When a company, whether it is a small biotech firm or a well-known pharmaceutical giant, chooses a contract manufacturer and developer, such as SP Pharmaceuticals , they are entrusting them with nothing less than the future. Living up to that trust has to affect every area of the contractor's operation. It requires a commitment to excellence and performance from every manager and employee in the company. It requires great services, high levels of quality and regulatory compliance, excellent manufacturing practices and competitive prices. It also requires integrity and commitment to confidentiality.
Timing is another concern.
A good indication is the contractor's commitment to growing production capacity. For example, SP Pharmaceuticals is currently working with a major engineering company to increase its production capacity to meet increased customer needs. A major capacity expansion is scheduled for completion in 2001. Also, a company can look at the contractor's growth plan, which should dovetail with its planned capacity expansions and customer recruitment. Art Solomon Companies are also concerned that they are putting product quality at risk when they outsource.