At Reata Engineering, our focus on customer experience heavily influences our quoting process for contract manufacturing customers.
We rely on a combination of old-fashioned listening and cutting-edge quoting software to ensure our customers receive excellent service right from the beginning.
The quoting software’s costing table breakdown allows us to micro-manage our quotes so that we can include real-time market pricing and provide insight into each line item. This critical context helps us get customers the best price possible for their parts.
Here are five specific ways our precision machine shop’s comprehensive quoting process benefits contract manufacturing customers.
1. Detailed Quote Breakdowns
To provide the most accurate and competitive quotes, we consider how various factors impact overall project costs:
- Real-time market pricing for raw materials
- Inside processing
- Outside processing
- Purchased components
- Manufactured components
2. Insight into Current Costs
Our quote breakdowns enable us to provide insight into each individual cost, which is extremely valuable during pricing conversations. For example, we can easily pinpoint and explain why a particular cost appears higher than it did previously and have an informed conversation with customers.
In some cases, we will adjust the margin for costs that aren’t set in stone, like materials and outside services, to reach what we believe is the most accurate price.
3. Opportunities to Reduce Costs
If the quoted cost is still higher than a customer’s budget, we can make recommendations to help bring the cost down.
For example, we might suggest a less expensive material or plating for a part if we’re confident the modification won’t impact the part’s quality. Or we might recommend a slightly rougher surface finish, depending on the part’s final application.
4. Speed and Efficiency
Our quoting process is highly automated, which helps us ensure that customers quickly receive accurate and reliable pricing information.
Leveraging automation for administrative tasks gives our team more time to commit to higher-level problem-solving for customers.
5. Consistency and Reliability
Reata has worked diligently to cultivate a culture and reputation of exceptional customer service. Providing customers with detailed quotes helps further establish our role as reliable and consistent partners who instill confidence in our customers.
We believe offering insights into quotes and advising customers on how to optimize their designs for faster and more cost-effective manufacturing sets the stage for an excellent partnership.
Reata isn’t just another precision machine shop—we’re a critical component of your company’s production process. And we take immense pride in that role.
If you’re looking for a contract manufacturing shop that will treat you with respect, starting with the quoting process, request a quote today.