Question

What is the best resource you have found for identifying friendly manufacturers for start-ups in the U.S.? –Barbara Trevett, San Antonio, Texas

 

Answer

Before you do anything, it’s important to figure out which type of manufacturer you need, says David Gingrich, president, All Star Advisors, a manufacturing consultancy in South Lyon, Mich. That may prove difficult since they typically aren’t industry or start-up specific. To help you narrow down the selection process, find out which materials the manufacturer uses in production. If your product is mainly constructed with wood, look for manufacturers based in West Virginia or Kentucky where lumberyards are plentiful. Likewise, southern California or Miami are good destinations for fabric manufacturers, which tend to employ less expensive immigrant labor.

Gingrich recommends heading to mfg.com, an online marketplace for manufacturing firms, and issuing some queries on Craigslist.org in addition to help you find a manufacturer that fits the bill.