Things to consider before you purchase high mix low volume contract manufacturing plastic products in the market

As a business, you may be looking to buy high mix low volume products in the market. This is a unique production model that comes with so many features. If you want to engage in HMLV as a business, this post focuses on what you will need to consider.

An overview of high mix low volume contract manufacturing plastic products

The high mix low volume contract manufacturing plastic products is a unique type of production method. The high mix, low volume production means that a manufacturer produces a large variety of products but in smaller quantities. In the manufacturing of plastic products, this is a contract that allows the production of a wide variety of plastic items but in smaller quantities. Therefore, with this manufacturing contract, products are made based on the specific needs of the customers or the demand in the market. It is a manufacturing model that helps manufacturers produce a diverse product range in a single market. It is a useful strategy if you have to produce products with more complex and unique requirements with specific quality demands.

 

A look at the use of this manufacturing method in the plastic production industry

The high-mix low-volume (HMLV) is a manufacturing method whereby product makers produce a variety of products in limited numbers. HMLV environments are known for their high flexibility. This type of production model has two key features:

High-mix: High mix in the plastic manufacturing industry refers to the manufacturing of a variety of products by a single manufacturer.

Low volume: This means that plastic products are manufactured in low numbers.

In the plastic production industry, the HMLV business model is also called make-to-order (MTO) manufacturing. These plastic production companies are known to work based on contracts from customers. In this case, the ordering customers decide on the product scope and its specifications. It is used to highlight the needs of the customer and not that of the manufacturing company.

 

How does HMLV work in the plastic production industry?

The high-mix low-volume (HMLV) is a product assembly model that works by producing a relatively small amount of plastic products, however with more varied features. Manufacturers that deal in HMLV production receive contracts to produce a certain line of plastic products, especially from a brand. These manufacturers then re-arrange their manufacturing facilities to align with the production needs of the clients. In reality, HMLV manufacturers work on multiple plastic product contracts at the same time. This means that they frequently adjust their production methods.

 

HMLV production facilities are always being changed

The operations of a HMLV facility are always changing which means that manufacturers can easily assemble a large spectrum of plastic products in their facility. This means that a single plastic manufacturing facility can cater to a wide range of products like plastic toys, medical devices, electrical components, power tools, and so on, from different manufacturers. Due to the ever-changing environment of this production model, it is possible for workers not to be involved in certain product assemblies for a matter of weeks or months. This is why HMLV manufacturers need smart equipment and systems to efficiently monitor the assembly of plastic products in a high-mix production environment.

 

The pros and cons of the high-mix low-volume plastic manufacturing

The pros of high-mix low-volume plastic manufacturing

Can be designed and built easily: The machines and technology needed for the production of plastic products in HMLV can be easily designed and built. Many such facilities have flexible layouts that make it possible for the manufacturers to meet the individual needs of the customers.

 

Improvement-on-the-go: HMLV plastic manufacturing also support for manufacturers to make small and continuous improvements to the products. These are usually little changes that do not require a significant amount of investment. This is why HMLV can quickly introduce innovations and improvements to their production lines.

 

Supports lesser inventory: The HMLV plastic production model means that products are only manufactured when they are needed. It means that there will be little or no inventory to store. As a make-to-order (MTO) business model, the manufacturer only buys and stores parts needed to manufacture the plastic products. This production model makes it easy for products to move very fast because the customers have ordered the exact product quantity.

 

The cons of high-mix low-volume plastic manufacturing

There are various disadvantages to the high-mix low-volume plastic manufacturing business model. These include:

Always results in low product outputs: One of the major drawbacks of the HMLV production model is that it yields a lower amount of product. This means that if a certain product does well in the market, the business will have to wait until the next production run to get more of it.  This is because HMLV manufacturers are bound by the manufacturing contract and barely have the time to optimize their production facilities for maximum plastic production.

 

The layout of the manufacturing facility can be complex: HMLV plastic production facilities usually have complex layouts due to the presence of multiple product lines. In addition, since these plastic products are being made according to contracts, the entire layout can change every week or month. This constant change to the facility makes it hard for certain workers to keep up with the needed skills and expertise required for each production run.

 

How high mix low volume contract manufacturing plastic products affect businesses

Businesses that specialize in the manufacturing of high mix low volume plastic products usually experience the good and bad of this production model. This is how the manufacturing method affects the business:

 

It puts a strain on your supply chain system: Why so many businesses have organized and efficient supply chain systems, HMLV can make things quite difficult. This is because you will have to purchase materials and parts for a wide spectrum of products.

 

Frequent changes to the layout of the facility: When you produce a large variety of products in shorter times, you will need to change the layout of your facility very often. When you frequently change your product lines, it can increase the possibility of errors in the product.

 

Product inspection can be easy: If you manufacture a wide variety of plastic products in smaller quantities, it can be easy to inspect these items thoroughly. This makes it easy to enhance quality control in comparison to the mass production of plastic items.

For more about the things to consider before you purchase high mix low volume contract manufacturing plastic products in the market,you can pay a visit to Djmolding at https://www.djmolding.com/high-volume-plastic-injection-molding-for-high-volume-manufacturing-what-it-is-and-how-it-works/ for more info.