What shifts best now—process norms, tooling, finishing, watch-outs by category.
Chips: Castings/Forgings • Plastics/Rubber • Wire Harness • Packaging • Textiles/Leather
Castings & Forgings (India Fit)
What shifts well: valve/pump bodies, brackets, housings, cookware-grade CI, agricultural & general-engineering parts.
Process norms: Sand/die/investment casting; open/closed-die forging with in-house/partner heat-treat & CNC.
Tooling: Pattern/die design with shrinkage & gating; soft vs. hardened dies; PPAP/FAI for critical parts.
Finishing & QA: Heat treatment, machining, shot-blast, powder coat; NDT (DPI/MPI), pressure/leak tests, CoC.
RFQ essentials: Alloy & standard (e.g., ASTM/EN), 2D/3D + tolerances, weight window, heat-treat, machining callouts, finish spec, test plan, annual volume/MOQ.
Watch-outs: Pattern allowance, porosity control, tier-2 alloy availability, coating cure windows.
Pilot→Ramp tip: Approve a golden sample + control plan; run 10–20% pilot with DUPRO, then scale.
CTA: Post RFQ (24–72h shortlist)
Plastics & Rubber (Injection/Blow/Extrusion; Silicone/TPE)
What shifts well: enclosures, caps/closures, consumer components, auto interiors, gaskets, silicone parts.
Process norms: DFM for wall thickness, ribs, draft; MUD bases, family tools, multi-cavity optimization.
Tooling: P20/H13 steel choice, cooling layout, hot runner selection; soft-tool → hard-tool progression.
Finishing & QA: Texture/paint/printing, ultrasonic welding; CTF/CTQ gauges, warp/fit checks; migration (FDA/REACH/CPSIA) where relevant.
RFQ essentials: Resin grade + acceptable alternates, color/Pantone & masterbatch %, shrinkage data, cosmetic standard, tolerance schema, assembly ops, lifecycle qty.
Watch-outs: Resin lead times, UV/chemical resistance, warp on large flat parts, mold ownership clauses.
Pilot→Ramp tip: Lock T1/T2 with capability on A-surfaces; add cavity balance + Cpk≥1.33 on CTQs before multi-cavity ramp.
CTA: Get DFM + Tooling Plan
Wire Harness & Electromech (IPC/UL Ready)
What shifts well: appliance/industrial harnesses, automotive sub-harness, control boxes, battery leads.
Process norms: IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship, crimp-force monitoring, 100% continuity; UL-listed wires/connectors on request.
Tooling/fixtures: Applicators, strip/crimp dies, test jigs; cut-length tolerances; labeling/traceability.
Testing & Compliance: Hi-pot, pull-test, salt-spray (if exposed), RoHS/REACH declarations; PPAP where automotive.
RFQ essentials: Schematic + BOM with exact P/Ns (alternates allowed?), lengths & tolerances, sheathing (braid/sleeve/loom), labels/printing, test plan, packing method.
Watch-outs: Connector MOQs/lead times, counterfeit risk—spec approved vendors; routing bend radii & strain relief.
Pilot→Ramp tip: Approve a golden harness board; lock test fixture & label scheme before volume.
CTA: Upload BOM for Harness Quote
Packaging (Corrugated, Flexible, Labels, Rigid)
What shifts well: e-commerce shippers, retail cartons, pouches/laminates, PS/linerless labels, bottles/closures, eco options (bagasse/areca).
Process norms: Corrugated ECT/BCT/FCT targets; rotogravure/flexo print controls; pouch forming & seal strength; glass/plastic blow & injection for rigid.
Tooling: Dielines & cutting dies (flatbed/rotary), cylinders/plates for print, molds for caps/dispensers.
Finishing & QA: ISTA transit tests, seal/peel, OTR/WVTR for barriers, color approvals (LAB ΔE), migration tests for food-contact.
RFQ essentials: Dieline/CAD, GSM/flute & ply, laminate structure (e.g., PET/ALU/LLDPE), barrier targets, ink system & Pantone, compliance (FDA/EU 10/2011), order qty & kitting.
Watch-outs: Color consistency across SKUs, cylinder lead times, seasonal board moisture, adhesive compatibility.
Pilot→Ramp tip: Run BAT/color drawdowns + transit test on pilot lot; freeze specs before global roll-out.
CTA: Download RFQ Template (Packaging)
Textiles & Leather (Home, Apparel, Workwear, SLG/Footwear)
What shifts well: towels/bedsheets, knit basics, uniforms/scrubs, canvas/leather bags, small leather goods, safety shoes.
Process norms: Tech pack discipline; pre-production samples (PPS), TOP approvals; for leather—clicking/skiving/stitch SOPs.
Materials & Compliance: Oeko-Tex, GOTS/OCS/BCI options; nickel/azo/phthalates, REACH; Leather Working Group where available.
Finishing & QA: GSM/shrinkage/tear/tensile; colorfastness to wash/rub/light; needle policy & metal detection; fit/size sets.
RFQ essentials: Tech pack (measurements/grading), fabric composition & GSM/weave/finish, trims & placements, labeling/packaging, test standards, size curve & order qty.
Watch-outs: Shade variation & dye lot management, fabric lead times, monsoon drying buffers, leather batch variability.
Pilot→Ramp tip: Approve size set + PPS; run 5–10% pilot with AQL plan before full PO.
CTA: Share Tech Pack for Quote
How to use these playbooks
- Scan the category that matches your SKU.
- Grab the RFQ essentials list to prepare your brief.
- Post RFQ for a verified shortlist and quotes in 24–72 hours.
- Optional: run Benchmarks & Calculators for should-cost and landed-cost bands.
Inline links to keep: Benchmarks & Calculators • Transition Blueprint (Pilot→Ramp) • Quality & Compliance • India Cluster Map
Footer note (small): Ranges and norms are indicative and vary by spec, volume, and supplier capacity. Verified numbers are provided post-RFQ.
