Why “Custom Costs More” Is a Myth in Manufacturing

There is a persistent myth in the manufacturing industry that custom work only comes at premium prices, and that spreading out manufacturing duties among low-cost vendors is always the most cost-effective way to get the job done.

In reality, custom manufacturing and engineering processes can actually save companies money while delivering higher-quality output. No matter how complex the job is, custom manufacturing helps remove risk, ensure organization, and make the design and production processes more efficient.

Custom Manufacturing Streamlines Logistics to Avoid Delays
Time is money. The more production is delayed, the more it costs, and the less efficient the project is. When companies opt for component-by-component manufacturing using disparate suppliers instead of a turn-key solution, there is much more that can go wrong in the production schedule.
 
Communication and shipping logistics are a constant source of stress and risk because each provider is a crucial part of the supply chain. One hiccup anywhere along the line, and the whole project will be set back. These dependencies create the risk of cascading delays caused by missed deliveries or variations from the original specifications.
 
Turn-key custom manufacturing streamlines the supply chain and mitigates delays to help control production costs. Adapting to unexpected changes or challenges to keep a project on schedule is significantly easier when everything is made under the same roof.

​Quality and Complexity Directly Affect Manufacturing Costs
Saving money on individual components by focusing solely on low prices often ends up being more expensive in total, due to redundancy and potential product design or engineering errors in the supply chain.
 
Discrepancies don’t just slow down production—they lead to low-quality output. Quality issues create substantial costs for manufacturers: delays and rework are just the tip of the iceberg compared to warranties, recalls, and lawsuits. Working with many suppliers increases a company’s exposure to these risks
 
Custom manufacturing supports cost-effectiveness of any project by delivering high-quality products and superior customer service. For example, the supplier will be equipped to provide replacements and spare parts at the proper specifications.
 
Custom manufacturers can be more agile and responsive in all parts of the design and manufacturing processes. As the requirements evolve over the course of a production run, an experienced custom provider can confidently adjust to changes. Every step is performed in the same facility, by consistently trained engineers who understand the holistic goal of the job.
 
At Custom Manufacturing and Engineering, we work hard to disprove the “custom costs more” myth by designing and manufacturing cost-effective, high-quality products. We love to design and build—contact us to learn more.

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