southern california contract manufacturer Archives - Page 6 of 15

Choosing the Right Contract Manufacturer for Your Needs

February 28, 2020 By meiadmin

Different companies have different needs. When selecting a contract manufacturer, it’s important to consider these needs as well as any future requirements. Although you might not have any immediate plans to move into new markets, this might change as your business grows. Make sure you choose a CM that can grow and scale with your business needs.

Once you’ve established that the contract manufacturer can fulfill your needs, it’s important to make sure they’re easy to work with. While this might not seem important now, finding you can’t communicate with your CM can have a negative effect on the final result of your project.

Communication

Keeping the lines of communication open is an important part of every project. If you cannot communicate easily with your CM, it’s likely you’ll run into problems sooner or later. Make sure the CM you choose fully understands your requirements and sets a clear schedule for regular calls and/or in-person meetings to discuss progress.

Personality Differences

You want to make sure that you get along with your CM. Finding a quality CM you can speak freely with can have a major impact on your future relationship. Personality differences can put a strain on your relationship, affecting your ability to work with them in the future.

Budget

It goes without saying, but you need to find a contract manufacturer that fits your budget. However, be weary of costs that seem too low. Sometimes, the CM will tack on additional costs later, making the finished product cost more than you planned. If the price seems too low, make sure to ask about potential charges that haven’t made their way onto the original quote.

Quality Control

It’s important to ensure that the contract manufacturer you choose has a comprehensive quality management system in place. Selecting a contract manufacturer with ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 certification ensures the CM uses proven techniques and processes for ensuring products meet strict requirements for quality.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services. We employ a full team of design and manufacturing experts and are well prepared to handle even complex projects. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

The Smarter Way to Produce New Products

February 21, 2020 By meiadmin

In today’s competitive world, consumers expect new products to hit the shelf at a faster rate than ever before. This creates challenges for companies responsible for the creation and development of new products. While company innovators may come up with fresh ideas all the time, it takes time and resources to create design plans and bring new products to market. It also takes a lot of people, equipment, space, and technology. This is especially true for companies creating high-end electronic products.

In order to keep up with consumer demand, companies must look for smarter ways to produce new products. This typically involves finding ways to reduce costs and time to market. One of the best ways businesses can accomplish these goals is by implementing the help of a contract manufacturer.

Contract manufacturers help businesses in multiple ways. In addition to reducing cost and time to market, CMs can help significantly improve the quality of finished products.

Save Time

Outsourcing part or all of production to an experienced CM reduces the amount of time companies spend on developing new products. This allows the company to spend their time on what really matter; increasing their business and growing their brand.

Improve Quality

Contract manufacturers have years of experience creating products for a wide range of industries. Through extensive experience, the CM has learned what works and what does not. They’ve refined their quality assurance methods and adopted state of the art testing processes and technology. This puts them in the best position to ensure the creation of high quality products.

Reduced Costs

It takes a lot of money to produce products in-house. Companies must acquire adequate equipment, machinery, people, and space to house and maintain their manufacturing operation. Many smaller companies and start-ups simply do not have the capital required to produce products themselves. Even larger companies find they don’t have the resources needed to fulfill periods of high demand. Utilizing the help of contract manufacturer provides these companies with access to everything they need at a fraction of the cost.

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

How to Present Your Idea to a Contract Manufacturer

January 24, 2020 By meiadmin

Although there are numerous benefits to working with a contract manufacturer, presenting a CM with new ideas can intimidate even the most confident OEM. When pitching an idea, it’s important to do so in a way that encourages the development of a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with the CM. Making the right pitch to a potential outsourcing partner not only helps develop the relationship, it also allows the OEM to practice and refine their pitch for customers and vendors.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

Once a business has an idea, they typically conduct market research to determine how their intended audience perceives their idea. If successful, they must then locate a potential CM to work with.

For best results, OEMs should choose a contract manufacturer with years of experience creating products for a wide range of markets. This helps ensure they have the resources available to expand into new markets. The CM should have the proper equipment, experience, and technology to produce the types of products required.

During the interview process, the OEM should present their idea clearly and concisely. This first impression helps build the foundation for the relationship with the manufacturing partner.

In addition to providing a detailed business plan, it’s a good idea for the OEM to have some questions prepared before the first communication with the CM. Common questions revolve around:

Production minimums
Prototype/sampling process
Turnaround time
Lead times

Once the OEM has clearly presented the idea to the contract manufacturer, the CM will determine the price of the project based on quantity and materials.

Every company has different needs when it comes to timeline, price, experience, and capabilities. These needs often vary from project to project. It’s important that the OEM dedicates an appropriate amount of time and effort into finding the right contract manufacturer. Taking the time now can go a long way towards a successful and long lasting relationship with the CM.

Southern California Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering, Inc. provides a wide range of contract manufacturing services. We have helped many OEMs turn their ideas into reality. Please contact us for more information about our services.

Top Benefits of Working With a Contract Manufacturer

January 17, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies often find they do not have the capacity to bring new products to market. Unfortunately, this can have a major impact on their success and their ability to compete. This is especially true for businesses in highly competitive industries.

Working with a contract manufacturer allows businesses to create new products for less money than producing them in-house. In addition to significant cost-savings, there are numerous other benefits to working with an experienced CM.

Companies of all shapes and sizes can benefit from working with a contract manufacturer. Smaller companies and start-ups often utilize CMs to help bring new products to market. The CM might help with some or all parts of production. Larger organizations typically utilize CMs to help fulfill periods of high demand. Whatever the reason, CMs provide valuable services to a wide range of organizations.

Fast Turnaround

It takes time to create designs, build prototypes, and test new products. In order to create new products, companies that must first obtain the appropriate people, machinery, and space to complete the project. Using a contract manufacturer provides instant access to experienced designers and project managers. Most CMs have years of experience and understand what works and what does not. They maintain a full staff and utilize the latest equipment, techniques, and technologies. This helps ensure quick turnaround.

Quality Controls

Experienced contract manufacturers will have a Quality Management System in place. These CMs test every single part and component to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced. This also helps catch issues sooner, when they’re easier to fix. By increasing the quality of products produced, companies increase customer satisfaction.

When choosing a contract manufacturer, make sure to look for an ISO-certified CM.

Cost Savings

A qualified contract manufacturer provides a number of services including product design, complex assembly, welding, clean room assembly, printed circuit board assembly, and precision machining. Hiring a contract manufacturer provides access to all of these services without the high costs of labor, manufacturing equipment, and supplies. This saves a considerable amount of money over producing products in-house.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services. Please contact us for details.

2020 Electronics Manufacturing Trends

January 10, 2020 By meiadmin

As a leading Southern California contract manufacturer, we’ve seen many changes in the electronics manufacturing industry over the past few years. While certain trends have come and gone, others will likely continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Below, we detail the top electronics manufacturing trends that could transform the electronics industry in 2020.

Internet of Things

The manufacturing industry continues to embrace the Internet of Things. Integration of equipment and devices with Internet of Things technology enables cost reduction, product innovation, increased efficiency, and reduced burden on staff. IoT technology automates and simplifies a number of processes, eliminating tasks and the risk of human error.

We expect to see many more businesses in the electronics manufacturing industry implement IoT technology into their business next year.

Predictive Analysis

Several businesses have begun using technology and IoT devices to enable fast detection of potential problems. Manufacturers that utilize predictive technologies catch issues sooner, before they can slow production or lead to costly downtime. In addition to preventing downtime, predictive maintenance reduces maintenance and repair costs.

ERP Systems

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system help keeps manufacturing businesses competitive and lean. The right ERP system can help a manufacturer track inventory and orders in real-time. When provided in the cloud, an ERP system provides instant access to actionable data and reports from any location in the world.

3D Printing

3D printing has gained a lot of popularity over recent years. Manufacturers commonly use 3D printers to create prototypes, enabling designers to troubleshoot and test their products sooner. This increases time to market and provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prototype creation.

Contract Manufacturers

As consumer demand increases, more companies are utilizing the help of contract manufacturers. CMs can help a company produce new products, expand into new markets, and increase the quality of products produced. OEMs, start-ups, and small businesses frequently turn to contract manufacturers to help fulfill periods of high demand. We expect this will continue into 2020.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services designed to help our clients reduce costs and time to market. As an ISO certified contract manufacturer, we understand the need for exceptional service and quality. Please contact us for information about our services.

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