I have an idea for a toy. How does one go about finding a toy manufacturer in China for example that can built it? Do they typically have in house resources to help with design and material selection?
Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
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Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#2I am not sure if http://alibaba.com can help.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#3I am not sure if http://alibaba.com can help.
great link thanks
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#4The guys behind MouseDriver (http://www.amazon.com/MouseDriver-Chronicles-John-Lusk/dp/07...) did this.
I don't remember the details (and unfortunately I freecycled the book so I can't look it up now) but you might want to read that for yourself.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#5I am not sure if http://alibaba.com can help.
Be careful when dealing with vendors through the site. Beyond having to deal with Engrish, given turnaround times are often inaccurate.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#6A friend of mine had a company that outsourced production of T-shirts to China. The problems he faced was not so much finding suppliers but dealing with the cultural differences of how to do business.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#7You're probably going to want a design firm, rather than a manufacturing firm, to get you to the point where you have a physical prototype, CAD files of manufacturable parts, and choices of materials and processes. Then they can guide you to a contract manufacturer.
Some resources:
Design firms that work on toys:
http://www.dexigner.com/directory/cat/Toy_Design/Companies.h...
MIT product design course:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Sloan-School-of-Management/15-783J...
Berkeley's course covering rapid prototyping and manufacturing, including lecture videos:
http://bmi.berkeley.edu/Me221/me221_resources.htm http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details.php?seriesid=1906...
The Berkeley videos totally opened my eyes - I was a computer science guy with no clue about making physical products.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#8A friend of mine had a company that outsourced production of T-shirts to China. The problems he faced was not so much finding suppliers but dealing with the cultural differences of how to do business.
Can you be more specific on the "cultural differences of how to do business." Do you just mean language?
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#9You're probably going to want a design firm, rather than a manufacturing firm, to get you to the point where you have a physical prototype, CAD files of manufacturable parts, and choices of materials and processes. Then they can guide you to a contract manufacturer. Some resources: Design firms that work on toys: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/cat/Toy_Design/Companies.h... MIT product design course: http://ocw.mit…
I'm a lone entrepreneur with an idea, don't think I can afford professional design firm. I will check out the MIT and Berkeley courses though.
Re: Ask YC: How do you find manufacturers to outsource to?
#10Hi Noel, there are many companies who work as intermediates between you and chinese manufacturers. These companies are based in china, but run by foreigners. They find the company, produce the product, arrange the shipping. So it's basically the same deal you would get, but perhaps 5% more expensive. For that, you avoid the cross cultural difference, you have reputable sources etc.
I can introduce you to a company I know personally based in Shanghai. They'll source any product you want. Send me a message if you're interested, I don't want to be seen as a shill.