Original design manufacturer
ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturer. In this model, the manufacturer not only produces the product but also designs it. The client can either accept the existing design or make slight modifications before selling the product under their own brand. This model is particularly appealing to companies with limited design resources or those looking to launch products quickly.
Advantages of ODM:
- Since the design phase is largely handled by the manufacturer, the time to market is significantly reduced, allowing businesses to respond swiftly to market demands.
- ODM generally involves lower initial investment since the design and development are managed by the manufacturer, making it a cost-effective option for startups and small businesses.
- With ODM, businesses can rely on the manufacturer’s expertise and experience, reducing the risks associated with design flaws or production issues.
Challenges of ODM:
- The level of customisation in ODM is often constrained by the pre-existing designs offered by the manufacturer, which may not fully align with the client’s brand or market needs.
- In many cases, the ODM retains the IP rights to the design, which can be a concern for businesses that prioritise IP ownership and protection.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Circular economy.
- Construction waste.
- Disposal.
- Embodied energy.
- End of life.
- End of use.
- Equipment.
- Manufacturer.
- OEM vs ODM: A Comparative Guide for Product Development Success.
- Original Equipment Manufacturer.
- Pre-demolition audit.
- Recycling.
- Refurbishment.
- Reuse.
- Reused construction products.
- Service life
- Upcycling.
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.






















