Sharing Spare Capacity: How to Structure the Deal
What to agree
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Models, quantity and available time windows |
| Capability | Size and tolerance range you can hold |
| Minimum order | Smallest batch and changeover time |
| Pricing | Per hour, per part or per month |
| Quality | Inspection method and responsibility for rejects |
How to start safely
- Run a small trial batch before signing a long agreement.
- Agree confidentiality and intellectual property terms early.
- Define capacity priority when your own demand rises.
- Track utilisation so pricing can be revisited with data.
Shared capacity suits fluctuating demand. For steady volume, dedicated equipment is usually cheaper.