Capabilities and Qualities to Look for in a Heater Manufacturer

How OEMs Can Identify a Valuable Ally for Heating Solutions

When original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in industries such as plastics packaging, rubber and plastics, aerospace, food and beverage, medical, and healthcare seek a heater manufacturer, they should evaluate several key capabilities and qualities. These aspects ensure that the heater manufacturer will meet their specific needs, adhere to industry standards, and ultimately provide reliable heating solutions. In this blog, we offer a comprehensive list of the capabilities and qualities to look for.

Industry Expertise

• Specialization: The manufacturer should have specific experience in the relevant industry, understanding the unique heating requirements and regulations.
• Technological Competence: Look for a company that employs advanced technologies in heater design and manufacturing to ensure efficient and reliable products.
   

Product Range and Customization

• Diverse Product Offerings: The manufacturer should provide a comprehensive range of heating solutions, including silicone heaters, mica heaters (strip and band), cartridge heaters, and more. They should help you understand the specific applications and benefits of the various types of heaters used across diverse industries and how they contribute to the efficiency and quality of production.
• Customization Capabilities: Ability to design and manufacture customized heating solutions that meet precise dimensions, wattage requirements, and application specifications.

Quality Assurance

• Quality Control Systems: Implement stringent quality assurance protocols throughout the manufacturing process to ensure product consistency and reliability. Applying an advanced quality planning (AQP) lens focused on all protocols allows a heater manufacturer to be nimble, congruent, and efficient with processes and production. This allows the manufacturer and customers to benefit from this lean, lessons-learned perspective for each new-or existing-project that is successfully executed.

Performance and Reliability

• High-Temperature Capabilities: The ability to offer heaters that can operate at high temperatures without losing performance or compromising safety.
• Durability: Heaters should be designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and prolonged use without degradation.

Efficiency and Energy Savings

• Energy-Efficient Designs: Look for manufacturers that develop heaters with energy-saving features, such as quick heat-up times and minimized heat loss to enhance overall efficiency.
• Performance Metrics: The manufacturer should provide data on efficiency and performance that demonstrates the cost savings potential for OEMs.

Technological Innovation

• R&D Commitment: A strong focus on research and development indicates that the manufacturer is consistently improving products and adapting to market changes.

Customer Support and Technical Assistance

• Responsive Customer Service: A dedicated support team that is readily available for inquiries, troubleshooting, and product advice.
• Technical Expertise: Access to engineers and technicians that can assist with installation, maintenance, and any customization needs. Engineers have direct access to Backer Marathon’s trained technical experts who have been pioneers in this sector for decades.

Lead Times and Production Capacity

• Quick Turnaround: The manufacturer should provide efficient production schedules, ensuring timely delivery to meet the OEM’s deadlines. In today’s lead time and just-in-time environments, manufacturers must be able to balance having enough components on hand to prevent service and delivery disruptions, while at the same time not incurring the costs of excess inventory. The lead times of vendors and suppliers must also be factored in. Many opt for suppliers who can deliver products with a reasonable and reliable lead time, as well as those who can offer expedites for unplanned, unexpected issues. Backer Marathon’s nine-day lead time positions us at the forefront of the heating and sensor industry—a strong production and delivery commitment we consistently uphold. Read more about our nine-day lead time here.  
• Scalability: Ability to handle both small batch sizes and large-scale orders, providing flexibility based on the OEM’s production needs.

Cost-Effectiveness

• Competitive Pricing: While not the only criterion, competitive pricing without compromising quality is essential for OEMs to maintain their margins.
• Volume Discounts: Programs that offer discounts for bulk orders can be beneficial for long-term partnerships with OEMs. Finding a reliable heating element manufacturer that can supply one piece or one thousand for EOMs is rare, and Backer Marathon is committed to providing you with exactly what you need when you need it. 

Sustainability

• Eco-Friendly Practices: A commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and materials can be a significant consideration for OEMs seeking to improve their sustainability profiles.
• Recyclability: Ability to provide heaters made from recyclable or sustainable materials aligns with many OEMs’ goals for sustainability.

Proven Track Record

• Successful Partnerships: Demonstrated history of successfully partnering with companies within the same industries as the OEM can indicate reliability and expertise.
• Customer Testimonials: Positive feedback from other OEMs about the performance and quality of the manufacturer’s heating solutions can bolster trust. 
  
  

Other Important Considerations 

• U.S. Manufacturer

Risk reduction is often part of the decision process in choosing a manufacturer. This includes assurance of a timely resupply of heaters in days, not months. Using a U.S.-based manufacturers avoids complications that can arise from international shipments, and often reduces transportation and shipping costs. For many companies, the most significant deciding factor is the rigorous level of compliance and safety regulations U.S. manufacturers must follow. 

• Private Label

Private labelling can help your organization in several ways. First, you can assign part numbers to correspond to a particular die, machine, or mold. This helps staff members when pulling a work order to know the correct heating elements to select, which reduces errors. From a distribution or OEM aftermarket perspective, private labelling is a means of protecting your designs and ensuring the return demands and requests come back to your organization. 

• Prototyping

When developing a new overall process, team often encounter changes that must be made. The goal is to find issues as early in the process as possible and make adjustments before production. Backer Marathon has a robust design and engineering team that is focused in this area. Prior to making a larger batch, we can provide samples, or even a few versions of a heater. This allows ample review and evaluation prior to making the larger overall investment. 

Choosing the right heater manufacturer is critical for OEMs across diverse industries such as plastics packaging, rubber and plastics, aerospace, food and beverage, medical, and healthcare. By considering these capabilities and qualities, OEMs can ensure they partner with a manufacturer that not only meets stringent requirements but also acts as a valuable ally in enhancing their production processes and overall product reliability. The right heating solutions can lead to improved efficiency, enhanced product quality, and ultimately more successful outcomes for manufacturers in these competitive sectors. 

Why Backer Marathon

Backer Marathon is the industry leader in production speed, and reliable, quality heaters for plastics and packaging, serving OEMs with durable, customized solutions for unique heating needs since 1996. We design, manufacture, and stock industrial-grade heating elements and temperature sensors. Engineers have live, on-demand access via phone to our trained technical experts who have been pioneers in this sector for decades.

How can Backer Marathon’s experts help you today? Nosotros hablamos español. Contact us today to discuss your next project.