1. Focus on Local Capacity
The allure of outsourcing production to low-wage countries can be tempting, but overlooking the local manufacturing industry is a missed opportunity. The Netherlands boasts an efficient, high-quality manufacturing sector with numerous opportunities for businesses. Finding local suppliers can often be surprisingly easy, sometimes even within your own region. This approach not only strengthens the local economy but also offers benefits such as faster delivery times, easier communication, and reduced transportation costs.
2. Utilize Relevant Data
Access to up-to-date and detailed supplier data is crucial for making informed outsourcing decisions. Transforming this data into actionable insights enables companies to select suppliers that meet both technical requirements and business needs. Using tools that provide a current overview of potential partners—sorted by expertise, knowledge, and production capacity—is essential for success.
3. Submit Requests to the Right Parties
Once potential suppliers have been carefully selected, it’s important to place requests effectively. This requires a strategic approach that includes regular benchmarking, not just to ensure competitive pricing but also to spread production risks. Filtering by criteria such as relationship, specialization, distance, certifications, and sectors can reduce the number of required quotes and lead to better-matched proposals.
4. Leverage Digitalization
Advances in digitalization open up new opportunities for outsourcing production. Trends like the platform economy, Big Data, and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly relevant in B2B environments. It’s wise to look beyond general search engines and invest in specialized platforms that assist in selecting suitable partners. These tools simplify the process of finding suppliers that closely align with the specific needs of a project.
Conclusion
Effectively outsourcing production requires a strategic approach, especially in an era where unforeseen challenges such as pandemics and raw material shortages force companies to be flexible and adaptive. By focusing on local capacity, leveraging relevant datasets, strategically submitting requests, and taking full advantage of digitalization, companies can overcome these challenges and reap the benefits of outsourcing.
Two Powerful Ways to Find Companies and Experts in the Manufacturing Industry
Explore Through the Company Page
Tech2B’s company page is an excellent starting point for finding suppliers. Here, you can view detailed profiles of potential partners, contact them directly via chat, or visit their websites for more information.
Esourcing for Custom Quotes
Do you have a specific request for a quote or want to benchmark suppliers? With Tech2B’s Esourcing feature, you can easily specify your request and receive tailored quotes in no time that meet your requirements.
Curious About Tech2B’s Capabilities?
Schedule a meeting with CEO Sjors Hooijen to learn more!