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

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

22May
12 Reasons Why Now’s the Time to Reshore Your Outsourced Manufacturing
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: Brad Hull, Printed Electronics Business Unit Director at Tapecon
| July 12, 2023
In Episode 19, we had a great conversation about printed sensors with Brad Hull, Printed Electronic Solutions Business Unit Director here at Tapecon...

Podcast: John Crosby of Grand Rapids Label on Sustainability
| May 31, 2023
In this episode of our podcast, we spoke with John Crosby, Vice President of Operations at Grand Rapids Label (GR Label). We discussed GR Label’s..

Podcast: Aditi Subramanian of FLEXcon on OMNI-WAVE Biosensing Technology
| May 3, 2023
In this episode, we spoke with Aditi Subramanian, Strategic Business Unit Manager for the Healthcare side at FLEXcon. We discussed how OMNI-WAVE™, a..

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..
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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