Why should design collaboration capability be considered in supplier selection decisions?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Given that a large part of product cost is fixed at design, collaboration capability of a supplier is significant. Good design collaboration for manufacturability and supply chain can also decrease required inventories and transportation cost. As manufacturers are increasingly outsourcing both the design and manufacture of components, their ability to coordinate design across many suppliers is critical to the ultimate success of the product and the speed of introduction. As a result, design collaboration capability of suppliers is becoming increasingly important.