The U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (MEP) Supplier Scouting service connects U.S. manufacturers with the supply chain needs of various OEMs/Tier 1s and government agencies. U.S. manufacturers often struggle to find suppliers that meet specific criteria. MEP Supplier Scouting effectively identifies domestic manufacturers that meet specifications and connects them with the company seeking the solution. Companies that benefit from Supplier Scouting include:
- Manufacturers having trouble finding a U.S. manufacturer to supply a hard-to-find product, component, or material
- Manufacturers looking for new customers for their existing products
- Contract manufacturers that can make an initial run of a product that has potential to become multiple orders in the future
- Early-stage companies seeking manufacturing partners
Participating companies submit a Supplier Scouting Opportunity Synopsis that details technical specifications and performance requirements, delivery requirements and cost and volume estimates through their local MEP Network Center (Insyte Consulting is the MEP Center serving Western New York). This Opportunity Synopsis is distributed to the National MEP Network. Network members such as Insyte help identify manufacturers in their region that may have the required capabilities and help them submit a Supplier Scouting Results Submission Form. The MEP reviews and compiles this information in a Supplier Scouting Results Report, sends it to the company that submitted the request, and monitors the results of matches made.
Company requests cover a wide range of product types. Recent requests include:
- Electrospun Protein Sheets
- Diisopropanolamine
- Plastic Resin
- Fishing Nippers
- Fabric Firearm Accessories
- Injection Molded Firearm Accessories
- Flexible Heating Duct
- AMTRAK Uniforms
- Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Containers
Contact Insyte Consulting if you would like to learn about the opportunity to submit your company’s capabilities or if you would like to post a request to find suppliers for your company’s need: info@insyte-consulting.com
The Supplier Scouting service in one of many ways that Insyte Consulting helps WNY manufacturers to Innovate, Grow and Profit.
