Outsourced Manufacturing and Trade Secrets: Due Diligence (Part 5)
Perhaps the single most important part of outsourced manufacturing is to select a trustworthy partner. A company should not enter into any transaction unless it has a good basis to believe that the manufacturer will be an acceptable partner. This requires rigorous due diligence, including:
- Background checks of the manufacturer’s principal officers, directors, and key personnel.
- Audits of the manufacturer’s financial statements.
- Inspections of the manufacturer’s facilities.
- Investigations of the manufacturer’s supply chain and trading partners.
