10 Strategies for Successful Outsourcing Partnerships

1. Tap into manufacturers/peers: When Jim Morehead, Owner, Morehead Inc., Granville, OH, wanted to begin outsourcing zirconia restorations, he started by contacting zirconia manufacturers and asking for labs they would recommend. “Manufacturers are usually happy to share the names of labs who are using their products, especially when they’re producing high-quality work,” says Morehead. Additionally, relying on word-of-mouth feedback from your fellow lab owners is, as always, an effective strategy for finding a recommendation.

2. Due diligence: In addition to determining the potential outsourcing partner’s cost and turnaround time and confirming FDA registration and validated workflows (if applicable), make sure its product offerings and materials match your needs. In order to have complete transparency, Joe Young asks for a list of materials up front. “I want to know what they’re...