Why You Should Reshore Your Injection Molding?

The trend in the injection molding industry in the past few years has seen this manufacturing process be restored to its original position.

One of the main drivers behind this is the undeniable cost savings that companies can benefit from.

Although outsourcing is a reliable arrangement, many of the same companies have begun to find reasons to redeploy their plastic injection molding business.

This decision is the result of many factors, such as economic conditions, price increases, maintaining design consistency, and meeting project standards. So What caused your plastic injection molding to return to shore?

  • Improve supply chain flexibility
  • Extensive design assistance
  • Obtain a skilled workforce
  • Better return on investment

1. What is Injection Molding Reshoring?

If your company is located in China, then the ideal situation is that you choose a Chinese mold company because of its convenience. However, this rarely happens. Normally, you will want to offshore your injection molding service to an external company to provide a cheaper price.

Despite this cost advantage, companies have begun to consider not only plastic molding, but also the return of manufacturing. Reshoring refers to the practice of restoring these processes and services to domestic levels.

In the above cases, Reshoring involves your decision to transfer any outsourced injection molding business locally as a way to reduce the total cost of the product, limit the total cost of ownership, etc.

Although this move may have some impact on the company, the idea is to reduce molding costs while still maintaining high-quality standards of quality and consistency.

2. To Improve supply chain flexibility

When it comes to an effective supply chain model, the rule of thumb is to follow the “less is more” principle.

Generally speaking, offshore molding production capacity can greatly increase the steps of the supply chain process, thereby reducing the efficiency level, adding more communication channels, and limiting versatility.

For companies that have previously outsourced, they may already be aware of such challenges. Lack of clear communication can lead to errors in product design, completion, and even production levels-whether in small or large batches.

This will not only greatly affect the relationship between the two companies, but also affect the manufacturer’s ability to meet the company’s needs. This is where backflow may bridge the gap between adequate supply chain processes and reasonably priced services.

Reshoring makes it easier for companies to cooperate with injection molding partners and promotes close communication in every step of production.

3. Extensive Design Assistance

Most injection molding processes start with a concept or prototype developed by a professional customer.

Then, they source the design and construction of this idea from a competent plastic molder, who, after all the pre-injection molding steps have been carried out, will start to create a mold to build and assemble the parts.

The above situation, no matter how simple it sounds, does not always happen seamlessly.

In some cases, manufacturing may go in the wrong direction, resulting in products with low tolerances that require post-processing.

This will lead to repeated discussions between customers and manufacturers on issues such as design revisions and process adjustments.

But thanks to extensive assistance in Reshoring, all interested parties can focus on design for manufacturability (DFM). This means that design input may come from different stages of the project, from stakeholders, engineers, process managers, material suppliers, manufacturers, etc.

Reshoring makes it easier for companies to achieve this early in the process, constantly reviewing molds, molds, resins, and other elements of the molding process for better results.

4. Obtain a Skilled Workforce

Another advantage that companies can gain from returning is that it allows them to acquire skilled labour to oversee their projects.

Especially when working with domestic injection molding companies, these companies will be able to work with people they trust, effectively reducing supervision and micro-management.

In addition, domestic injection molding companies may be more familiar with the nuances of reproducing products for them.

When exporting to the international market, it is much easier to meet local quality standards that still meet internationally recognized standards.

The mold company receives training and only employs skilled engineers, project managers, machine operators, technicians, production supervisors, etc. This ensures consistency of design and minimal errors.

5. Better return on investment

Finally, Reshoring injection molding brings a better return on investment.

When considering all the above factors, Reshoring can greatly speed up delivery time, reduce product defects, and speed up assembly and development.

Companies can not only focus on quality, but can also turn their attention to quantity-while predicting the possible costs of design, prototyping, engineering, marketing, and sales, mass production is now possible.

6. Conclusion

If you are a business involved in local trade, then you may want to consider many reasons to restore your plastic injection molding.

Reshoring brings value to your production and assembly process because it increases flexibility, improves return on investment, allows for the acquisition of skilled personnel, and promotes cooperation.