Find a Manufacturer with the MFG Database Platform
If your business sells or manufactures physical products, you will probably need to find a supplier to produce those items in entirety or to handle specific operations that your company cannot. Either way, the task of finding a manufacturer that will be an ideal partner and consistently meet your deadlines and quality standards can be challenging.
While initially the quest for finding the right manufacturer may have seemed like trying to find that proverbial needle in a haystack, the process is much more straightforward at MFG.com. Trusted by leading businesses worldwide, this platform makes it possible for buyers of custom parts and custom parts manufacturers to find and work with one another.
A global online marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers in the manufacturing industry, the MFG platform has over 14,000 registered buyers and suppliers, making it an excellent and essential resource for manufacturers looking to expand their customer base. In this blog post, we will discuss how to search for manufacturers on MFG.com and find suitable suppliers for your manufacturing needs.
Follow our 5-step approach to find manufacturers meeting all the benchmarks for a productive collaboration.
Step 1: Create Your Free Account
The first step to finding manufacturers on MFG.com is to register on the platform. Whether you’re a buyer or a manufacturer, establishing your free account is quick and easy—providing you with access to thousands of manufacturers, plus a wealth of features and functionalities, including:
- MFG Orders – Manage your manufacturing projects efficiently with MFG Orders. This feature includes tools like Parts Tracking, allowing you to stay updated on the status of your custom parts. You can also create purchase orders directly within the platform, eliminating the need for back-and-forth communications outside of MFG.
- MFG Transactions – Send invoices and receive payments easily within the MFG platform. This feature streamlines the process for buyers and manufacturers, ensuring secure transactions.
- Enhanced Security – MFG integrates with trusted ERPs like Quickbooks, and is powered by Stripe, instilling confidence in the buyer that their payment is secure and protected.
- Improved Collaboration – Communicate with manufacturers directly through the platform. Send messages, request quotes, and ask questions about their capabilities and processes. The order management tools facilitate efficient project oversight and communication.
Registering for your free account is a fundamental step toward a successful supplier search, paving the way for you to discover the right manufacturers and suppliers for your specific project.
Step 2: Start Your Manufacturer Search
To find a supplier on MFG.com, click on the “Search for Manufacturers” button on the homepage. This action will direct you to the Manufacturer Directory page where you can search based on criteria like manufacturing location, specific capabilities, and keywords.
For example, buyers can quickly access suppliers about services like:
- CNC Machining – MFG manufacturers offer vital services in CNC machining for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, and tool and die/mold making, where automation and precise manufacturing capabilities are crucial for high-quality production.
- 3D Printing – Many customers engaged in applications for aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods rely on the MFG platform to find 3D printing companies—helping them increase efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock innovative manufacturing and production solutions.
- Injection Molding – Buyers turn to MFG manufacturers for expertise in injection molding for many industrial applications, offering exceptional productivity, high-quality production, and the ability to create complex and customized parts.
- Metal Stamping – MFG manufacturers provide many different types of metal stamping techniques, like blanking, bending, piercing, and forming, offering versatility in creating parts with complex geometries, and for high-volume production with stringent specifications.
- Metal Fabrication – Many buyers seek out suppliers at MFG for metal fabrication services, including cutting, folding, welding, machining, punching, and stamping. Metal fabrication offers parts that can withstand extreme conditions, meet stringent safety standards, and ensure precise functionality.
You can find many other manufacturing-related services on MFG too. Our platform primarily showcases capabilities in plastic, metal, and rubberized parts, but a few woodworking services are also available.
Step 3: Refine Your Search
After entering your search criteria, you will see a list of manufacturers matching your requirements. Now you can refine your search by using the filters on the left-hand side of the page. These filters allow you to narrow your search results based on a specific location, capability, company rating, and material.
As an example, certifications are a very common search as many buyers must be certain that the manufacturers they work with have specific credentials. The MFG directory allows you to search and filter manufacturers based on certifications that align with their project requirements. Whether you need ISO certifications, ITAR compliance, NADCAP accreditation, or other industry-specific designations, MFG makes it easy for you to find manufacturers with the necessary certifications.
MFG provides robust search and filtering capabilities to streamline your search process, saving you time and effort in finding the perfect manufacturing match for your business.
Step 4: Review Manufacturer Profiles
Once you have refined your search, you can review the manufacturer profiles matching your requirements by clicking the “View More Details” button. These profiles provide insights into the manufacturer’s capabilities, recent jobs they quoted, facility details, employee count, certifications, production capacity, and other essential information. You can also read reviews from other buyers who have worked with the manufacturer and see photos of recently completed work or the interior of their shop.
You can access the company’s website from this page, find contact information, or send a direct message. This is also the page where the Request for Quote (RFQ) process begins.
Step 5: Contact Manufacturers
Once you identify the manufacturer that meets your requirements, you can contact them directly through the platform. The platform allows you to send messages to manufacturers, request quotes, and ask questions about their capabilities and processes. You can also use the platform’s order management tools to oversee your project and communicate with the manufacturer.
Buyers conduct business directly on the platform. They communicate with their contacts, create or upload purchase orders, view part tracking throughout the manufacturing process, and more conveniently and efficiently. If you want a custom part manufactured, submitting a Request for Quote (RFQ) is the best way to get manufacturer information. Once buyers offer their project details, they start receiving quotes from manufacturers worldwide or within specific areas.
Buyers using the MFG platform typically receive an average of four quotes from US manufacturers. With a Premium membership, manufacturers have the opportunity to respond to RFQs and submit their proposals. It’s also worth noting that clients of MFG.com have access to the MFG Community. On this social platform, they can engage directly with thousands of other MFG users and reach out to MFG employees on manufacturing topics. They can also post in forums, sell on classifieds, post jobs, and more!
MFG.com is an invaluable resource for manufacturers looking to expand their customer base and find new business opportunities. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, buyers can effectively search for manufacturers on the platform and find suppliers for their manufacturing needs. Whether you’re in need of a supplier, a contract manufacturer, or a manufacturing partner, MFG.com is here to assist you in finding the right match.
