A Complete Resource on Outsourced Manufacturing
Resources for outsourcing your printing and converting processes.
Overview
Outsourced manufacturing (also known as contract manufacturing and business process outsourcing) is the strategic approach of transitioning production responsibilities to a third-party manufacturer. While implementing outsourced manufacturing can prove to be a competitive advantage for many companies, it’s not a decision to be made lightly.
At Tapecon, we’ve compiled a variety of resources on outsourced manufacturing. If you have any questions about what this model may look like for your company, contact our team.
Trends in outsourced manufacturing
Outsource manufacturing is on the rise globally and across several industries. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the need for cost-effective production, shorter product lifecycles, faster speed to market, demand for custom products, and the ever-changing business landscape.
Another contributor to the rise of outsourced manufacturing is the recent reshoring movement. Companies are returning their foreign production to the United States for improved supply chain management, intellectual property protection, shorter lead times, quality control, and many other reasons.

Benefits of outsourced manufacturing
Delegating manufacturing responsibilities to an experienced manufacturer offers an array of benefits, including:
- 1Lowering your overall print manufacturing and converting costs.
- 2Focus the internal team on core competencies
- 3Consolidate supply chain
- 4Reduce costs for labor, equipment, materials, etc.
- 5Access to specialized design and process expertise
- 6Faster time-to-market with streamlined processes
- 7Enhanced product quality and regulatory compliance
- 8Manufacturing flexibility and ability to quickly scale to market demands

It’s important to note that outsourced manufacturing isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. OEMs often find that the most productive and cost-efficient solution is keeping core component production in-house while outsourcing non-core components.
Case Study: How Tapecon Took Over Production in 10 Months
Recently, Tapecon implemented an outsourcing strategy with an active packaging manufacturer seeking to improve their facility usage and operations. We started with a feasibility study, then developed an outsourced manufacturing plan that helped the company achieve several strategic objectives.
Read the complete case study to learn how we transitioned the company’s converting and printing operations (including labor and equipment) in just ten months while helping our customer realize several benefits related to supply chain, costs, and business growth.

Blog Posts
Read our latest articles and best practices on outsourced manufacturing.
03Jan
From Plan to Production – 4 Steps in Transitioning to Outsourced Manufacturing

27Dec
4 Manufacturing Capabilities You Should Consider Outsourcing Right Now

21Dec
3 Reasons to Consider Alternate Materials for Your Product

08Nov
The Outlook for Outsourced Medical Device Manufacturing in 2023 – and Beyond

27Oct
Why a Feasibility Study is Critical for Business Process Outsourcing

11Oct
3 Types of Outsourced Engineering Services for New Product Introduction
Podcasts
On Tapecon’s Better Product Solutions Podcast, we have insightful conversations with engineers, product managers, procurement managers, and a variety of professionals in the manufacturing space to explore a simple pursuit – how we can make products better.

Podcast: Arlene Short, Manager of Outreach and Recruitment at Goodwill WNY
| January 9, 2023
In this episode, we spoke with Arlene Short, Manager of Outreach and Recruitment for Goodwill of Western New York. Arlene discusses how the Goodwill..

Podcast: Pjeter Berishaj from LA-CO Industries
| October 4, 2022
This episode is only our second podcast face-to-face in our post-Covid world, and we were excited to get to discuss some exciting safety technology..

Podcast: Nick LaBelle from 3M on Pressure Sensitive Adhesives
| September 7, 2022
In this episode, we speak with Nick LaBelle, Advanced Specialist Application Engineer from 3M. As part of 3M, Nick has worked extensively with..

Podcast: Mary Sennett of Tapecon on Our Compliance System
| July 5, 2022
In this episode, we speak with Mary Sennett, Tapecon’s Quality and Compliance Manager. Mary has 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry...

Podcast: Harry Moser, Founder & President of the Reshoring Initiative
| March 16, 2022
In this episode, we speak with Harry Moser, president of the Reshoring Initiative. Harry has 55 years of experience in the manufacturing industry,..

Podcast: Phil Heft from Memcon on Connectors and Printed Electronics
| February 21, 2022
In this episode, we talk to Phil Heft, the Business Development Manager of North America for Memcon. Phil’s years of experience have led him to be an..
GUIDE TO OPTIMIZING YOUR MANUFACTURING CELLS
Cellular manufacturing (also called work cell or small group manufacturing) is a production model in which different processes are consolidated and performed in a logical sequence within a single area. Compared to a traditional assembly line – where each stage performs a single, repetitive task – cellular manufacturing enables a component or full product to be assembled in a continuous flow.
This guide covers the benefits and limitations of organized manufacturing cells, typical implementation and techniques, and the difference between in-house and outsourced manufacturing.

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To learn more about outsourced manufacturing, fill out this short form and a Tapecon representative will follow up with you as quickly as possible. As a fifth-generation family business, we pride ourselves on being trusted manufacturing partners for our clients, and we look forward to working with you.