Tools of the Trade

How Contract Manufacturing Companies Fit in the Supply Chain

How Contract Manufacturing Companies Fit in the Supply Chain

Product Resources, a FORGE Iron partner, is a contract manufacturing company with expertise in designing and building complex scientific, medical and industrial equipment. In this Tools of the Trade, Product Resources explains contract manufacturing companies’ position in the complex network we call the regional supply chain ecosystem. The contract manufacturing industry has exploded over the…

Tech Tip: Most Common Causes of Contactor Chatter and Noise

Tech Tip: Most Common Causes of Contactor Chatter and Noise

Pearse Bertram, a FORGE Iron partner, is an industry-leading provider of distribution and contract manufacturing services for automation and process control solutions. In this Tools of the Trade, Pearse Bertram writes about the three reasons for undesirable contactor chatter and noise and what to do about them. QUESTION: What are the possible reasons for unexpected…

5 Factors to Consider Before Scaling Up Your Process-Driven Sustainable Technology

5 Factors to Consider Before Scaling Up Your Process-Driven Sustainable Technology

The team of experienced engineers at Next Rung Technology, a Friend of FORGE partner, partners with growth-stage companies creating sustainable technologies to support them through the range of complex challenges faced in commercialization. In this Tools of the Trade, Next Rung Technology describes common pitfalls and useful strategies for scaling up sustainable technologies. Scaling up…

How to Hire a Product Development Team

How to Hire a Product Development Team

Finish Line Product Development Services, a Friend of FORGE partner, is a product development consultancy complementing companies’ existing product development teams with experts, processes and reference designs exclusively for startups and small companies. In this Tools of the Trade, Finish Line goes over the essential knowledge small businesses and startups need to hire a great…

Why Would Your Business Want a Banking Relationship?

Why Would Your Business Want a Banking Relationship?

Enterprise Bank, a FORGE Steel partner, is an independent, innovative bank that values the entrepreneurial spirit and stimulates the economy by helping to create new businesses. In this Tools of the Trade, Enterprise Bank Executive Vice President Peter Rayno discusses the value of a banking relationship and forming an interpersonal connection with your banker. You…

PDaaS and Consultants as a Low-Cost Alternative to Hiring

PDaaS and Consultants as a Low-Cost Alternative to Hiring

Bayard Design, a FORGE Iron partner, provides engineered solutions to its customers’ product design projects. Its team can help run product design projects from concept through to commercial scale. In this Tools of the Trade, Bayard Design describes how PDaaS or hiring a product development consultant can save startups precious funding. Hiring Engineers is difficult…

A Guide to the Different Tool Steels for Injection Molds

A Guide to the Different Tool Steels for Injection Molds

Plastics Manufacturing Resources, a FORGE partner, connects companies to a wide range of plastics manufacturing options, from injection and blow molding to additive manufacturing, thermoforming and more. In this Tools of the Trade, they discuss the options for tool steels for injection molds. There are many options to consider, depending on your needs. If you’re…

The Core Competencies of a Contract Manufacturer

The Core Competencies of a Contract Manufacturer

Product Resources, a FORGE Iron partner, is a contract manufacturing company with expertise in designing and building complex scientific, medical and industrial equipment. In this Tools of the Trade, Product Resources describes the qualities that innovative companies should look for when selecting a contract manufacturer. Finding the right contract manufacturer is a difficult, time-consuming process….

Reduce Total Cost of Ownership with Contract Manufacturing

Reduce Total Cost of Ownership with Contract Manufacturing

Pearse Bertram, a FORGE Iron partner, is an industry-leading provider of distribution and contract manufacturing services for automation and process control solutions. In this Tools of the Trade, Pearse Bertram defines Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and how companies can save on their TCO by working with a contract manufacturer. What is total cost of…

3 Critical Steps for Commercializing International Technologies for the US Market

3 Critical Steps for Commercializing International Technologies for the US Market

The team of experienced engineers at Next Rung Technology, a Friend of FORGE partner, partners with growth-stage companies creating sustainable technologies to support them through the range of complex challenges faced in commercialization. In this Tools of the Trade, Next Rung Technology discusses the process innovative companies should go through as they bring their product…