From evolving prototype to shipped production
Supersmith is developing a first-of-its-kind self-levelling mobility scooter designed to be lightweight, highly manoeuvrable and confidence-inspiring. Its core technology was developed by Fred, drawing on his background in robotics.
The Challenge
Supersmith’s product combines innovative self-levelling technology with a complex, multi-process mechanical design. Parts needed to be sourced and developed, tooling decisions made, manufacturing problems resolved and an assembly process created - often while the design was still evolving.
This is the stage where many ambitious hardware projects struggle. The product is too complex and changeable for a conventional assembly factory, but progressing it requires far more than simply finding suppliers.
Building the supply chain
Bamboo Bridge helped identify and develop suppliers for components across a wide range of manufacturing processes. We worked with Supersmith and its suppliers on quotations, DfM, drawings, tooling, samples and engineering builds.
As issues emerged, our China-based team could visit factories, gather evidence, coordinate technical discussions and keep actions moving across multiple suppliers
Turning a design into a production process
As the project moved towards production, our work expanded beyond individual components. We helped develop the manufacturing system needed to build the complete product, including:
assembly processes and work instructions
jigs, fixtures and inspection methods
build records and production tracking
quality standards and control points
end-of-line testing
issue tracking and corrective actions
rework and engineering-change implementation
Because the product was still developing, the assembly environment needed to support learning and change. Problems identified during a build could be investigated, fed back into the design or supply chain, and incorporated into the next version of the process.
A flexible team around the project
The support required changed at each stage. Sourcing and engineering were most important during early development; project management and supplier coordination grew as the number of parts increased; quality and assembly became central as the product entered production.
Bamboo Bridge brought the right combination of people into the project as those needs changed—giving Supersmith access to an experienced China-side team without having to build the entire operation internally.
The result
Supersmith has progressed from engineering builds into controlled production, with completed products now being shipped.
Behind those products is a more structured and repeatable manufacturing system: developed suppliers, controlled assembly processes, documented quality checks, visible issue management and a clear route towards larger-scale production.
Supersmith demonstrates the full Bamboo Bridge model in action: helping an ambitious hardware company source, develop, industrialise, build and deliver a complex product in China.
Developing a complex product in China?
We can build the right combination of engineering, sourcing, project management, quality and assembly support around your project.