Plastic Injection Mold Making Is Growing
Plastic Mold Making
Every day it seems that the world of plastic injection mold making is getting smaller. Nearly everything you pick up has been partially or entirely manufactured in a variety of foreign countries. The art of making a plastic injection mold is in huge demand, but so is the competition!
There are still many good, high paying jobs in the plastics industry, but getting that job is tougher than ever.
At the same time, most companies have undergone a huge shift in their approach to plastic injection mold making. The days of small, independent shops are rapidly disappearing. Today, survival requires new techniques and very often alliances with other plastic mold manufacturers
American plastic injection mold making can compete
While it may be true that no American injection mold making company can compete for the with the rock-bottom wages paid to workers in the developing world, on many other levels, American plastic injection mold manufacturers are prospering.
There are many North American plastic mold manufacturers who have embraced the future very successfully. Their approach may vary, but the common theme is technology and lean manufacturing.
One successful method is to make use of lower labour costs in developing countries while maintaining control stateside. These manufacturers control the injection mold design and complex manufacturing and employ the skilled workforce abroad for other operations.
A common tactic is to specialize in an area not yet threatened by foreign companies. Highly complex parts, medical parts, proprietary parts, or otherwise specialized parts are all good candidates. Large injection molds are also a good prospect.
Plastic injection mold making and lean manufacturing
One thing is for sure, the need for flexibility has never been greater. Those who refuse to change run a very real risk of simply losing market share and watching their business disappear. There are a great many programs out there, such as 5S, Lean Management, Six Sigma and many more. These can be a tremendous help if done properly.
Many plastic mold company owners have benefited from the flexibility of using software to manage their business. Sticky note, scratch pads, fly-away papers just don’t cut it! Managing your operations in an integrated manner can have a huge impact on your business.
Global plastic mold making is here to stay
The fact is that global competition is here to stay. It is pointless to try and remain isolated and protectionist. Technology and communication just won’t stand still for anyone.
Companies that embrace the new marketplace and work with it, rather than against it, often discover that new opportunities present themselves; and hopefully, the profits will follow! Find out how some companies have benefited from outsourcing. Of course, new methods entail risk, but the rewards can be well worth it.
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