YOU’VE GOT THE IDEA, YOU’VE
MADE A PROTOTYPE, NOW YOU
NEED TO DISCOVER WHETHER
YOU CAN MANUFACTURE THE
PRODUCT AND AT WHAT COST.
Finding a manufacturer isn’t easy and it’s always items you want made, technical drawings, and
best to speak to a specialist or get advice other requirements such as packaging,
through Business Link. But we give you the anticipated production runs, etc.
basic steps to help you along this path.
The Department for Business, Enterprise and
Your first step is to contact the trade association Regulatory Reform Manufacturing Advisory
that represents your product or sector. They Service (MAS) can help you to source
have many resources and can give direct advice manufacturers and will also provide general help
or point you to potential information sources. and advice.
This is good ground work and helps you to
formulate the right questions to ask. Plus joining Now you can approach a potential manufacturer,
the trade association gives you the opportunity but do ensure that you protect your design or
to learn more about your chosen sector. (Check invention with a non-disclosure agreement.
out our Trade Association directory in next Depending on the investment you wish to make
month’s biz-mag
www.biz-mag.co.uk). you may have your solicitor draft up this
agreement or find samples on the Internet to
Your next move should be to go online and make your own. Patenting your innovative
search for ‘how to find a manufacturer’ or similar. invention is also imperative and more advice can
There are many resources and articles that can be found at the Patents Office.
give you great ideas even if they are not UK
based websites. From networking at industry Finally, if you are happy with what has been
specific events, taking your prototype to agreed get advice before you sign anything by
manufacturing shows, to checking lists and employing a consultant or speak to Business
general case studies, each can offer advice so Link about finding the right person before you
you can build a case for your business. After all, commit.
you don’t want to go in blind, not knowing
whether you are getting a good deal or not.
RESOURCES
www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/About-Design/Business-Essentials/Invention/
Once you’ve done the research its time to draft a
www.cipa.org.uk and
www.itma.org.uk
brief. This should contain an overview of the
www.mas.berr.gov.uk or
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98