Why USA Companies are Seeking Canadian Product Design Firms

In our product design firm we see this every day: more US customers inquiring about our services. We are in Canada, why don’t they source locally? Why not find a product design firm that is right around the corner from where they work or live? There are a lot of factors behind this new trend.

Communication technology: the number one influencing factor.

Today video calls and conferencing services are available for free. We have Skype, Google Hangouts, Vsee, UberConference, GoToMeeting, Webex, Voca, Viber, ooVoo, Voxox, Jitsi, and Facetime, just to name a few. Communication in today’s world is not the same as it used to be. In the past, people would get together in an office to talk about design details or discuss changes to a design. Today we share a computer screen live and, voila, it’s like being in the same room.

During the product design process, face-to-face meetings are not necessary. At the beginning of the process, email exchanges are required to sign an NDA and from there, scans of the initial concepts are sent back and forth.

As the process continues, proposals, renderings, mechanical drawings, and patents are all emailed back and forth via regular email or file transfers for larger sizes. If something has to be discussed in detail regarding a 3D model or a technical drawing, we hop on a video chat and share the screen so the client can see and discuss what the designer or engineer has to change, or to make changes on the spot with the client present.

Shipping services are more efficient than ever before.

Once designs are approved and it’s time to move forward with a 3D print or a prototype, it’s easier than ever to get things delivered. A prototype can be shipped quickly to the client who will receive it within days.

Shipping is a major part of the product development process. Initial production parts are usually shipped back and forth from China or anywhere around the world with ease, so the distance between the US and our Canadian product design firm is not as relevant as it once was.

Canadian Dollar vs US dollar.

With the economy and current exchange rates, inventors are looking for more economical ways to develop their products. When a US inventor, startup, or company goes to Canada for product design support, they automatically get a 30% discount. This changes as the economy fluctuates, of course, but today this is a definite incentive for small startups and even large corporations.

So, if you are a startup, inventor, company, or corporation located in the US, give us a call here in Canada! You will save money, which is crucial when you have a new idea or invention. You’ll also get the expertise you need to complete your dream of developing a product and taking it to market!