Let me share a quick story
Early in my career, on one of my first projects, I designed a plastic part for molding. I finalized the design and chose a material called Polyamide 6/6, or Nylon. I sent all the finished files and drawings to a mold maker and waited for his response. Surprisingly, after a while, he said he couldn’t use Nylon and suggested I pick another material.
I knew Nylon was important for this design for several reasons and we went back and forth over email for days—it was frustrating. Finally, something told me to just call him. “Why can’t you use PA6/6?” I asked. He explained that a narrow rib in the design was too thin for Nylon.
This rib—a small internal wall to block LED light—wasn’t critical. it could have been thicker or even removed entirely and solved in another way. Once I explained that, we adjusted the rib, and I got my Nylon part molded.
Lesson learned:
Your subcontractors are more than just vendors. They should be thought of as partners. If you’re in product development, your team is bigger than you think. Don’t just tell your suppliers what you need—explain the intent behind your request. Ask for their input and listen carefully. Make room for their recommendations and suggestions to design changes.

This experience shaped my approach to product development. The idea of designing internally (lots of CAD work) right to the finish line and then sending your parts out for production should be abandoned.
The correct path for best results both in quality and as a least resource approach should be an iterative approach.
Design in a more crude and fast way → send draft drawings and files to your trusted, collaborative suppliers and intentionally request a response and comments. Explicitly ask for design inputs and suggestions. Crucially, try to meet face to face with the supplier or at the very least video-meet with them.
After their inputs, make changes accordingly and resend the files and drawings.
This can be an iterative process since your supplier might have further comments and thus another round of changes might happen. Iterate until you perfect your design together with your supplier-partner.
This is especially true if your design has interacting parts that require multiple suppliers.
Systemizing this process, here are four steps to work correctly with your suppliers.
The Four Key Steps for Effective Collaboration
Step 1: Find Your Right Partner & Start Early
The first step to effective collaboration is choosing the right supplier-partner—one who is collaborative, professional, and willing to provide valuable feedback. Once you’ve selected the right partner, engage them as early as possible in the development process. Share your initial ideas and plans, even if they’re incomplete. The relationship with these suppliers should be addressed for both parties for the long term.
Why it matters:
Starting early allows you to incorporate feedback from the very beginning, avoiding 'whiteboard planning' (and detailed CAD design) that takes time and often leads to costly changes later.
Early collaboration helps identify design or material issues before they escalate.
Early collaboration helps find the right suppliers for the long run and for production later on.
Engaging a good supplier early also motivates them to take ownership of the project’s success, leading to better alignment and outcomes.
Step 2: Provide Context
When sharing designs at an early stage, go beyond dimensions and specifications. Explain the purpose behind your design choices and don’t hesitate to share initial sketches or even incomplete drafts. Help your suppliers understand the bigger picture including, for example:
Work environment: Will the product be exposed to heat, chemicals, or humidity?
System integration: How will it interact with other parts or systems?
Critical constraints: Any regulatory, functional, or cost limitations?
Providing this context enables suppliers to give practical, informed advice, saving time and leading to a better product overall.
Why it matters:
Suppliers often operate with a mindset of simply following requests. By sharing questions and explaining the intent behind your designs, you engage them as true partners in the process. This shift in mindset leads to deeper collaboration and better outcomes.

Step 3: Create a Dialogue
Collaboration doesn’t stop with sharing designs or asking questions over email. Build real communication by holding face-to-face or video meetings where you actively listen to their feedback. Focus on addressing critical topics such as:
Design feasibility.
Manufacturing challenges.
Cost-efficiency improvements.
Robustness and long-term performance.
Why it matters:
Actual conversations are dialogues, instead of emailing back and forth. These foster deeper insights than transactional email exchanges. Suppliers are more likely to share their honest opinions and innovative solutions when they feel heard and valued.
Step 4: Iterate (The Most Important Step)
After every conversation, update your designs based on feedback and share the revisions for further input. Treat collaboration as an ongoing cycle, not a one-time task. By doing this, you ensure the final product is excellent while minimizing wasted resources.
Why it matters:
Reaching a good design is fastest and most efficient through small step iterations.
Broadening this approach further with Different Types of Partners
To make collaboration even more effective, apply the process to a broader range of supplier-partners. Each type of partner brings unique expertise and value to your project.
1. Manufacturing Partners
Mold makers
Metalwork shops
Sheet-metal fabricators
Laser cutting suppliers
2. Regulatory Labs and Consultants
EMC labs
Safety labs
Environmental labs
Materials and chemical labs
Software testing companies
Why it matters:
Test early: Send your prototypes for testing even if they’re incomplete. Lab workers can provide valuable insights into your design, similar to your other suppliers.
Catch potential failures: Identify issues early before final designs are locked in.
Leverage expertise: Use their specialized knowledge to navigate regulatory hurdles efficiently and avoid costly redesigns.
3. Component Suppliers
Plan ahead: Check component lifespans to avoid future supply chain disruptions.
Ensure compatibility: Validate that parts integrate seamlessly into your design.
Build relationships: Strong partnerships lead to better support and flexibility, even if you’re a smaller client.
Each type of partner contributes differently, but by involving them at the right time and in the right way, you reduce risks, improve outcomes, and strengthen your development process.

In the end, product development with suppliers is a collaborative endeavor. By embracing early engagement, open communication, and iterative feedback with all types of partners, you can optimize your design in less time, with fewer resources, while achieving remarkable outcomes.
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