These are good questions. The seeds of success or failure are sewn early in the process of new product design. Selecting the right advisor and partner to help in the design, build and development of new products is the most important step.

A quick checklist of factors to consider:

• Reliability - are service promises consistently keep? Responsiveness - when reliability fails, are the problems fixed quickly?
• Tangibles - is there visual appeal in everything you see about the organization -- products, packaging, websites, facilities?
• Credibility - do you believe the supplier is a true expert at what he does, and that he is capable of meeting your expectations?
• Empathy - do you feel your supplier has a deep level of commitment to listen with the intent to understand your special needs?

In our industries much discussion is centered around technical competance and capability. Clearly other characteristics of the partner must be considered when engaging in the risky business of new product prototyping and development.

Would it make sense to contact Die-Tech to discuss your metal stamping projects?