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Listen "Episode 011: Kitting & Bundling – When to Keep It In-House and When to Outsource"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of Find Your Source, Stephen breaks down one of the most overlooked—and most operationally complex—parts of product fulfillment: kitting and bundling. Whether you’re assembling e-commerce sets, promotional packs, or sub-assemblies for manufacturing, the big question remains: Should you do it in-house or outsource it?
Drawing from decades of supply chain and manufacturing experience, Stephen walks through how to make that decision strategically—balancing control, cost, speed, and scalability. He also shares a comprehensive checklist used by top-performing companies to evaluate outsourcing partners and maintain operational excellence.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
How to decide whether in-house or outsourced kitting makes sense for your operation
What factors truly impact cost, quality, and lead time
The 10-point checklist for outsourcing success:
Define scope clearly — packaging specs, ownership, and process flow
Vet your partner — capabilities, certifications, stability, and references
Maintain data control — traceability, dashboards, and reconciliation
Set quality standards — QA checklists, sample approval, and defect thresholds
Communicate consistently — weekly cadence calls and escalation paths
Structure contracts wisely — transparent pricing, SLAs, and exit terms
Optimize logistics — co-location, cross-docking, and replenishment cadence
Ensure compliance and security — NDAs, insurance, and business continuity
Track and improve — KPIs, CAPA reviews, and quarterly performance meetings
Plan for scale — modular setups, redundancy, and multi-site flexibility
Stephen emphasizes that successful outsourcing isn’t about giving up control—it’s about creating systems that maintain it, even when you’re not the one assembling every box.
📬 Ready to refine your operation?
Visit the “Work With Me” tab at findyoursource.pro to connect with Stephen for help auditing your fulfillment process, selecting kitting partners, or setting up in-house workflows that scale.
Drawing from decades of supply chain and manufacturing experience, Stephen walks through how to make that decision strategically—balancing control, cost, speed, and scalability. He also shares a comprehensive checklist used by top-performing companies to evaluate outsourcing partners and maintain operational excellence.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
How to decide whether in-house or outsourced kitting makes sense for your operation
What factors truly impact cost, quality, and lead time
The 10-point checklist for outsourcing success:
Define scope clearly — packaging specs, ownership, and process flow
Vet your partner — capabilities, certifications, stability, and references
Maintain data control — traceability, dashboards, and reconciliation
Set quality standards — QA checklists, sample approval, and defect thresholds
Communicate consistently — weekly cadence calls and escalation paths
Structure contracts wisely — transparent pricing, SLAs, and exit terms
Optimize logistics — co-location, cross-docking, and replenishment cadence
Ensure compliance and security — NDAs, insurance, and business continuity
Track and improve — KPIs, CAPA reviews, and quarterly performance meetings
Plan for scale — modular setups, redundancy, and multi-site flexibility
Stephen emphasizes that successful outsourcing isn’t about giving up control—it’s about creating systems that maintain it, even when you’re not the one assembling every box.
📬 Ready to refine your operation?
Visit the “Work With Me” tab at findyoursource.pro to connect with Stephen for help auditing your fulfillment process, selecting kitting partners, or setting up in-house workflows that scale.
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