The plastic injection moulding market is expected to reach $423.8 billion in value by 2030, which represents a steady growth rate of 3.6% a year.
As companies increasingly recognise that 70% to 80% of all manufactured products are now outsourced, subcontract plastic injection moulding has evolved from a cost-saving measure to a strategic necessity for maintaining agility.
For OEMs, product designers and manufacturers seeking competitive advantage, partnering with specialist providers offers access to advanced capabilities without the substantial capital investment.
What subcontract plastic injection moulding means
Subcontract plastic injection moulding involves partnering with specialist manufacturers to produce plastic components rather than handling the production in-house. This arrangement allows businesses to leverage external expertise, advanced equipment and established production capabilities without the substantial capital investment required to set up such operations.
Outsourced plastic injection moulding serves a diverse range of clients, from established OEMs requiring additional capacity during peak demand periods to innovative startups developing their first commercial products.
Meanwhile, product designers frequently turn to plastic injection moulders in the UK when transitioning from prototype to production, while established manufacturers often seek contract manufacturing expertise to supplement existing capabilities or access specialised technologies.
Key benefits of subcontracting injection moulding
Partnering with specialist plastic injection moulders can deliver measurable advantages across multiple operational areas, from immediate cost reductions to enhanced production capabilities.
Cost savings
Subcontract plastic injection moulding eliminates the need for substantial capital expenditure on machinery, tooling and facility infrastructure. Rather than investing millions in injection moulding equipment that may only be utilised periodically, contract manufacturing in the UK provides businesses with access to world-class capabilities on a project basis.
The economies of scale achieved by specialist plastic injection moulders can result in lower per-unit costs, particularly for medium to high-volume production runs. This is because providers can negotiate better rates for raw materials, maintain optimised production schedules and spread fixed costs across multiple clients.
Faster turnaround
Outsourcing enables businesses to respond rapidly to market opportunities. Experienced plastic injection moulding subcontractors maintain dedicated production lines, established supplier relationships and streamlined workflows that can significantly reduce lead times compared to establishing in-house capabilities.
For businesses operating in fast-moving sectors such as electronics or consumer goods, this speed advantage can mean the difference between capturing market share and missing critical launch windows.
Access to expertise and equipment
Modern injection moulding requires sophisticated technical knowledge spanning materials science, process optimisation and quality control. Specialist plastic injection moulders in the UK possess deep expertise developed through years of serving diverse industries, from automotive to medical device manufacturing.
This knowledge extends beyond basic production. Indeed, design advice, material selection guidance and process optimisation recommendations are typical examples of added value that can improve both product quality and cost-effectiveness.
Reduced in-house overhead
For product-driven firms, maintaining in-house manufacturing capabilities requires ongoing investment in personnel, training, maintenance and facility management, which can amount to substantial overheads.
Outsource plastic injection moulding arrangements transfer these operational responsibilities to specialist providers – this allows businesses to focus resources on core competencies such as product development, marketing and customer relationships.
When to consider a subcontract plastic injection moulder
So, when might a company consider outsourcing plastic injection moulding operations?
There are several common scenarios which make subcontracting particularly advantageous for businesses seeking to optimise their manufacturing processes.
Capacity overflow: Even businesses with established manufacturing capabilities may encounter periods where demand exceeds internal capacity. Rather than investing in additional equipment that may remain underutilised during normal periods, partnering with a plastic injection moulding subcontractor provides flexible capacity that can scale with demand fluctuations.
Lack of tooling or machinery: The capital requirements for injection moulding equipment can be prohibitive, particularly for businesses exploring new markets or product categories. Specialist moulder partnerships provide access to state-of-the-art machinery without the associated capital commitment – this enables firms to test market viability before committing to internal infrastructure.
Tight project deadlines: When project timelines are compressed, leveraging existing manufacturing capabilities becomes essential. Established plastic injection moulders can mobilise resources quickly by utilising existing relationships with toolmakers and material suppliers to compress traditional lead times.
Scaling up production: Transitioning from prototype to full-scale production presents unique challenges that experienced contract manufacturing partners routinely navigate. Their established processes, quality systems and supply chain relationships can help to smooth this transition while adhering to product quality and cost targets.
What to look for in a UK-based plastic injection moulder
When evaluating potential partners, it is important to prioritise providers with comprehensive quality certifications such as ISO 9001 and industry-specific standards relevant to your sector. Lead times should be realistic and backed by proven track records, and material capabilities should encompass both standard and specialised polymers required for your applications.
Technical support capabilities, from design consultation through to post-production support, often distinguish the best providers from basic manufacturing services. In addition, consider the geographical proximity for improved communication and logistics efficiency.
How OGM support subcontract manufacturing
With almost 60 years of experience serving the industrial, electronics, utilities and medical sectors, OGM has developed comprehensive capabilities that address the full spectrum of OEM plastic parts production requirements. Our Oxford and Wales facilities house advanced injection moulding systems from leading manufacturers such as Krauss Maffei and Arburg, which enables production to span from small precision components to large-scale mouldings.
Our service portfolio encompasses the complete product development cycle, from initial concept and tooling design through prototyping, production, assembly, testing and delivery. Specialised capabilities include over-moulding, insert moulding, cleanroom production and multi-shot injection moulding technologies that address complex application requirements.
Quality control systems, advanced automation and dedicated project management ensure consistent results whilst maintaining competitive pricing and reduced lead times. Meanwhile, our investment in hybrid metal additive technology enables rapid tooling production, with in-house assembly and packaging services reducing supply chain complexity for our clients.
As the plastic injection moulding market continues its robust growth, businesses that leverage specialist subcontracting partnerships gain significant competitive advantages.
Are you ready to explore how subcontract manufacturing could streamline your production processes? Contact our team for a consultation to discuss your specific requirements and discover how our comprehensive injection moulding services can support your business objectives.