OEM – Advantages of working with a Chinese manufacturer

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) manufacture sophisticated and highly precise products. Specifically, these products are beneficial to industries that utilize heavy vehicles, commercial objects, and similar equipment. The benefits of contracting with an OEM firm are that these industries are able to maximize the productivity of their machines and reduce their total costs of owning products.

The benefits of working with an OEM in China are numerous. Because OEM is relatively specific to several industries, people lack clarity about its purpose and role. Throughout this article, we will explore what an OEM is and how working with an OEM in China can be beneficial to a client.

What is an OEM?

Over the last few decades, the meaning of OEM has evolved. Originally, the term Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) referred to a manufacturer of a main product. Before being sold to the end user, this product will be purchased by another company and be branded as their own. Today, this definition has expanded to describe companies that buy products from other firms, rebrand them and resell them.

OEMs are commonly found in two industries. The two industries are the automotive and computer industries. Sometimes, an OEM is a client of a retail organization that sells products directly to its customers. For example, a Hyundai vehicle might not have all the parts made by Hyundai themselves. It is possible that some of its parts are manufactured by an OEM.

In this system, the value-added reseller (VAR) is the seller of the finished product. The firm adds value to the original item by introducing new features and services. Indeed, the value-added reseller works closely with the OEM to customize products according to the requirements provided by the value-added reseller.

Initially, an OEM worked on business-to-business sales. Products would be publicized by the VARs for sale to the general public. A manufacturer of aftermarket products develops products that are interchangeable with those developed by a manufacturer of original equipment. Although aftermarket products are generally more affordable than OEM products, they are often not original and do not perform as well.

Benefits of working with an OEM in China

As mentioned earlier, working with an OEM has several advantages. Most popular brands use manufacturing companies in China to manufacture their products. Besides offering lower costs, these products also ensure a high level of quality.

Currently, factories in China manufacture private label products that are used by companies all over the world. According to a study conducted in 2002, China employed over 80 million people in the manufacturing sector. By 2009, this statistic had grown to over 100 million, which contrasts with the employment numbers in other countries in the same field. This section explores some of the advantages of working with a Chinese OEM.

Warranty

The primary advantage of working with an OEM is that some manufacturers will provide a warranty for a specific period of time. If you receive a faulty product or discover it has other technical issues, you should contact the manufacturer and request a replacement or alternative solution.

Quick response

By utilizing the services of an OEM, you will be assured of receiving prompt responses to your inquiries. As a result, less time is required for identifying products and producing them. In most cases, manufacturers have access to original drawings for a particular product, which reduces the time required to research and develop a design plan. As a result, your products will be delivered more quickly.

Lower manufacturing costs

Manufacturing domestically versus having your product manufactured in China has a significant impact on costs as well. Depending on where you are located, domestic manufacturers usually charge higher prices and have a high turnover rate. Any small or mid-sized business may benefit from the availability of more affordable products from China.

The cost of manufacturing products domestically is influenced by a number of factors. Among these costs are training costs, equipment costs, and costs associated with the possibility of manufacturing complications. When you work with an OEM in China, there are chances to reduce operational failures in domestic manufacturing. There is a high level of production efficiency and defects do not always lead to production complications. This also ensures the smooth functioning of your business and reduced expenses.

Service support

Original Equipment Manufacturers provide a variety of support services. If you contact OEM support engineers in China for assistance, you can be assured that they will provide you with access to their engineering team that will design your products. When you speak with engineers and technical support staff, you will be able to access different types of knowledge that will assist you in making the most informed decisions about your parts.

Long lifespan

If you opt to have your parts repaired by a technician, you may or may not be able to access the previous level of performance. When working with a Chinese OEM manufacturer, this hassle can be avoided by ensuring that the performance of the product is not compromised. In case of an issue, the manufacturer will provide a similar replacement product. Because they are unlike aftermarket products, OEM products are designed to last longer due to their high quality materials and rigorous testing protocols.

High quality

According to research, OEM products are of high quality and are well constructed. Whenever you replace a part within a product, you should ensure that the replacement is of consistently high quality. This will enable the product to function properly. OEM parts provide this assurance since they are developed and tested in accordance with the original design specifications. In this way, they are provided with an additional level of protection and are more likely to be compatible with the requirements of your industry.

Return on investment

China-made OEM products provide you with the return on investment you would normally expect from a supplier. Parts are designed to match and perform in accordance with the specifications assigned to them. As a result, your equipment will last longer. By continuously monitoring the product’s performance, future expenses can also be avoided.

Improved production capabilities

China’s factories manufacture products for businesses all over the world. As a result of their expanded product range, Chinese factories are capable of producing bulk quantities of goods on a consistent basis. Whenever you outsource to China, you work with people who have experience producing quality products in large quantities.

Preventing scams

Whenever you work with an overseas manufacturer based in China, you are at risk of being scammed. This is especially true if you have not met the manufacturer before and are relying on telephone calls or messages to communicate. Further, language barriers may also lead to miscommunication regarding the product requirements.

An ideal way to avoid these issues is to work with a reputable China sourcing agent or Chinese manufacturer. In order to prevent scams from occurring in your community, you can contact a registered organization that works with local businesses and verified manufacturers. The purpose of this system is to ensure that you are not exploited and that only genuine manufacturers are available to you.

Lower costs of labor

A manufacturing company in China will provide you with access to its labor when you decide to contract with them. Therefore, you do not have to recruit and train employees within your firm who are capable of manufacturing the product you desire. The process also saves you the expense of hiring local workers. China’s labor costs are lower than those in other countries, allowing you to take advantage of this cost savings opportunity.

Opportunities for diversification

If you are interested in expanding your existing product line and providing new services to your consumers, outsourcing may be an option for you. By lowering product prices and improving production capabilities, you may be able to include a greater variety of products in your current product offering. In addition, you may be able to find ways to sell this line on an international level. As a result of outsourcing, you will be able to expand your business in ways that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods.

Reduction in lead times

There are a number of methods available for reducing the time that it takes to deliver your products. You may order them frequently and on a consistent basis. If you increase the frequency with which you receive products, you will not be affected by low inventory levels and will be able to reduce delivery costs.

It is also possible to use a software program to automate the exchange of information regarding your orders so that it reaches your manufacturer on time. Keeping your manufacturer informed of how much supply you typically require will allow you to stay ahead of the delivery process.

Conclusion

OEM products are different from ODM or aftermarket products. Users tend to benefit from them in a number of ways. Comparatively to aftermarket products, OEM products are often of higher quality, more affordable, and have a longer lifespan. Working with an OEM in China has many advantages. These include warranty periods, high quality and performance, a return on investment, improved production capabilities, lower labor costs, opportunities for expansion, and more. Consider talking to an Original Equipment Manufacturer if you are considering manufacturing a product.

AROOM GLOBAL is an expert China sourcing agency that has helped customers manufacture and source products from the world’s factory. Contact us at info@aroomglobal.com or visit our website to learn more about China sourcing and manufacturing services.

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