The first step to selecting the right fit vendor for your medical device project is to determine exactly what you need from your vendor. The next step — gather information on potential medical device vendors from the market to select the best vendor from the lot.
Doing this research will not only help you come up with a list of potential vendors that closely match your requirements but also help you:
- delve into the offerings, strengths, and areas of expertise of various vendors
- assess vendor credibility and reputation
- identify vendors on top of market trends and can offer cutting-edge solutions.
- choose vendors who demonstrate a proactive approach to risk management
- identify vendors with a strong understanding of relevant regulations, like FDA requirements or ISO certifications
- and so much more.
Recently we talked about establishing a networking tree to gather current industry feedback on medical device vendors. Here are 7 more ways to look for the perfect fit vendor for your medical device project.
The 7 easy ways to gather information on potential medical device vendors.
1. Gather Vendor Information From Industry Reports And Publications
Industry-specific reports, market research studies, and publications on medical devices often include vendor profiles highlighting key players in the medical device industry. These profiles provide an overview of a vendor’s:
- offers
- strengths and capabilities
- location data and market share
You can examine these profiles to identify vendors that match your project needs and gather details about their capabilities.
Industry specific blogs are also a great place to keep up with the latest and greatest in the medical device industry – including emerging medical device innovators, manufacturers and suppliers.
Examples of reputable sources include:
- Grand View Research
- Journal of medical devices
- MarketResearch.com.
- Medtech Innovation News
- MD+DI
- more
Here’s a screenshot from the MedTech blog🔽
These sources also provide valuable market data like industry analysis, future projections, market size, and technological advancements, which can help in fine-tuning the vendor selection process.
Another example of looking at an industry-specific publication for a medical device vendor would be using a polymers and plastics publication to look for a PTFE tube supplier for an endoscopic accessory.
2. Use Online Platforms And Directories For Medical Device Vendor Discovery
While offline directories have their place in vendor selection, the global nature of the medical device industry makes it a no-brainer to look for potential vendors in other regions. Enter online directories and platforms. An online platform or directory like MedTech Navigator, Medical Device Directory, and Thomasnet can offer:
- centralized hubs that connect buyers with medical device vendors
- extensive databases and detailed profiles of vendors from various sectors within the medical device industry
- a wide range of potential vendors that may meet your project requirements.
- advanced search filters that allow you to narrow down your search based on location, certifications, production capacity, and other specific requirements
- a chance to review the vendor’s reputation, customer satisfaction levels, and track record using customer reviews, ratings, testimonials, and case studies
- an option to contact and engage with them directly using the contact information provided in the vendor profiles
This streamlines the process of discovering and shortlisting potential medical device vendors that align with your project requirements.
3. Evaluate Medical Device Vendor Credibility And Reputation Through Online Reviews And Testimonials:
You can use websites like Glassdoor, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews to see current testimonials and feedback from their current and past clients.
These reviews(especially employee reviews on Glassdoor) can also be highly indicative of the kind of culture in the vendor company. Very important if culture fit is one of your selection criteria.
You can also ask around your network for the same. Analyze the overall sentiment, specific feedback, and ratings to gauge customer satisfaction levels.
Look for consistent positive feedback regarding product quality, customer support, and adherence to project timelines. Plus, any other criteria that you think are important for your project.
Here’s a Glassdoor review of Waddell Group for exceptional project management services🔽
4. Attend Trade Shows And Exhibitions For Some One On One Time:
Participating in industry-specific trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions allows you to gather insights and form an impression that only face-to-face communication can bring.
- You can engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of their products, services, and capabilities.
- Live product demonstrations also help you assess the quality, functionality, and potential fit for your medical device project.
- You can meet their clients (past and present) and get feedback on their professionalism, quality, and commitment.
- Industry fairs and trade shows are great places to tap into the collective brains and experiences of other industry professionals and gather valuable recommendations for potential vendors.
The bonus: You can discover newer market entrants with fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and competitive pricing. When you do, make sure you evaluate them for future collaborations.
Here’s a list of 5 such medical device trade shows that happen every year across the globe:
- Medica
- MD&M
- Arab Health
- BIOMEDevice
- MEDTEC China
Gather First-hand Insights By Engaging In Online Forums And Communities:
You can engage with industry experts and potential medical device vendors on platforms like LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities, and specialized forums. You can:
- ask for experiences with specific vendors
- gather first-hand industry insights
- seek recommendations
- ask for solutions to an issue you’re facing
Some popular medical device groups and communities are:
For LinkedIn:
- The Medical Device group
- Medical Device Sales And Marketing
- Medical Device Engineers
- Medical Device opportunity
For Reddit:
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Biologics and Everything Inbetween
5. Leverage Social Media For Building Vendor Relationships:
To leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, you can follow industry influencers, thought leaders, and medical device associations on said platforms. Engage with their content, participate in discussions, and stay updated with the latest news and trends. Just like online forums, these are great places to gain firsthand insights and seek recommendations. These platforms often feature vendor spotlights and announcements, providing additional vendor options.
6. Research Competitor’s Vendor Relationships:
By studying your competitor’s product documentation, websites, and promotional materials, you can discover common vendor partnerships and establish a list of reliable vendors with proven capabilities in your niche. Some ways to do that:
- Pay attention to logos, brand mentions, or specific language indicating the involvement of external vendors in the development or manufacturing process.
- Explore Competitors’ Websites and promotional materials to see if they have mentioned vendors or collaborators.
- Ask them! Sometimes they’ll be happy to share the details. Especially if you are not their direct competitor.
7. Work with Waddell Group
Leverage our existing network and market research capabilities to cut your Vendor Selection stress in half. Waddell Group has project managers experienced in selecting vendors for medical device companies and will support your team with finding and contracting your best choice.
Image by Freepik