Any entrepreneur looking to turn an idea into a product must have a manufacturer. If you’re one such entrepreneur, and you’re past the necessary planning stages of bringing a dream to light, now is the time for you to decide: will you go with a third party, or open a manufacturing center of your own?

A third party manufacturer comes with their own set of advantages: they’re already up and running and doing business. If you choose to go with a third party, be sure to choose your manufacturer carefully. In your early stages, you may have trouble getting the interest of a large manufacturer, so brainstorm ways to provide them with incentive. When possible, convince them that your product would help grow their business. It’s also important, when choosing a third party manufacturer, to check their references. You don’t want to be stuck with a bad alliance in these fragile, important months of beginning.

Once you do choose a third party manufacturer, build a relationship. Even if your manufacturer is out of the country, attempt to fly over regularly, especially in the initial stages, to build a person-to-person understanding with your partners, and to oversee the production of your idea. Even when you’ve settled on a third party manufacturer, have some backup manufacturers you feel comfortable with. Your manufacturer may drop you in favor of a bigger client, so be ready to move on if necessary. If you wish to avoid a potential drop altogether, consider opening your own manufacturing center. While you will need to invest more time in the creation of your facility, it may save you stress and trouble in the long run.

If you choose to open your own manufacturing center, research heavily. Find ways of saving on cost, like using manual labor whenever possible. To begin, rent as many machines as you can. Once you’re able to move up, invest in machines that won’t break down: as examples, consider composite material machining with CMS North America or forklifts with United Industrial Service Inc. in Agawam, MA. Make careful decisions regarding what equipment you do buy, and of course, make sure you have the necessary certifications and licenses before you even begin.

Whatever moves you choose to make, whether you go with a third party, or start your own manufacturing business, this is an exciting time in the development of your product. Use it wisely, and angle your decision carefully towards success. With the proper chess moves, this could be the next step on your way to a top-selling product.