As a contract manufacturer in the metalworking industry, it can be a difficult task to find new customers and projects.
It is especially important that you have a strategy to constantly new orders because only this will help to secure sustainable growth for your company.
Below you will find some tips on how you can find new customers and projects as a contract manufacturer in metal construction:
Connect with industry experts
Networking with other professionals in your industry is essential to finding new customers and projects. visit Trade Shows, kick industry associations and make contacts with other contract manufacturers and manufacturers.
By building relationships with these people, you may be able to learn about new opportunities and subsequently collaborate on projects you might never have known about otherwise.
Use online platforms and portals for contract manufacturers
There are numerous online platforms that can help you as a contract manufacturer to find new customers and projects.
Possibilities include order exchanges like Jactio.com, Techpilot.de or Industryleads.com but also groups on the well-known ones social media platforms.
Develop a strong online presence
In today's digital age, it is important to have a strong online presence to attract new clients and projects.
This includes one professional site, where you showcase your work and services, and an active presence on social media and other online platforms.
With a strong online presence, you can reach a wider audience and make it easier for potential customers to learn about your business.
LinkedIn, for example, is a great resource for finding new clients and projects because it allows you to connect with other professionals in your industry and showcase your skills and experience.
But here it is important to define a strategy, so that your appearance does not appear unprofessional. It won't help you if you have orphaned accounts on all platforms.
Think about it, who your target audience is and where you can find them. For example, if you have production orders for CNC milled parts in large quantities from big companies search, you should find platforms like LinkedIn consider.
But if you want e.g Garden gates, carports or fences finished, it is definitely worthwhile to familiarize yourself with Facebook advertising to deal with.
Reach out to potential customers directly
An uncomfortable but effective way for many to find new clients and projects is to directly to potential customers to turn. This can through cold calling done by email, direct mail, or phone calls. Of course you have to observe legal requirements and proceed with caution.
Also, when you reach out to potential customers, you should tell them clear and precise explain what services you offer and how to get one create value for your business can. Go into detail about the prospect's business and talk about possible ones connecting points to make you stand out from the crowd.
Consider partnering with other companies
Another way to find new clients and projects is to partner with other companies in your industry. This can be a partnership with other contract manufacturers or manufacturers, but also with planning offices.
An example would be a cooperation between a contract manufacturer for sheet metal processing and a contract manufacturer for CNC milled parts. Also companies for downstream production steps such as Electroplate or powder coating are interesting partners for contract manufacturing companies. Both partners benefit by giving your customers one broader range of services offer without competing to stand.
By working together, you can too larger and more complex projects back up that you could not have managed on your own.
Start near
As a contract manufacturer, you don't have to look for orders thousands of kilometers away right from the start. The closer your potential customers are, the better your chances of finding worthwhile work. This is for the following reasons:
Lower marketing costs
Both online and offline, the cost of generating new inquiries is lower nearby. You can visit multiple customers in less time and have lower travel costs.
Search engines also prefer local companies. Especially when potential customers search using maps such as Google Maps.
better prices
In addition to quality and delivery reliability, total costs are what count for customers of contract manufacturers. This includes the costs for the components, but also for shipping and supplier support. A local supplier is cheaper for the customer and easier to look after. As a result, a contract manufacturer in the vicinity can usually obtain better conditions. The greater the distance, the greater the competition.
If there is a potential customer nearby, you should optimize in that direction first.
Offer competitive prices
Ultimately, it is important to offer competitive prices to attract new customers and projects.
That means you keep up to date with industry trends and know what other contract manufacturers charge for similar services.
Especially if you want to be active on platforms, you have to costs under control have and offer competitive prices to get orders.
Finding orders as a contract manufacturer – the first three steps
1. Define strategy
- Who are the potential customers?
- Where do you find them regularly and where do they get information?
- What services can you offer?
- What are you particularly good at?
2. Build brochures and online presence
Formulate your core message and highlight your strengths. Focus on these and don't advertise too broadly.
Submit your site in the most important local and industry standard subcontracting directories and make sure you can also be found on maps like Google Maps. Ask existing customers to rate you online.
3. Make contacts and start advertising measures
Once you have completed the first two steps, you have several options to get in touch with potential customers and partners. Stick to your strategy and adapt it if necessary.