New product manufacture advice

kevwoog · 15-01-2008, 10:03 PM

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of having designed a unique travel/suit case (it is not unique in its function, it just looks good) in which I plan to have made in china and import into the UK to sell and build my own range/brand. I have found a couple of manufactures who currently specialize in manufacturing cases similar to mine in large quantities. Because of the nature of the product, I have no patent or anything like that. All I have is my Copywrite over the designs. I also have a Non disclosure agreement relating to the project.

The companies are of medium size and appear to operate in a professional manor.

My question is to anybody having dealt with Chinese manufactures, what are the chances of them not manufacturing exclusively (even if they have signed a NDA, contract and me paid for tooling etc) to me and sending samples to existing customers etc?

Am I missing something or do I only rely on trust and gut feelings?

To get my quotes I will have prototype, Full material specifications, Bill of materials and 2D/3D CAD data. So to give this out for accurate quotation is worrying.

Any advice on this or anything relating to having your own product made in China is welcome

Kevin

greedyboy · 15-01-2008, 10:16 PM

Congratulations, you almost there and you have really done your homework! Welcome to the world of realising your dreams

There is nothing stopping them reproducing your product. Enforcing IP in China is virtually impossible as you can imagine.

There is only one thing I can advise. Build a solid relationship which is based on trust. Explain your fears to the point of being blunt with them. However this is best done face-to-face on a project this size.

The other option is to use a factory with a proven brand OEM experience. It may cost you more but you are safe in the knowledge your IP will almost be guaranteed to be protected.

One last bit of advise, shop around in China for the tooling quotations.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck.

kevwoog · 15-01-2008, 10:29 PM

Thanks for that!

greedyboy · 15-01-2008, 10:55 PM

Out of interest, did you do the 2d/3d CAD? I am looking for a reliable CAD designer!,

kevwoog · 16-01-2008, 01:48 PM

Yes, its been my profession for the past 11 years. Operate through my own Ltd company on a contract basis. I use state of the art Catia V5 to produce 2D/3D designs.

greedyboy · 16-01-2008, 01:51 PM

I have a product and need the clamshell blister 2d/3d drawings. The CAD guy I use is off travelling the world (using my hard earned cash!) so I am stuffed for the immediate future.

I have a 2d design as an idea but need the drawings for the manufacture. What's your 'mate's rate'

kevwoog · 16-01-2008, 02:36 PM

You mean me! My charge out rate is £28pa or agreed job price, and drawings would be in conjunction with 3D model(s) for tooling cuts etc. I have vast experience and not in the classification of a Cad monkey. If you want to talk more we could perhaps do it via email – do you have a spam mail you could give me? It may be later as I am swamped at the moment.

Cheers - Kevin