Product Sourcing and Production
From prototype to first batch
Once your prototype is approved, we help you get the product made.
Bates Product Design prepares production data, gets detailed manufacturing quotes, sets up the right manufacturing partner and checks the first batch.
You get one team from first sketch to factory floor.
Engineering Drawings
Firstly, we ensure that you have all of the correct Engineering Drawings and CAD files for the manufacturers. This ensures that the manufacturer fully understands the product and will make it to our specifications.
This also acts as a contract ensuring that the manufacturer makes the correct part, if it doesn't align to the Engineering Drawings, then they need to remake it.
Finding the right manufacturer
We work with manufacturing partners across the UK, most of the EU, India, China, the USA and more. We choose the most appropriate manufacturer for each project, depending on the product, the process and what matters to you.
If you already have a manufacturer, or want to choose one yourself, we are happy to work with any manufacturer. We can prepare the production data for them and help check their quotations.
Small production runs in our Highbridge workshop
For small quantities, we can make small production runs in our Highbridge workshop. This is useful for early batches, limited editions or testing the market before a larger order.
3D printing is ideal for small batches as it if very flexible and doesn't require expensive tooling to be made, and doesn't have a minimum order quantity - however we will choose the best option for your project.
Setting up the supply chain
We establish the supply chain with your chosen partner and manage the workflow with suppliers, acting as a central hub so you are not coordinating several companies yourself.
We also supply all contact details for each supplier so that you're not tied to us and you can easily order additional batches in the future.
Production and first batch
Once you approve the quotation, production begins and the first batch arrives. We assess the parts against quality specifications and make sure the product functions as required. Manufacturing typically takes about one to two months but it depends on the supplier and technology being used.
Once we have the first units we will check that they meet our standards and ensure functionality.
Certification support
We offer UKCA and CE marking support, for products that must meet UK or EU requirements before sale.
This often includes any product with embedded electronics, lighting, children toys, medical products and more.
