Home > About Us > Finding the Right Contract Manufacturer Saves Time & Money

contract manufacturerIf you’re looking for a contract manufacturing service, you’ve found the right place. With years of experience in the industry, Conversion Technologies International is a gold-standard contract manufacturer with the expertise and track record you deserve. Our extensive team of production experts have practically seen it all and done it all. Consequently, we can save you time, money and angst as you consider hiring a company to help in getting finished goods to your customers.

Types of Contract Manufacturing We Offer

Before we go further into detail on our core competency, let’s first make sure that we’re the right manufacturer for your product line needs. Likely, you already have a general idea of what you’re looking for as you consider outsourcing a completed version of your product. Notably, we specialize in laminating, coating and slitting & die cutting processes along with product development and improvement.

Some of the Materials We Handle
  • Rubber
  • Fabric
  • Plastics
  • Wood
  • Urethane
  • Polyester
  • Latex
  • Silicone
  • And many more
Techniques of Our Production Line
  • Hot Melt Spray Coating
  • Slot die coating
  • Hot gravure
  • Powder coating
  • Belt Laminator
  • Roll coating
  • Hot roll lamination
  • Water-based gravure coating and printing
  • Meyer rod coating
  • Knife-Over-Roll coating
  • Adhesive Coating
  • Slitting and Die Cutting
We’re a Contract Manufacturer for Diverse Industries
  • Automotive
  • Medical
  • Construction
  • Consumer Products and Packaging
  • Marine
  • Aircraft
  • Textiles
  • Furniture
  • Roofing

Additionally, we offer contract manufacturing in separate divisions to meet more diverse needs.

CT Filter

Made in our West Unity, Ohio facility, CT Filter manufactures melt-blown liquid filters from 5 micron to 50 micron and lengths up to 40″. From home filters to use in desalinization facilities, numerous liquid applications require these filters.

EZ Tarp

Also made in West Unity, EZ Tarp is a heavy duty, self-adhered hurricane tarp. The tarps have a 2′ pre-applied adhesive on the borders of the tarp with a release liner. Wind tested at 110 m.p.h.; they are a sturdy roof covering.

Common Manufacturing Operation Terms

Likewise, let’s go over a few key terms you need to know before we jump into the multiple benefits of finding a superior manufacturing partner.

  • OEM (original equipment manufacturer) OEM is a company that manufactures parts and equipment for other companies.
  • Supply chain – Essentially, a supply chain is the network involved to get a final product to customers.
  • Raw material – Basically, any unprocessed material.
  • Brand owners – the person or company that owns a product under a registered brand label.

What is Toll Manufacturing vs Contract Manufacturing?

As you’ve been researching, you may have run across a couple more terms – toll manufacturing and contract manufacturing. Many of our clients wonder what the difference is between the two. Initially, let’s discuss the similarities. Their common bond is their supply chain management. In both scenarios, your company hires another company to manufacture part or all of a product for you. Basically, you outsource a service on demand, but you remain the brand owner of the final product. 

The difference in toll manufacturing versus contract manufacturing is that in contract manufacturing, the company you choose supplies the raw material to compile your product as well. Rather than you exclusively sending your products to a partner for a final process (as you would in toll manufacturing), a contract manufacturer not only completes the production process for you, they also supply the materials needed. This method provides a quick and effective way for a company to extend their product line without investing in expensive equipment or storage areas.

The Benefits of Using a Contract Manufacturer

Next, let’s explore the overall benefits of finding the right company for your product and production needs.

At some point, businesses large and small wisely realize that while they can try to do everything, they can’t always do it efficiently on their own. Competent production of a product requires in-house expertise, proper equipment and space. The cost and resources you many require in the production process can be overwhelming. Ultimately, purchasing that equipment, along with hiring experienced staff to work with the equipment, negatively affects your bottom line. Often, outsourcing these tasks saves you valuable money and time.

Similarly, keeping your supply chain operating on a timely basis for each customer is imperative. As most business owners know, your customers expect their finished product practically before they even thought of ordering it. The old saying is so true. Under-promise; over-deliver. When you’re dealing with an unfamiliar manufacturing process, it’s challenging to live up to this mantra. The team at CTI already understands how to deal with a new product, create appropriate packaging and stay on top of supply chain management. Our years of experience save you time and production costs that may hamper getting the finished product to your customer. Additionally, our supply chain management techniques are the result of years of experience. (We’ll explore that process below.)

Less Stress

Moreover, it’s not always about cost savings. Outsourcing saves you stress. Running a company is difficult enough, even in the best of times. Finding a supplier that eases the logistics in getting the final product to your clients is imperative. Not only is our team here to help, we’re here to give you peace of mind. We act as an extension of your facility and as a partner focusing on your success.

CTI’s Supply Chain Management Techniques

Similarly, let’s review our supply chain management techniques. Notably, if you’re looking for a contract manufacturing partner, it’s imperative that they have an efficient and time-tested process in place.

Ultimately, our success is a result of our experience over the years. Our five-step process ensures that every client is a good match for our services and that they receive an appropriate solution to their unique situation.

Initial Consultation

First, we always have a thorough discussion concerning the needs of each new client and review our capabilities in relation to their needs. It’s imperative that these criteria line up and are a good match. Therefore, we can be certain of a successful outcome.

Research & Development

Once we determine that we make sense as your contract manufacturing partner, we take it a step further. Research and development is something all contract manufacturers should offer. When a client needs a new process, is working with a new material or wants to develop an entirely new product, we explain our capabilities and our test/retest ethic. Finding a weakness is better when it happens early in the design phase than later on in production. We want to be certain there are no surprises!

Lab Testing/Sample

The ability to inspect a quality product before we go into large-scale production is important. We believe that a sample in-hand is worth more than a finished product down the line! We allow inspection of the product at any stage of the process, to avoid major issues later on.

Pilot Run

Likewise, many manufacturers jump right from the research stage directly to production. This is risky. The full production run is an expensive operation. You want to be sure that there are no glitches in the first production of a new product. That mistake costs not only money; it costs time. Consequently, we firmly believe in a limited “pilot run” to be sure that things go smoothly in full production.

Production

Finally, we reach the stage of production with confidence. Contract manufacturing service clients know that working with us and having the advantage of all of our preliminary testing, that the least stressful step will be the full production run of their finished goods. Instead of a fretful situation where a major, expensive problem could occur, our production runs are relaxed affairs with a celebratory atmosphere. A smooth production process is our goal.

Three Steps to Find A Superior Manufacturing Company

Finally, you may be thinking all that information is fine and good. But, how do you choose a contract manufacturer? There are several steps to take. Fortuitously, you’re already well on your way to conquering the first one!

1. Search for a reputable and experienced company.

Nowadays, most clients find that hopping on the internet is the most efficient way to do this. As you may have already noticed, a million plus options appeared once you typed ‘contract manufacturer’ into your search engine. Narrowing down the right contract manufacturer takes a little more time and effort.

2. Research the company’s background and customer reviews.

Just as we do research for each project, you must as well. For each company you select, dig deep into their website. Check their past clients and customer reviews. Then, examine their overall capabilities, flexibility and range of options. Moreover, make sure that they’ve been around for a while. Not only does this mean that they have a proven and successful track record, it means they’ll be there for you in the future when you have new projects to manufacture and need a capable contract manufacturer as your partner.

3. Get to know them.

Just because a contract manufacturing organization looks fabulous on paper, it doesn’t always mean they’re the perfect fit for you. Hiring the right company is intrinsic to a successful outcome. When you sign a contract manufacturing agreement, it’s important both sides are ready to be a team. Our staff at CTI strives to get to know you just as much as you wish to get to know us. That open communication is crucial to any successful working relationship. Forming solid relationships is also a cornerstone of our overall success. Our team is knowledgeable and welcoming. We enjoy exploring new ideas with you and working together to create the best final product possible. Your success is our success.

Read Some Success Stories from CTI

Speaking of the importance of customer reviews, let’s explore a few of our success stories. In the end, we could go on and on about how fabulous we strive to be. Relaying the results of our commitment is likely the best way that we can help you truly see what we can do for you.

That said, here are a few of our success stories from our loyal and diverse clientele.

We have many more stories like this and some may be in the same industry as your company!

Diverse Industry

By working with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations, our team has the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to make your product best-in-class! Our engineers can resolve issues to get your product to market efficiently and at the same time, save you time and money.

Some of the companies with whom we have worked are:

  • Firestone
  • Clorox
  • General Motors
  • DuPont
  • Owens-Corning
  • Ford
  • Firestone
  • Hanesbrands
  • Lear

As you can see, our background is diverse and far-reaching. There is a reason that we appeared at the top of your list of contract manufacturers. We love what we do; we do it well. Furthermore, we love a challenge and thrive on the chance to conquer it. Combining creativity and capability helps us do exactly that. Whether your business is large or small, or whether or not your project is huge or minimal, we would like to take on your challenge and conquer it!

Most importantly, we would love hear about your project and discuss your needs further. If you’d like to add us to your team of superior solutions, request a quote or give us a call at 419-924-5566 to discover our capabilities and put your production in motion!