The race to market for a new product can be like a relay race, where each part of the project team puts in a timely burst of energy, passing the baton on between R&D, production, suppliers and commercial departments, and the final sprint across the finishing line sees the product on the market ahead of the competition.
However things rarely go this well, and examples of delayed product launches are the norm, sometimes hitting the headlines as the cost of delay runs into millions of dollars - in some cases over a million dollars per day.
So what causes product launches to be delayed? In the experience of PA's manufacturing experts, the reason is usually inadequate manufacturing process scale-up - prompted by some of the following issues:
- mismanagement of technical risk
- optimistic expectations of third party suppliers’ and manufacturers’ ability
- failure to anticipate all the necessary tasks and resources
- ineffective management of the project through its many different stages.
These causes can often be traced back to the company or the team having inadequate or infrequent experience of product launch – very common in start-up or small companies.
PA's wealth of experience in process development and process competence means that clients regularly invite us to help them achieve rapid manufacturing process scale-up and product launch - on time and within budget.
For more information telephone +44 1763 267492 or email innovation@paconsulting.com
