Why Working Prototypes Fail in Production, Part 1: What Changes Before Mass Production [Podcast]

A working prototype can give a product team a lot of confidence. The device functions. The team signs it off. The design looks ready. Everyone starts thinking about tooling, production schedules, and launch dates. But then production starts, and unexpected … Continue reading →

In episode 327 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud revisit a topic that still catches many product developers and importers by surprise: What are non-recurring engineering costs, and why do they matter so much before production starts? NRE costs … Continue reading →

In episode 236 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Paul Adams from Agilian to discuss a problem that catches out many companies developing new hardware products: Why do some projects stall before they even really start? The product … Continue reading →

In episode 325 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud break down a powerful idea from Tony Fadell: “Builders build, ship, then solve what breaks.” They explore what really happens after a product hits the market, and why chasing perfection … Continue reading →

We’re rewinding one of our most popular episodes ever; breaking down the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and why it’s the difference between a smooth product launch…and a costly failure. If you’ve ever: Rushed into tooling too early Hit quality … Continue reading →

By the time some manufacturers realize the full cost picture of their new product, fixing it is expensive, and sometimes too late. In episode 323, we break down how product costing really works. You’ll see the key cost drivers, where … Continue reading →

Many teams start thinking about product compliance too late. They design the product, source the components, start production, and only then ask, “Will this pass CE or FCC?” At that point, you’re not checking compliance. You’re gambling with it. If … Continue reading →

A common question in product development is: “How can we reduce the cost of this product?” The problem is, it’s often asked too late. By the time a product is fully designed, most of its cost is already locked in. … Continue reading →

You’ve designed your product. You’ve built prototypes. Now you just need your first production batch. Not 50,000 units. Maybe 500. Maybe 2,000. And suddenly: Suppliers stop replying Quotes don’t come back MOQs jump higher than expected It feels like you’ve … Continue reading →

When a prototype works well, it can be tempting to move quickly toward mass production. The product works. The concept is validated. Customers are waiting. So the team decides to save time by ordering components early and preparing for production. … Continue reading →