subject: Save on R & D – Outsource to a Chemical Manufacturer [print this page] Save on R & D Outsource to a Chemical Manufacturer
Outsourcing to a chemical manufacturer is no longer the act of small to mid-size companies. Even large global companies do it. In this current economic climate, the focus is on better products and increasing market share without investing additional money in manpower and equipment. The only smart recourse R and D managers have is contracting chemical work outside the company.
Definition of Outsourcing in the Chemical World
In the chemical world, outsourcing refers to the division of labour, or subcontracting, outside the company. A few decades ago, outsourcing to an outside chemical manufacturer was a strategic move, not one necessitated by market share. However, given the increasingly competitive market, the only way to get ahead is to create new products while keeping costs down.
Why Outsource?
It makes sense to want to produce new products all in-house. After all, you would have control of your resources, personally see to the quality while controlling costs and resolving conflicts. Unfortunately, R and D managers are faced with less manpower, increasingly complex technology, little time and no money to invest into new processes internally, which necessitates outsourcing.
Time is money and company bigwigs want the new products on the market faster than before. Instead of spending time and money to change your processes in some areas, you can outsource key components of your work to speed things along. Because chemicals are often the most volatile part of product development, it makes sense to contract this function out. Besides, R and D managers can benefit from the technological advances the contract chemical companies have.
Outlining the Benefits of Outsourcing
Besides the obvious cost and time savings, you reap the benefits of the best equipment and talent when you outsource to an outside chemical company. This means you do not have to hire and train new employees nor invest in capital equipment and hazard insurance. The contract company absorbs this cost.
Increasing your company's capacity for innovation can happen when you outsource your chemical work. A contracted company is around chemicals all day. They know the properties, safety requirements and nuances of each chemical. That means, your manufacturer is more likely to come up with innovative ways of processing your chemical work as well as streamline production and costs.
Risk management is also a big reason why your company should consider outsourcing to a chemical manufacturer. It takes special equipment and trained employees to handle chemical work so when you hire out, you are reducing your own company's risk in the product development process. This translates into big savings something your company needs to stay competitive.
