First of all, we believe you need to work directly with the manufacturers!
Unlike most on-demand manufacturing platforms, where you deal with the middleman instead of your supplier, we offer a transparent route for you to speak to the suppliers directly from the very start of your project through to delivery and aftercare. Helping you to form long-term partnerships with manufacturers you can trust to make your components and products.
Here is a quick guide on how Drag, Drop, Source! actually works and when you are ready, start by uploading your drawings.
A wide range of manufacturing capabilities:
Manufacturing in almost any material:
I have used Qimtek sourcing service several times, using a Non Disclosure Agreement and I must say, it works very effectively and does the job on sensitive projects. It saves us a lot of time as Qimtek collect the signed NDA's before releasing the drawings to potential suppliers to quote. I'm pleased with the responses coming back, and will be awarding my projects to Qimteks Supplier Members. I would highly recommend using Qimtek sourcing service with or without the nda, it's been successful everytime
Design Engineer at Compak Ramps Ltd
"Qimtek offers a really good free service that keeps in touch with me when I need, and helps by sending information from possible suppliers, as well as finding additional suppliers (all within the UK) when my current supplier base can't manage the requirement. After having looked at similar services, the service offered by Qimtek is definitely the best in my opinion."
Buyer from Eskan Electronics Ltd
‘Working with Qimtek has been a very rewarding and beneficial partnership. We have managed to increase our supplier base significantly, which in turn, has enabled up to keep our customer’s lead times at a minimum. We started using Qimtek in 2017 and now worth of work with 10 different UK suppliers to date through the system. Using Qimtek means we no longer need to spend time researching and vetting suppliers - instead, we use this time to concentrate on other important tasks and I would definitely recommend using Qimtek.’
Buyer from Approved Hydraulics Ltd
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How does it work?
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Qimtek's sourcing service is designed to take the headache out of finding new engineering suppliers, making it a really simple way of sourcing for your subcontract projects. Simply upload your drawings using our online Drag, Drop, Source! service, or email them to sourcing@qimtek.co.uk. Our sourcing account managers will then review your drawings and ensure that we have all the information we need, before compiling your project and sending it to relevant suppliers. From there, suppliers will contact you directly with their quote. The relationship is always kept directly between the buyer and supplier - we simply put you in touch with subcontract suppliers who can assist, saving you the time and hassle of contacting multiple companies individually.
- Qimtek Vs On-Demand manufacturing platforms?
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Most, not all on-demand platforms can often be a middle man that will put a mark up on your components. They will usually sub contract your parts out to be manufactured. In most cases you will not get to speak with the manufacturers directly which can cause difficulties when discussing complex projects. Qimtek is totally different. We put you in direct contact from the start so you can chat, form a relationship and grow your supply chain with the added bonus of not receiving quotes with mark up on your components or additionall subscription charges for using our Drag, Drop, Source platform.
- Why is the sourcing service free?
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Qimtek is supplier-funded, meaning that there is absolutely no cost to use our sourcing service. Our supplier members pay a flat monthly subscription fee to receive and quote for projects - we never charge manufacturing buyers for finding them new suppliers, nor do we take commission from either side on projects that have been awarded to our members.
- My projects are sensitive...
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Not a problem! Qimtek is a closed network and our members are forbidden from sharing information with third parties by our terms & conditions. However, if you need a bit of extra security, we can attach a non-disclosure agreement to your project, which members will have to sign and return before gaining access to the drawings. We can accommodate your company's own non-disclosure agreement, or Qimtek has a standard NDA which can be used if you prefer.
- Do the quotes come directly back to us?
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Yes! Your contact details will appear on your project so that suppliers can submit their quotes to you directly. This allows you to get an impression of the suppliers firsthand before placing your business. We will also specify on the project how you prefer to be contacted, whether by email or telephone.
- My project is urgent, how quickly can we expect quotes?
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Most of the projects published through our network receive quotes the same day - however, this can vary depending on the process, material and approvals you require. Non-disclosure agreements can also slow the response rate slightly. We always recommend giving suppliers at least a week to quote so that you can thoroughly benchmark the responses you receive. If you decide to move forward with a supplier within that time, then no problem - you can simply close the project through your online account.