When searching for a tape converter, the most important factor to consider is obviously whether a company has the converting capabilities you need. Do they have the right equipment, sufficient capacity and personnel to get the job done? But in truth, any converter worth their salt will generally have the same overall capabilities, outside of specialty needs. So, the real difference between converter companies lies in their experience, the quality of customer support they can provide and their relationships with the material suppliers whose products they convert for your application. These factors provide real value to customers and should be considered thoughtfully as you make your decision.
The value of experience
Whether you’re looking to create products for the healthcare industry, industrial markets or fashion and entertainment industry, you can’t discount the value of an experienced tape converter partner. A company that has true expertise in materials science will be able to create efficiencies and control costs from prototype concepting all the way through commercial production. A staff of true engineering professionals will be able to help you identify solutions with product design, selecting the appropriate materials and anticipating problems before they impact project timelines. This will reduce the overall cost of product development and help increase speed to market.
When a converter not only understands your product needs, but also the industries you’re targeting, they can offer advice on design and materials decisions so you can create products that truly make an impact in the market. But that level of understanding only comes from experience.
Experience can be a hard thing to qualify, but there are signs that a converter has the experience and expertise you need to create quality products with speed and efficiency. Here are some things to look for when searching for an experienced tape converter:
Relationships with suppliers – Do they have strong partnerships with leading materials suppliers so they can help you source materials at scale and ensure they will be able to deliver those materials on time and in sufficient quantities?
Understanding of process from prototype to scale – Can they help with the entire product development cycle or are they only equipped to execute finished designs?
Quality certifications for your target industries – Do they have the proper qualifications to ensure you are meeting all regulatory requirements?
Support can be critical
Every manufacturer in the market today relies on a host of vendors — from software providers to marketing agencies — to help run their business. But when you encounter a problem in your product development process, you don’t need just another vendor. You need a true partner. The level of custom support a converter provides can be critical for keeping project timelines on track and helping you work through major issues.
When evaluating potential partners, consider this: When you pick up the phone to make a call, do you have direct access to engineering professionals who can help you solve problems on the spot? Or will you be talking to customer service reps who simply manage calls, and you’ll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable to get back to you? When speed is a necessity, you can’t sit around waiting for answers. In these instances, the level of support a company provides has a real and immediate impact on your ability to deliver the project on time and achieve product performance goals. Be sure to ask any potential partner about their full service, end to end engineering and support services and how they will be able to nurture your project from start to finish.
The right tape converter is out there
When looking for a tape converter that can meet your needs, it’s important to go beyond the specific services they offer. By also considering a company’s experience and support, you can eliminate a lot of headaches and streamline product development. Asking the right questions and not settling for just another vendor will allow you to stay within budget, speed time to market and ultimately achieve your product goals.
Looking for a true converting partner you can count on? Contact The Tape Lab to see how our experienced team can help bring your ideas to life.