Case Introduction Expansion of the finished product business
A new sales team dedicated to ODM business was formed in 2022. In addition to proposing products utilizing Elematec's extensive supplier network, we have established a support platform that goes beyond the framework of a trading company, partnering side-by-side with customers from the product planning and development stages. By providing a one-stop solution from planning and development to delivery, we have won new projects for a wide range of items, including gadgets, household appliances, robots, and audio equipment. As such, we have cultivated new customers and industries with which we did not have business ties.
Challenge
- A customer sought to plan a new product but lacked the resources as well as the technical and quality expertise to select the best suppliers and build a manufacturing process.
- The overseas outsource company is difficult to manage from Japan due to differing business practices such as transaction terms and quality control standards, in addition to a language barrier.
Solutions provided by Elematec
Planning products that meet customer needs
The Design Dept., which has specialized expertise in product specifications and design, plays a central role in selecting contract manufacturers. As an intermediary between the customer and the contract manufacturer, we identified the items to be considered from various points of view, such as whether the structure of the product, the mounting condition of the substrate, and the software, etc. match the customer's requirements. We also confirmed whether the product meets the quality standards required by the customer, the risks assumed and the measures to be taken against them, and contributed to the specification process. Once the specifications were determined, we quickly arranged for the optimal parts and materials for the product by leveraging our extensive supplier network and close coordination between domestic and overseas sites.
Building and improvement of manufacturing processes
Elematec's Environment Preservation & Quality Assurance Dept., which has specialized expertise in quality assurance, delivered detailed support to contract manufacturers from prototyping to mass production by building manufacturing processes, conducting process audits, and providing guidance on improving yields and reducing defects. We also responded promptly to defects that occurred after delivery to customers and worked with contract manufacturers to prevent recurrence. Elematec has quality assurance personnel stationed not only in Japan, but also overseas, and is able to conduct such thorough quality follow-ups on a global basis, thus mitigating the concerns that Japanese customers have when they outsource manufacturing to overseas manufacturers.
Support for acquisition of various certifications and establishment of maintenance schemes
The ODM business team responds flexibly to customer requests in addition to providing product planning and quality assurance. Product manufacturing requires various certifications, which require time and effort to obtain. The entire team covered for the lack of knowledge and resources of the customer by leveraging the expert knowledge of the technical and quality teams and the information networking capabilities of the sales team. We also provided support for obtaining Society of Industrial Technology for Antimicrobial Articles (SIAA) certification in response to a customer's request to obtain not only product standard certification but also certification of antimicrobial functions for product PR purposes. In addition, for customers seeking to receive after-sales service after manufacturing, we have established a scheme for arranging cooperative suppliers and handling everything from recall of defective products to maintenance.
Finished products (ODM)
USB cable
Bluetooth earphone
Tablet
Self-propelled robot (avatar robot)
Bluetooth speaker
Coffee maker
Body composition meter
Oral irrigator
Successes
- Built a relationship of trust with customers by demonstrating the integrated strengths of the Elematec Group and acquired projects not only for the next model but also for other products
- Expanded the customer base to include retailers (electronics superstores) and other non-manufacturing industries by successfully planning and manufacturing private brand products
- Obtained certification-related experience, such as SIAA
- Acquired experience in after-sales service such as collection of defective products
