electronics manufacturing Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

Making Contract Manufacturing Work for You

January 15, 2021 By meiadmin

Inventors come up with ideas at the strangest times. When this occurs, many worry they cannot develop their idea into a tangible product. While inventors may not have the tools needed to produce a fully functional prototype, they should attempt to work with someone that does.

Utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer puts inventors in direct contact with people that know how to design, produce, and test a wide range of products and devices. Even if the inventor isn’t sure how to get started or what needs to be done, speaking with an experienced contract manufacturer can help determine whether the idea stands a chance of making it off the drawing board.

Although many entrepreneurs and inventors believe contract manufacturers only work with large organizations, nothing could be further from the truth. Contract manufacturers often work with individuals to help turn their ideas into reality.

What is Contract Manufacturing?

Contract manufacturers help people or businesses design, produce, and test products. They commonly help with prototyping, machining, and other complex parts of production. Large companies often utilize contract manufacturers to create new products or fulfill periods of high demand. Small businesses and start-ups may hire a contract manufacturer to produce all of their products.

Contract manufacturing allows businesses to provide customers with high quality products without having to acquire all of the equipment, machinery, technology, space, and people needed to produce products in-house.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer to Work With

Inventors should to take care when choosing a contract manufacturer to work with. It’s important to locate a CM with experience building the type of protype or product they’d like to create. Inventors should interview the contract manufacturer prior to signing any contracts. If possible, the inventor should visit the facility and ask about past projects. This can provide peace of mind and let the inventor know whether or not the CM can handle their project.

U.S. Based Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to individuals, small businesses, government agencies, and large organizations. Our team of professionals has years of experience working with a wide range of projects and industries. Please contact us for information about our contract manufacturing services.

4 Ways Contract Manufacturing Can Help Your Organization

December 11, 2020 By meiadmin

Contract manufacturing offers numerous benefits to organizations both large and small. Contract manufacturing reduces the costs associated with the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Utilizing a contract manufacturer also makes it possible for businesses to grow and expand into new markets without having to invest in additional people, training, and equipment.

Improved Design

An experienced CM provides a variety of services. When utilized during the design phase, a contract manufacturer acts as a second set of eyes for design plans. This can help organizations locate new ways to improve the design of the product. Changes suggested by a CM often help reduce the costs associated with production and improve the quality and reliability of finished products. This can benefit both the OEM and the end user.

Better Quality and Consistency

Contract manufacturers often have strict quality control standards. They keep up with changing rules and regulations regarding product creation for different industries. The right CM has the people, experience, and expertise needed to improve the quality of a wide range of products.

Lower Costs

In order to produce products and components, organizations must obtain appropriate space, people, equipment, and machinery. Using a contract manufacturer allows OEMs to produce a wide range of products without spending a lot of money on labor, supplies, equipment, and equipment maintenance. Cost savings is one of the top reasons that organizations utilize contract manufacturing.

Faster Turnaround

Contract manufacturers have established relationships with suppliers. This allows them to obtain materials faster. Because CMs have experience working with several different companies, they understand how to reduce production time and ensure high quality products. This allows organizations to bring new products to market faster.

Experienced Southern California Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides a variety of contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. Our team of experienced professionals works directly with each of our clients to improve product quality, reduce time to market, and help organizations as they grow and expand into new markets.

Please contact us to learn how our services can help your organization fulfill periods of high demand or launch a new product.

How Start-Ups & Entrepreneurs Utilize Contract Manufacturing

November 13, 2020 By meiadmin

Entrepreneurs face many challenges when starting a business. In addition to figuring out how to properly market and brand their business, they must also determine how to bring new products to market. Obtaining office space and hiring and training marketing personnel and office management takes up a significant portion of a start-up’s budget, leaving very little to produce prototypes. Unfortunately, it’s not likely that a start-up will receive funding without a tangible product that investors can see and touch.

Outsourcing makes it possible for entrepreneurs and start-ups to produce products without acquiring additional space, equipment, machinery, or people. Utilizing a contract manufacturer not only saves money, it eliminates many of the issues commonly faced by new businesses.

Creating High Quality Products

No one wants to purchase an inferior product. Manufacturers must ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Contract manufacturers often have years of experience. They provide a second set of eyes for design plans. When utilized during the design phase, contract manufacturers help spot areas that could benefit from improvement. This helps avoid costly repairs and recalls, saving the organization time and money and helping ensure customer satisfaction.

Ensuring Compliance with Industry Regulations

It’s important that manufacturers remain compliant with the safety and environmental regulations of their industry. Experienced contract manufacturers, like Means Engineering, carry multiple industry certifications to ensure compliance with internationally recognized standards for both safety and quality.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to locate an established organization with experience working with multiple industries. Even if the organization does not plan to move into new markets, knowing this option is available can make a big difference if anything changes in the future.

For organizations that plan to obtain their own manufacturing equipment, building a good relationship with a contract manufacturer ensures the continuous flow of products. Contract manufacturers often help businesses fulfill orders during periods of high demand.

Means Engineering provides comprehensive contract manufacturing services for businesses across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for more information about our services.

The Importance of Clean Rooms in Medical Device Creation

August 21, 2020 By meiadmin

When producing medical devices, medical device manufacturers must maintain a clean environment. This is important, as any bacteria or microorganisms can create a safety concern for patients. It’s also crucial that medical device manufacturers ensure that air pollutants don’t gather on small components, impacting their ability to function as desired. In order to keep medical devices free from contaminants, medical device manufacturers must assemble these products in a controlled environment. Using a cleanroom for medical device assembly ensures bacteria and pollutants do not impact the functionality or safety of medical devices.

Ensuring Compliance with Federal Regulations Regarding Medical Device Creation

Companies responsible for the creation of devices for the medical industry must meet strict regulations regarding the design, production, and labeling of medical devices. Regardless of the type of device and its classification with the FDA, medical device manufacturers must ensure adequate cleanliness throughout the entire manufacturing process.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets the standard for quality for the medical device industry. Companies that receive ISO 13485 certification have proven they have the tools and capabilities to ensure optimal cleanliness and contamination controls when producing medical devices.

What is a Cleanroom?

A cleanroom is a special room, typically inside a manufacturing facility with special filtration used to remove contaminants like dust, airborne microbes, and aerosol particles. Manufacturers often use cleanrooms to produce electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. In addition to cleanliness and contamination control, cleanrooms also control temperature, air flow, and humidity all of which can impact the quality of finished products.

Do You Need a Cleanroom?

Organizations often wonder whether they need their own cleanroom. For organizations creating medical devices, a cleanroom is important to ensure the quality and safety of finished products. However, finding the space and funding for a cleanroom could create a challenge. Many small and mid-size companies often struggle to justify the cost of implementing cleanroom operations into their facility. It takes a lot of people and training to ensure the safe and proper production of these important devices.

Companies can benefit from outsourcing medical device production to an ISO 13485 certified contract manufacturer like Means Engineering. Our team has years of experience and understands how to design and produce a wide range of medical devices. We offer state of the art cleanroom assembly to ensure optimal cleanliness and quality.

Right Sized Contract Manufacturing Services

When you work with Means Engineering, we work directly with you to develop a customized solution. Unlike larger contract manufacturing firms, we offer a personalized approach. No matter how big or small your project, our team stays in communication throughout the entire process.

Please contact us for more information about our medical device contract manufacturing services.

Building Trust in Your Brand

August 7, 2020 By meiadmin

Every company wants to be successful. This is true for both start-ups and large corporations. Without consumer trust, your company simply won’t do very well. This is especially true for companies in competitive industries like electronics.

Consumers have high expectations when it comes to the quality, functionality, and reliability of new products. Companies looking to produce new products need to ensure they meet consumer expectations. Without proper testing and quality controls, organizations can lose a lot of business and develop a bad reputation. It’s important that organizations do all they can to ensure the quality and reliability of every product produced.

Outsourcing Reduces Costs and Time to Market

Partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer can help organizations bring new products to market faster. This may be especially beneficial for companies in the electronics industry. Technology changes at a rapid pace, and companies often find it difficult to keep up.

Unfortunately, by the time most companies finish designing, producing, and testing new electronic devices in-house, consumers have already moved on to the next best thing. Working with an experienced contract manufacturer could give these organizations the upper hand. The right CM has the tools, technology, people, and experience needed to keep up with changing consumer demands.

Expanding Into New Markets

Companies responsible for the production of electronic devices often worry about moving into new markets. The rules and regulations of certain industries like medical, aerospace, and defense prevent many companies from expanding. What many of these organizations do not realize is that partnering with a qualified contract manufacturer can allow them to meet industry standards, making it possible to grow their business and significantly increase their revenue opportunities.

Access to Raw Materials

Companies often find it difficult to access the raw materials needed to produce products in-house. This can cause delays in the time it takes to bring new products to market. Because of their experience, contract manufacturers typically have good relationships with raw material suppliers. This helps ensure they have everything they need to produce products on time and on budget.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Please contact us for information.