Outsourcing is no stranger to controversy. Ever since Russell Kelly Office Services paved the way for onshore outsourcing in 1946, onshore and offshore outsourcing have had their fair share of critics. It used to be an issue of exploitation of cheap labor for personal business gains. Then companies themselves became disgruntled with the outsourcing model because of their unrealistic expectations of cost savings and ROI which failed to meet any of their expectations.



Problems with vendors and poor communication channels were also just some of the hurdles companies and suppliers had to deal with. But given all the cynicism, outsourcing has continued to gain in momentum, proving to skeptics that with a comprehensive strategy in place, outsourcing is a real force to be reckoned with for sheer business proficiency.

Medical device companies are a prime example of how outsourcing almost every phase of their product development to the right contract manufacturer, can give them the edge in a very highly competitive sector. It is this almost perfect marriage of specialized knowledge and expertise shared between an OEM and the contract manufacturer that determines the outcome of an outsourcing venture.

It used to be the case when OEMs had to resort to using a number of outsourcing companies to accomplish specific tasks to produce a single product. There was one company for the design process, another for the manufacturing process and another for marketing the end product. It is here that outsourcing perhaps, exposes its weakest link due to the law of diminishing returns, where productivity is affected when too many people get involved.

It's for this reason that today, a growing number of contract manufacturers have made it their priority to set themselves apart from the competition and provide an all round solution for OEMs. Meaning, these contract manufacturers don't just turn OEMs? visions into prototypes and shut its door when the pilot is completed. Their outsourcing services now extend to customized solutions for each OEM client; regulatory assistance; supply chain management and after-market support.

Not only will OEMs reduce costs by using a contract manufacturer that caters to every operations function, but OEMs will now also be able to speed up production of quality breakthrough products to stoke up higher sales. This is such an understated advantage, which bears repeating. Working with a contract manufacturer that performs all the heavy lifting for an OEM, like managing the entire supply chain for instance, is a huge burden lifted off for an OEM.

This value proposition of cost-saving, profit-boosting and value-added services has been the win-win situation that outsourcing has been preaching all along. Outsourcing was never about producing low-cost products just for the sake of efficiency, not especially in an innovative market such as the medical device sector.

A contract manufacturer delivering full service outsourcing also benefits by understanding more about its client's technology, expanding its knowledge base which ultimately, can only bode well for the end user. If innovation is to continue to flourish, then full-service contract manufacturers must adopt a keen interest in learning about the OEM's market it is serving.

Outsourcing done correctly will carry an OEM and a contract manufacturer into a strategic partnership that can reap benefits for years to come. It is evident then that thoughtful contract manufacturer selection is essential, if business goals of an OEM are to be met. And it all starts with a multidisciplinary contract manufacturer skilled in innovative product designs, engineering expertise and project management skills - all components that determine the success, or failure of a medical device company.