10 Signs You Need a New Injection Molding Partner

Key Takeaways

• If you’re seeing unpredictable pricing, missed deadlines, recurring quality issues, or your current vendor isn’t providing innovative solutions, those are red flags.

• A reliable partner should offer clear, stable pricing, scalability, technical expertise, and integrated services to help you grow.

• If you are experiencing any of these issues with your current vendor, they may be holding your business back.

Here are 10 compelling reasons to find a new injection molding partner — one that supports your goals with the right capabilities, communication, and commitment.

1. Unpredictable or Rising Costs

If your current partner is frequently changing pricing, lacks transparency in quotes, or doesn’t offer competitive rates, it may be time to seek a partner with more stable and cost-effective pricing structures.

At Vital Plastics, we break down tooling options that correlate into part pricing, we buy resin on contract whenever possible, and show you the resin and colorant pricing right on our quotes. We actually prefer to go through our quotes with our customers to answer each and every question that you might have about our quote. We are a member of MAPP (Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors), so we stay up to date on industry trends, including direct and indirect labor and press rates (by size/tonnage) to be as competitively priced as possible.

2. Missed Delivery Deadlines

Late deliveries can disrupt your production schedule, hurt your reputation, and cost you money. A reliable partner should consistently meet lead times and offer clear communication when issues arise. At Vital Plastics we currently track to a 99.86% OTD for all customers.

3. Quality Inconsistencies

Recurring defects, high scrap rates, or poor part tolerances are red flags. A new partner with stringent quality control and certification (ISO) can ensure better results and fewer costly returns or rework. Vital Plastics is ISO 9001 certified and our PPM currently is at 41.

4. Poor Communication & Customer Support

If your current partner is slow to respond, lacks transparency, or is difficult to work with, that’s a relationship liability. A proactive, responsive partner is essential for efficient project execution and problem-solving. At Vital Plastics we aim to never have our customers wondering what is going on with their tooling, part, or projects. We maintain a consistent cadence to customer reporting, whether there is good news or challenges.

5. Limited Prototyping Capabilities

If you’re developing new products, your partner should offer rapid prototyping, design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback, and tooling expertise. Lack of these capabilities slows innovation and increases risks. We have in-house 3D printing capabilities and we are constantly asked to build aluminum prototype short-lead-time tooling which we will happily do for our customers because let’s face it, it can save us time and energy too. In addition, Vital Plastics has a standard operating procedure of providing a DFM for all new quotes regardless of customer.

6. Outdated Technology & Equipment

Modern molding techniques, automation, and monitoring tools improve efficiency and consistency. A partner using outdated equipment may not be able to meet your current or future needs. All of Vital Plastics presses are standardized to all-electric Shibaura (Toshiba) & Toyo machines. One hundred percent of our machines have robotic enhancements and we utilize automation (robots, camera systems, conveyors, and vibratory bowls) as much as possible. We have also incorporated an ERP system called “IQMS” to keep the human element out of the manufacturing, purchasing, and planning process as much as possible. Lastly, we use RJG sensors in molds we run for scientific molding to be sure we limit scrap, reduce quality inspection, and run more productively.

7. Lack of Industry-Specific Experience

Injection molding varies significantly by industry (medical, automotive, consumer goods, etc.). A partner unfamiliar with your industry may struggle with compliance, material selection, or technical requirements. Vital Plastics has experience across a multitude of industries that helps us be and stay competitive.

8. Scalability Issues

If your business is growing and your partner can’t scale production or lacks the capacity for large-volume orders, they may hold back your growth. A scalable partner supports your trajectory without bottlenecks. Vital Plastics has room to grow. We have room in our existing footprint to add more presses or equipment and one of our plants has six acres (260,000 ft²/24,000m²) of undeveloped land to add more plant space as necessary.

9. Limited Secondary Services

A modern injection molding partner often offers more than just molding including assembly, packaging, pad printing, or supply chain integration. If your current vendor doesn’t, you may be missing efficiencies. Vital Plastics is an integrated, vertical supplier with many post-molding assembly and decorating capabilities.

10. No Commitment to Continuous Improvement

A partner that resists feedback, lacks lean practices, or doesn’t invest in process improvements may stagnate. Forward-thinking partners are always looking to optimize performance and support your success. Vital Plastics understands that to be competitive, we need to constantly be looking for performance improvements on all fronts: VA/VE events, maintaining resin costs through contract buys, automated (programmable) quality and inspection equipment, KANBAN and inventory management to reduce setup costs, scrap and recycling management, productive scheduling of jobs and presses, and workforce efficiency.

Vital Plastics is well-positioned to assist in tooling transfers, new part and mold design, DFM’s, Moldflow analysis, 3D printing, prototyping, and low- to high-volume part and assembly production. We can definitely help suggest the best approach for material selection and help drive out cost with early project involvement. Would you like help with a specific example or part? Contact Vital Plastics today to find out what we can do for you!

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