The new product launch process for importers who are manufacturing products in China or Asia is the process of coming up with your product idea, and taking it through to mass production and eventual importing and sales.
Breaking down the new product launch process
It is a complex process that can be broken down into the following stages:
Phase 1 – Partner Selection
Phase 2 – Non-Recurring Engineering & Sampling
Phase 3 – Pre Production
Phase 4 – Production
Phase 5 – Continuous Improvement
You can learn more about these stages in this blog post.
Phase 1 – Partner Selection
Creating a shortlist of potential suppliers and doing due diligence on them to assure that they can produce your goods at the correct quality, cost, and deliver on time. A factory audit is also essential here on the supplier you finally decide upon.
Phase 2 – Non-Recurring Engineering & Sampling
These tasks put you in a position to produce goods with your supplier. Tooling is commissioned, and prototypes and samples are created. Your manufacturing contract with the supplier will also be finalized and then a deposit paid. The goal is to be ‘production-ready.’
Phase 3 – Pre Production
In this phase, you will go through your manufacturing agreement with the supplier and cover all the critical elements and deliverables and set expectations for production. Your initial order will be placed, and pilot run/s need to happen before mass production.
Phase 4 – Production
Now you will mass produce your products, assure their quality, and prepare them to be shipped. Product inspections should occur at this point, and if all is well, the balance can be paid when goods are shipped.
Phase 5 – Continuous Improvement
Let’s assume that you have good results and want to continue working with your supplier, you’ll work with them to devise KPIs that govern production, processes, and procedures with the aim of improving quality, performance, lead times, and more. A supplier improvement audit will assist with this.
How is Sofeast’s new product launch process structured?
The diagram below demonstrates how we usually structure our clients’ new product launch projects, and the different stages are named differently.
At Sofeast we also provide an accelerator program. Rather than a final stage, it is extra planning & expediting throughout the project, and for extra safety (e.g. backups in order to afford a few setbacks). It often makes sense for hardware startups to pay extra and be on the market a few weeks earlier!
Launching new products – expert commentary video
Sofeast CEO Renaud Anjoran and senior engineer Paul Adams talk you through new product launches in this video:
P.S.
Stuck with launching your new product?
Take a quick look at our product engineering solutions and get help from our experienced design and production engineers to get your product to market quickly!
