Limited Edition? Why Companies Restrict Production Runs
If you missed out on reserving a Mandala V3 we are sorry that our message did not reach you in time. Decisions regarding a possible second production run will be made asap.
You've seen it before: a product hyped as "limited edition" or boasting a "collectible" status. This exclusivity can drive consumer desire, but have you ever wondered why we or any company might limit production, especially if there's clear demand? One reason could be that certain components of the product are manufactured by third parties. Let's delve into the world of component manufacturing and explore how it impacts our production runs.
What is Component Manufacturing?
Imagine a company with a promising product design but limited resources for large-scale production. Think of the machinery needed to make injection mold tooling, then another machine to run material through the mold, and machines to make custom circuit boards or conductive switches, etc. This is where component manufacturers come in. Contracting component manufacturers offers several advantages:
Cost Reduction: Companies can avoid the hefty upfront investment in equipment, facilities, and labor.
Scalability: Component manufacturers can easily adjust production volume based on demand, allowing companies to test the waters with a limited run before scaling up.
Expertise: Many component manufacturers specialize in specific industries, providing companies access to advanced equipment and skilled personnel they might not have in-house.
Employing component manufacturers means we can focus on the design of the Mandala. Using specialized contractors also means that we can ask for more complex specs and more stringent parameters that sometimes challenge the abilities of the contractor. Some of our designs have never been attempted before and our contractors have had to devise new procedures for production and quality control to meet our specs. This has made for sometimes strained relations, but often more solid partnerships with our contractors.
Limited Runs and Component Manufacturing: A Balancing Act
While component manufacturing offers flexibility, it also comes with limitations. Here's how it impacts our production runs:
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Larger component manufacturers often have minimum order quantities (MOQs) – the minimum number of units a company must order. This can be a hurdle for companies like us wanting a small production run to test demand. With some of our contractors we are more likely to run into Maximum Order Quantities as we choose more specialized manufacturers and fabricators we can work closely with. They sometimes limit us to a monthly maximum.
Production Scheduling: Component manufacturers juggle orders from multiple clients. Securing production slots for limited runs might be difficult, especially during peak seasons. Again this is not the case for all our contractors, but some, and so we must limit production for those specific parts.
Lead Times: The time it takes for a component manufacturer to produce a part can be longer than an in-house operation. This can impact our ability to quickly respond to changing market trends.
The Art of the Limited Edition
So, why the "limited" label? Some other reasons we choose a limited production run when using component manufacturing:
Gauging Demand: Limited runs act as a market test. By offering a smaller quantity, we can assess consumer interest before committing to a larger production.
Exclusivity and Hype: Limited production creates a sense of exclusivity and desirability, potentially driving up sales and brand loyalty. It isn't why we do it, but since we don't believe 'limited' hurts the Mandala brand we are willing to be limited for all the real benefits mentioned so far.
Inventory Management: Limited runs help us avoid the risk of overproduction and potential dead stock.
Customer Service: As a small team, we want to be able to handle whatever volume of service comes our way with the V3. It isn't expected to be much, but the Mandala is in many ways NEW to the lineup of popular sound triggers.
Conclusion
Our component manufacturers all have a proven track record of delivering to our ambitious product specifications. We trust our partners, and they often include a guarantee with each part they produce for us. We work closely with these partners to make sure each part is as durable as it is functional, and the trust built between ourselves and each partner is reflected in the Mandala we make for you.