Verify capacity, don't assume it
Ask for the specific machines or lines that would run your part, their current utilization and what else competes for them. A supplier with the right equipment but no free hours is not available capacity.
Tooling ownership and location
State in writing who owns and pays for tooling, where it lives, who maintains it and what happens on termination. This single clause decides how easily you can move work later.
- Ownership and payment terms
- Maintenance and refurbishment responsibility
- Expected tool life in shots or cycles
- Right of removal on exit
Quality planning before the first shipment
Agree the sampling plan, process controls, first-article requirements and change-notification rules before launch. Retrofitting a quality plan onto a running program is expensive.
What to look for in a supplier
- Demonstrable free capacity on the right equipment
- Documented process control, not just inspection
- Financial and supply-chain stability
- Willingness to commit to a change-notification process
Certifications buyers often need
- ISO 9001 as a baseline
- IATF 16949 for automotive programs
- AS9100 for aerospace programs
- ISO 13485 for medical devices
Questions to ask prospective manufacturers
- Which machines would run this, and what is their current utilization?
- Who owns the tooling and what is its expected life?
- What is your process for notifying me of a material or process change?
- What is your contingency if the primary line goes down?
Frequently asked questions
- Should I dual-source at volume?
- For critical parts, a qualified second source reduces risk but adds qualification cost and can split volume discounts. Decide based on how damaging an interruption would be.
- How far ahead should I commit?
- Long enough for the supplier to plan capacity and materials, short enough that you are not locked to a forecast you don't believe. Scheduled releases against a blanket order are a common compromise.