Amidst the wide world of sports, pickleball has emerged as an unlikely competitor. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, the number of pickleball enthusiasts grew by 159% over three years, reaching 8.9 million participants by 2022.
Now, athletic equipment companies are riding on the wave of popularity and profiting off the sport. But starting a pickleball company isn’t as simple as it may seem. The dynamic sport demands strategic decision-making from the get-go.
Factors like ensuring industry-level quality of equipment, vetting sourcing partners, and selecting the right manufacturing location are crucial areas to consider. So before diving headfirst into your new pickleball company, here are six essential manufacturing aspects to look into first:
1. Quality Is Non-Negotiable
Across the board, quality stands as the most important component of your pickleball venture. Equipment such as paddles, balls, and accessories must adhere to an industry standard. Otherwise, the durability of the equipment can be compromised, which can affect performance. Before signing with any potential manufacturer, make sure to do your research on their quality assurance processes.
In the same vein, one of the biggest mistakes business owners make is choosing a supplier with the cheapest quote. While in some cases, the more affordable option is best, a lower cost can mean a lower quality product. Some manufacturers will attempt to entice you with a cheaper price, but end up raising the price after a deposit is made.
Likewise, negotiating with suppliers to lower manufacturing costs can translate to lowering the product quality to match the prices. That’s why it’s wise not to take any risks. Finding a supplier with reasonable prices, a rigorous adherence to industry standards, and relevant certifications to show for it will prove to be your best bet.
2. Ensuring Sufficient Production Capacity
Just as the quality assurance of your supplier matters, so does their ability to sufficiently store and deliver their products. This might sound like it goes without saying, but many overlook the importance of understanding and assessing their manufacturing partners’s production capacity.
The right partner should be able to rise to any challenge to meet your evolving business requirements. Details like production volumes, lead times, and scalability should be discussed before making any formal agreement. Entering into a partnership that can’t handle your growing demands or promise to meet deadlines without hesitating could cost you key opportunities and undermine the trust of your customer base.
To prevent bottlenecks and minimize order delays, it’s crucial to establish clear production requirements from the start. The goal is to ensure that your manufacturing partner can manage your increasing demands without breaking a sweat.
3. Maintaining Cost Efficiency
The fiscal aspects of your business venture are likely at the forefront of your mind. But remember — cost efficiency does not equal compromised product quality. In your manufacturing vetting process, engage with partners that offer competitive pricing while simultaneously upholding your strict quality standards.
Just like any other market, the pickleball market is driven by cost-conscious consumers. No one wants to buy a product they can find for a more affordable price elsewhere. But in saying that, people can be swayed to pay more if the product quality is unbeatable.
In your pursuit of cost efficiency, start by analyzing every facet of the cost structure. Everything from raw materials and labor to overheads and logistics should be carefully scrutinized. By obtaining a comprehensive perspective on cost breakdowns and production expenses, you can better identify potential cost-saving opportunities and ensure the long-term success of your business.
4. Weighing Geographical Location and Shipping Logistics
The geographical location of your manufacturing operations will greatly affect your supply chain dynamics, which affects your overarching business strategy. This factor concerns more than just where your manufacturing partner’s facilities are located. It introduces complexities revolving around shipping logistics, customs regulations, and communication barriers.
For instance, if you choose to take your manufacturing operations overseas, it’s paramount to understand that different regions and countries have varying regulatory requirements for manufacturing and exporting goods. Failing to uphold those requirements can result in fines or even legal trouble.
Carefully weighing the location and logistics of your sourcing destination also directly impacts your supply chain efficiency. Choosing a local manufacturing partner offers proximity, which can streamline distribution processes. On the other hand, exploring international options may provide cost savings, but demands more careful supply chain management and resource allocation.
Additional aspects like language barriers, changing time zones, market adaptability, and environmental considerations are also relevant to exploring location and logistics options.
5. Safeguarding Intellectual Property
In the business world, safeguarding your intellectual property isn’t just about complying with a legal obligation — it’s imperative to ensuring the longevity and success of your company.
Intellectual property includes a range of assets, such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. These assets will serve as the core of your pickleball brand’s individual value — and your manufacturing partner should understand and respect that just as much as you do.
The right partner will have distinct standards in place to ensure your intellectual property is protected throughout the entire production process. In addition to complying with written legal agreements, ongoing monitoring is also crucial. This involves regularly assessing your partner’s commitment to protecting your intellectual property through a series of intermittent audits and checks.
The objective is to ensure that they are adhering to the previously agreed-upon security standards. Over time, your partner should become a trusted member in your efforts to safeguard your brand’s unique innovations and designs.
6. Effective Lines of Communication
The efficacy of communication between your company and your manufacturing partner has the potential to make or break your business. All the above points become void unless clear communication channels are established from the outset.
Your ideal partner should be direct and concise regarding order updates, quality assurance methods, and protocols for issue resolution. Responsiveness, transparency, and willingness to collaborate are key attributes of a trustworthy and reliable manufacturing partner.
Then, as your business grows and scales, you can rely on a solid manufacturing partnership to navigate the ever-increasing needs of your pickleball company.
