Product customization has become a major marketing tool across all industries. The demand for customized products by customers has risen tremendously. Therefore, manufacturers must overcome this challenge.
Regardless of how complex or simple a product is, mass customization used in mass production can be challenging.
Mass customization of products is complex. The following are some of the ways you can apply to achieve precision and quality customization in your business.
1. Strategize your Production Process
In a manufacturing environment, sustaining high quality can be challenging. However, according to supply chain management professionals, high quality is necessary for mass customization of products.
Manufacturing companies can achieve quality by focusing, employing new technologies, and investing highly in their production processes.
The fit and finish on production mechanisms must be accurate to make sure the end product looks fine.
The modules, components, and sub-assemblies used must be tested in several combinations. Therefore, the production process should strictly focus on quality and accuracy.
All employees should align their focus in achieving quality. They must be empowered to do everything possible to ensure end products are of high quality.
2. Overcome Price and Lead Time Pressure
Although customers are oriented on customized products, they may not be willing to pay extra or to wait longer for the product. Consequently, this puts pressure on manufacturers to reduce their prices and squeeze every wastage time out of their processes.
You should avoid any step which increases the lead time if no additional value is achieved. Additionally, your prices should be based on the value of your product and the market dynamics.
3. Establish Adaptable Supply Networks
Speed and quality are critically based on the persuasiveness of the customization. However, this adds additional pressure on the supply chain. Your suppliers must be adaptable and lean, provide variations on products, and quickly respond to the required changes.
Supply networks should also focus on quality and precision. Although agility and quality are crucial to providing customized products at a fair cost, there is no time or budget to devote to extensive inspection procedures.
Suppliers must exhibit reliability and assure that their supplies will be delivered timely and at a consistent quality.
Supplier reliability enables the manufacturer to eliminate traditional inspection processes without the risk of repeating the production process.
Reliability also prevents future product returns. For instance, your product logos from suppliers such as https://www.rapidpsi.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing must be provided on time.
Constant communication is necessary for an adaptable supply network. This ensures every player in the network is aware of any significant changes in demand or any other event that can alter the lead time. It requires a level of openness and trust, which is not common with many supply chains. Mass customization without an effective supply network structure can be hard to sustain.
Conclusion
Although these are not the only ways of achieving quality and precision in product customization for your business, they can help you achieve your desired customization goals.
Without employing strategic processes, product customization can be unsustainable and unprofitable. However, applying an appropriate infrastructure, product customization can be an effective marketing tool.
What are you doing to ensure precision and quality customization in your business?
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