product from foreign countries.

Would be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Not sure how much of a help I would be, as I do not have experience with the specific product you are looking for info on. But would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
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texican08
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In reply to atx_aggie12 • 7:14p, 3/10/25
AG
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