OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. In the dental instrument industry, OEM manufacturing means a manufacturer produces instruments to another company’s specifications, and that company sells them under its own brand.
Who uses OEM manufacturing?
- Dental supply distributors building their own product lines.
- Brands that design instruments but do not manufacture.
- Dental schools and hospital groups wanting custom instruments.
- Specialists with unique instrument designs.
OEM vs private label
| OEM | Private label | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Your specifications or modifications | Manufacturer’s existing designs |
| Branding | Your brand | Your brand |
| Development time | Longer | Shorter |
| Best for | Unique products | Launching a range quickly |
The OEM process
- Specification — drawings, samples or descriptions of the instrument.
- Prototyping — samples are made for evaluation.
- Approval — you test and approve the samples.
- Branding — logos and markings are agreed.
- Production — manufacturing in agreed quantities.
- Quality control and delivery.
What to look for in an OEM partner
- Manufacturing experience and quality control.
- Willingness to produce samples.
- Clear communication and lead times.
- Confidentiality for your designs.
- Support with packaging and labelling.
Aurix International offers OEM manufacturing for distributors and brands. Learn more about OEM and private label or contact us.
