What is one thing many medical device companies overlook when they anticipate future growth? Scalability. Inevitably, startups and even larger, more established organizations make the same mistake when it comes to understanding the connection between product outputs and being able to scale long-term. The ability to produce high output in the short term is not the same as the ability to scale production higher over time in a sustainable manner.
Some companies begin producing small quantities at first and figure they will address the problem of scalability later. However, that is a decision that can set the stage for future scalability roadblocks. While the issue may seem far in the future and not worth the worry now, it is something that will inevitably become a much larger and difficult problem to overcome down the line if not prepared for in advance.
So how can companies establish not only the ability to produce output quickly but prepare for future growth? They can achieve this by establishing a reliable infrastructure. This is especially critical when considering your external partners who are manufacturing, testing, or packaging your devices.
Medical device scalability: Anticipating growth
Rapidly increasing your device production as you scale up can bring a host of issues into the mix, including strained supply chains, bottlenecks in production, increased lead times, and other challenges that can interrupt your successful growth. Building a real foundation for sustainable growth from the beginning is critical for any company with aspirations for long-term achievements and profit.
There must be established protocols and infrastructure in place to ensure a smooth transition to consistent, larger-scale production:
Efficiency
How efficient is your current process, and can your contract manufacturing partner continue to support or improve those efficiencies? Explore options that will support your eventual growth goals for speed of production and volume.
Quality
Your product must maintain its quality, whether you are producing 5,000 units, 10,000 units, or many more. Perform your due diligence now to verify that your contract manufacturing partner has ability to maintain quality for the long-term and eventual increases in production.
Consistency
Your company must establish the ability to remain consistent, whether for smaller startup numbers or when your product hits its peak. Look for a contract manufacturing partner with a history of supporting MedTech companies like yours over time and with consistent results for smaller- and larger-scale production.
Labor
Do you have the labor and skill-based resources in place to scale down the road? Your manufacturing partner should have an established force of experienced professionals who are able to deliver on your production, including specialists with knowledge and insight.
Materials
Scalability requires confidence in accessing the materials your product needs, now and into the future when your product doubles in production due to high demand. Working with a stable contract manufacturer with a history of materials accessibility and versatility can give you that confidence and allow you to focus on more pressing things.
Choose a partner for long-term success, not for short-term
Remember that achieving high outputs is only a fraction of the equation when it comes to your product’s scalability. Sustainable scalability requires meticulous planning, investment in infrastructure, process optimization, and partnering with experienced organizations to navigate large-scale production complexities.
Identifying a contract manufacturing organization with a strong track record in handling high volumes and helping their clients scale up is the ideal way to achieve the above-mentioned priorities and meet evolving demand without sacrificing customer satisfaction. Experienced CMOs can also provide insights and best practices to support a company’s growth trajectory – from today’s launch into a high demand future.
Looking for more information on medical device manufacturing? Read Using Contract Manufacturer Facilities and In-House Services Expedites Medtech Time to Market and Reduces Risk.
Start up. Speed up. Scale up. Founded in 1997, Life Sciences Outsourcing is an FDA-registered and ISO 13485-certified organization with services and capabilities spanning the entire medical device product life-cycle – from turnkey manufacturing, testing, validation, and sterilization to precision packaging, fulfillment, and distribution. Email us at info@lso-inc.com or call (714) 672-1090 today to get started.
