Getting the timing right. Consider the process when choosing an inflatable supplier

How to purchase a well-made inflatable part 8 - Welcome to Part 8 of our 8 part blog series that focuses what to consider when choosing your inflatable products supplier.

Introduction

There are various important stages throughout the process of appointing your inflatables supplier. It begins at the initial contact and ends with actually receiving your product and beyond.  Once you have communicated your ideas, agreed on their interpretation, vetted their ability to deliver on their promise and appointed your supplier, you need to keep in mind the timing.

A supplier that is transparent and with mature systems will always include the following steps.

1. Project brief

2. Scope of supply and timing

3. Concept design

4. Final pre-production detailing

5. Production

6. Quality control and certification

7. Delivery and handover and documentation

Each step in the chain, after appointing your supplier to build your inflatable will require a response from you. At the outset you need to be aware that as a client you also have a responsibility to maintain the momentum and need to be aware of what time you need to effect the required response. It is fundamental that you communicate your timing requirements upfront.

Design Process

The design of your inflatable product is the first step after your agreement to the budget and terms of supply. This is a consultative process which ultimately allows your supplier to show you how they interpret your ideas. To ensure you understand and can visualize their interpretation the concept presentation should always include a description with size, weight and other important specification and 3D representations of the inflatable they intend to produce.

The timing for this process is really dependent on how well you communicate your needs and how well your supplier translates that into design.  It needs to be understood that these design processes, including your feedback and response may take time. Once you have signed off on the Concept Design, which includes colour palettes, logos and all material, size, weight and dimension specifications, the process is really out of your hands and will move  into the Manufacturing Process.

Manufacturing and Production Process

Most Manufacturing Processes take between 4 to 6 weeks, so bear that in mind when you begin your Design Process to ensure you sign off the Design Process in time to allow for the time necessary for Manufacture.  

  

The production process that ensures a successful outcome include:-

* Pre-production design and engineering

           *  Material procurement

           * In factory production and art work.

           * Quality control checks at each station

           * Post production testing

           * Certification and quality control checks

           * Packaging and delivery

Testing and Certification Phase

After the actual assembly operation of the inflatable is completed it may then be required to go for art work. This stage may take a few days as it will include a drying time. It is then necessary to put it through checking and testing.

Quality Control and Testing Phase.   

This critical phase should be regarded as your insurance.  Well-developed checking systems will ensure that the production team made it according to design and actually works as intended. This phase can take 2 to 3 days . It’s also the stage where the final check is done to ensure it looks exactly as agreed. Here the colours and logos should be checked as well as their placement. Once that stage of the production process is over then the unit will be checked by an engineer and certified compliant with standards for operation.

You may need to factor in the time it may take you to acquire the necessary council or stadium permissions for using an inflatable at a venue.  These permissions are usually acquired by submitting your Operational Certificate and Certificate of Build Compliance. 

The final stage of this phase is the Packing stage. This is an important step as it needs to be packed in a manner that is conducive to delivery, unpacking and repacking after use in a manner that is protective and simple.

Delivery Phase

The time it takes for delivery is dependent on where the delivery takes place.  It can take anywhere from 2 to 7 working days. 

Shortcuts to Timing

In the event that you begin the process too late to allow for all the stages to follow their natural timing, or if you or your client decide on changes and delay the sign off or if there are manufacturing complications, a reliable supplier will make it  possible to compress some of the steps.  But an astute client needs to be aware that this amendment to tried and tested systems could lead to a compromise in quality. .The manufacturing process can, if you have a flexible inflatable supplier and the factory capacity allows, be shifted to an express production stream. The express production  stream may cost extra but can often speed up completion to around 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively the testing phase can be short circuited.  But again, there will always be some compromise o

n price or quality

Conclusion

We hope that this series has been helpful to you and will guide you through your process of purchasing your next Inflatable that will turn your event into a memorable, experiential and unique function that will create an emotional brand alignment to your organisation or that of your client.