No samples,No drawings. How do I help a customer realize from idea to a product he wanted?(for test)

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Germany customer Ilj，the originator of Aluminum Key Box， (Customer Number is TA004) is one of our long-term regular customers who has cooperated with LML for more than 3 years.

Our company LML has successfully assisted Ilya to invent and produce the Aluminum Key Box through thick and thin. At the beginning of 2016, he sent us the enquiry to consult the aluminum key box which similarly looked like the electronic cigarette box. The key question was that the aluminum key box was not so popular in the world at that time, so we had never seen or done it before. At first, Ilya only had an initial idea about the aluminum key box. He had no ideas about the process of producing and drawing. Even he wasn’t good at English, which made it difficult to describe and explain his thoughts about the aluminum key box to our engineers. As a result, our workers and Ilya usually met with some troubles in communicating about the designs of the aluminum key box. Sunny, the freshman sale, who was responsible for this enquiry had made great efforts in the process of negotiating with Ilya. Sometimes we bogged down and didn’t know how to do proceed to the next step in the beginning. Our salesgirl often had to find the similar box and draw the pictures in order to solve one problem. Otherwise, it constantly took several hours or even a whole afternoon to discuss a slightly more complicated problem and we reached an agreement at last.

Since the customer didn’t provide anything such as the drawings, the samples and the clear ideas about the aluminum key box, our salesgirl held the little expectation under this terrible situation. However, we also tried our best to satisfy Ilya’s requirements. According to our experience, our team guided step by step, modified step by step, and then confirmed step by step to the customer. Finally, our engineers finished the engineering drawing according to the customer’s primary manuscript. Continually we confirmed again and again with the customer about whether the size was reasonable and the processing was feasible or not. After modifying more than 5 times, all the sizes were made sure to be perfect after completing drawing according to our abundant and professional experience. The aluminum key box was mainly made up of the body and lid.

After confirming the size of the aluminum key box, we took up choosing the material and surface finishing of the aluminum key box which were essential in the process. The aluminum was sure to be used as the material but he didn’t know more about its grade. The surface should be similar to the Macintosh’s surface as he said. With the guidance of our engineers, we found the material of Al6061 or Al6063 were suitable which were most commonly used for CNC machining parts and were close to the Macintosh’s surface. As a company specializing in this industry for more than 20 years,we fully knew what type and size of sandblasting could reach his standard . Continually, we showed our customer some pictures about the surface finishing of the aluminum key box to choose, which is the professional and fast method. Ilya praised us and expressed satisfaction for our service. Actually, it was difficult to put these simple theories into practice. After the communication, confirmation and modification about the aluminum key box for three months, we began to make samples. Unfortunately, we encountered another problem in the process. Ordinary tools couldn’t be used to make product because the aluminum key box is too deep. So we fabricated the special tools 15 days later. And then the first 5pcs rough embryos were made and sandblasted for three times to confirm the samples since sandblasting type and size are not 100% sure.

Next, we began to anodize these samples, which was also not very smooth. We found that the hanging point of anodizing was very large with white spots, water stains and scratches, all of which made the surface look bad. After discussing the detailed requirements with the anodizing factory, we conducted anodizing again. The anodizing effect was much better this time, and the surface problems had been improved. 2 out of 5pcs were carefully selected and sent to the customer by the fastest DHL delivery. 

 

Three days later, the customer received the samples of the aluminum key box and there was nothing wrong with its appearance except the body and lid which couldn’t close tightly. The customer checked it by holding the lid and shaking it gently and the box body couldn’t drop slowly, which was a technical difficulty and required very precise tolerance to control. At the same time, he demanded to cover smoothly and easily, which required the cover of the aluminum key box couldn’t scratch the box body and also couldn't be too tight to open. In a word, a most suitable tolerance were required between the box body and lid. Therefore, the manager of our engineering department personally adjusted the machine again and again and made another 10 sets of samples. At last, the most suitable samples were tried successfully and sent to our customer for confirmation by debugging for 5 times. Next day, he suddenly wanted to make the logo on the surface, but he still had no ideas about its type, shape, color or others. So we discussed and gave him new samples and silk-screen logos with white and sliver colors for him to choose.

What’s more, he asked for the boxes to be made with the sponge liners and rods inside, which was not the product that our company could produce. But our professional competence propelled us to help him find a new supplier to make this sponge liner. Finally, we managed to help the customer find the right supplier to do this part of the work. After finishing the liner, we suddenly found that the silk-screen logo was easy to be scraped off. Therefore, we advised the customer to change the screen printing to laser and confirmed the sample again. Finally our company made this perfect aluminum key box successfully.

 

After 3 months of proofing, modification, communication and running-in, we had made great efforts in the aluminum key box to satisfy our customer’s any requirements. Dating back to the whole process of this deal, we had spent much time and patience on the aluminum key box, from which we gained a lot. Otherwise, our customers spoke highly of our service and products, and what mattered most was our patience, service and the confidence in the process of making products. Ilya appreciated LML and our salesgirl Sunny whose service was professional. So far, he has cooperated with our company for the aluminum key box for more than 3 three years.

Currently, the aluminum key box are popular all over the world. We feel so proud because we are the first participants and witnesses. With the three-year cooperation with Germany customer Ilya for the aluminum key box, Sunny, our salesgirl, has a lot of feelings:

1. It is little difficult to reach a deal with the customer, especially when the customer is not familiar with the process, materials and design of products. We can understand customers’ requirements by communicating, using drawings or other products. Although the process is cumbersome, we still do our best to prepare and work hard to solve problems and meet customers’ requirements.

2. Being patient with our customers is crucial in the process of communication. The customer often has new ideas suddenly, so we often talks with the customer until two or three o'clock in the morning. We respect the wisdom of customers and provide the best cooperation for this purpose. It is our patience and ability to provide customers with good service to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Except the aluminum key box product, our company, LML Metal Products Ltd, which is a 10-year verified supplier of Alibaba.com (from2010) also devotes ourselves to the best service for all kinds of machinery parts, high accuracy parts and Mold and Die accessories. We are waiting for your coming!!

 

The purpose of our LML is to be the transmitter of excellent products and service, so we are trying our best to serve every customer well.

 

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Looking for reliable custom manufacturing services? LML Metal Products Ltd. specializes in CNC machining (supporting drawing customization), sheet metal fabrication, fasteners, and silver contact processing. We ensure high-quality parts tailored to your requirements. Explore our full range of services and request a quote on our official website: LML Metal Products Ltd.