meiadmin, Author at Means Engineering, Inc.

Ensuring a Successful Contract Manufacturing Relationship

October 12, 2018 By meiadmin

A contract manufacturer (CM) helps companies produce new products without the need to acquire additional equipment, technologies, or people. CMs are industry experts with years of experience. Depending on the firm, a CM can help with design, production, and testing of a wide range of products.

Partnering with the right contract manufacturer can be extremely rewarding. Contract manufacturers support innovation and make it possible to grow your business and expand into new markets.

The following will help ensure a successful relationship with your contract manufacturer.

Select a Qualified CM Early in the Process

Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer early in the process allows you to work together to meet target costs and create realistic timelines. A contract manufacturer can help provide insight that can be used to improve the quality of products produced while reducing the cost of production and time to market.

Define the Scope of Work

Understanding what is expected is crucial to the successful completion of any project. Although companies are often anxious and run headfirst into production, it’s a much better idea to take a step back and make sure that everyone fully understands the true scope of work.

Addressing factors such as timeline, milestones, and responsibilities early in the process ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Identify Testing and Inspection Requirements

Testing and inspection requirements will vary by project. Identifying these requirements early helps control budget and timeline requirements.

Communicate Device Function to the CM

It’s important to describe in detail the functional requirements of the product being produced. This will help identify high-risk areas and ensure compliance with industry standards. For example, medical devices must meet strict regulations. Without a clear understanding of what the finished product will be used for, a CM might not take the necessary steps to ensure compliance. Always be very clear when discussing device function.

Be Realistic About Cost

One of the biggest hurdles of any project is determining the cost of production. While the actual cost will vary from the estimated total, careful planning can provide a more realistic view. It’s important to take into consideration the possibility of market changes that could affect time and cost.

Supporting Innovation in the Military and Defense Industries

October 5, 2018 By meiadmin

Defense industries around the world are starting to show more interest in emerging technologies. In fact, defense communities have already begun reaching out to capable providers. Particular areas of interest include artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, additive manufacturing, advanced and smart materials, augmented reality, unmanned systems, and remote sensing. Modern day militaries are hoping to use these technologies to enhance the effectiveness of military people, machines, and systems in the future.

This increased interest in new technologies represents a significant shift in the capabilities of future military forces.

Utilizing New Technologies

Creating products utilizing new technologies can be difficult. This is especially true for the Military and Defense industries, which have some of the strictest and most demanding requirements in the world.

Military technologies used to be created solely by those in the defense industry. However, that isn’t the case anymore. Commercial firms and research institutions are now the main developers of new technologies for Military and Defense. This is why government agencies frequently turn to outside parties to support their innovation efforts.

Currently, the United States is putting significant effort into acquiring new products that utilize advanced technologies. Each of the states has already begun actively searching for opportunities for innovation and growth. This innovation is essential to the creation of a more advanced future military presence in America.

Creating Innovative New Products

Other countries are also utilizing new technologies and could pose a serious risk if the United States is not able to keep up. Continuous innovation is crucial to the success of our future military.

Outsourcing provides access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. It also provides a fresh perspective on the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer can ensure that products are built to exact specifications, and that they meet the unique requirements of the Military and Defense industries.

Supporting Growth

Contract manufacturers must keep up to date with the latest technologies and techniques. This puts them in the best possible position to support innovation and future growth.

Implementing Risk Management Into Your Organization

September 28, 2018 By meiadmin

Businesses today must do all they can to reduce risk. This typically starts with a full evaluation of business processes and operations.

In order to reduce risk, it’s important to identify the processes and areas that leave an organization vulnerable. For example, organizations responsible for the creation of electronic devices for demanding industries face a number of complex challenges when it comes to quality and compliance. Maintaining quality and compliance becomes more difficult as organizations grow and increase their global footprint. Without proper risk management, these organizations could experience significant loss.

Using Technology to Automate Processes and Minimize Risk

New technologies are commonly used by organizations to help minimize risk, increase quality, and maintain compliance as growth and change occurs. These technologies connect and streamline a number of business processes. This helps organizations achieve their goals and remain compliant. However, new technologies can be expensive, and many organizations simply do not have the capital needed for this type of investment.

In addition to the cost of new technologies, there are several other costs involved with maintaining compliance such as reporting fees, and finding the time and resources needed to remain compliant. Organizations must also continuously make adjustments to products in order to remain compliant with changing regulations. This might involve making simple adjustments, or designing and creating a whole new product. Either way, the cost of making required changes can be extremely high.

Reducing Risk

Organizations responsible for the creation of products for the medical and defense industries must meet a number of strict requirements and regulations. Companies that fail to meet standards for compliance face serious consequences including loss of business and reputation. It’s crucial that these companies do all they can to reduce risk and remain compliant.

Organizations wishing to reduce risk and ensure compliance can benefit from outsourcing design and production to a partner they can trust. Outsourcing provides access to the knowledge, experience, and technology needed to increase quality and ensure compliance, without the high price tag of implementing similar technologies or people in-house. This has numerous benefits for organizations responsible for the creation of high quality products, especially those for demanding industries with strict rules for compliance.

Taking a Strategic Approach to R&D Dilemmas

September 21, 2018 By meiadmin

Companies today face many challenges when it comes to research & development (R&D). This is especially true for companies responsible for the creation of electronic devices. New electronic products must meet strict requirements and the rising demands of modern day consumers.

High-tech companies often struggle with R&D. These companies face a number of dilemmas including high costs, increasing pressure for innovation, and ensuring there is a market for the products they produce. When not properly handled, these dilemmas can have a negative impact on a company’s ability to remain profitable in an extremely competitive market.

It’s crucial that companies take a strategic approach to the dilemmas they face. This approach should be focused on saving money and increasing the company’s earning potential.

Partnering With a Contract Manufacturer

Partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer can help increase a company’s chance at success. The right contract manufacturer is able to provide the tools and resources needed to develop new products. These are individuals with years of experience. They understand what works and what does not.

A quality contract manufacturer has experience working with several different industries. They are able to provide a wide range of services including product design, production, and testing. These services can be used to help high-tech companies create innovative new products.

The right contract manufacturer has extensive knowledge about the electronics industry. They have experience helping electronics companies produce products consumers will actually buy.

Create the Products Consumers Want

Working with a contract manufacturer can help your company reduce costs as well as time to market. This is beneficial for a number of reasons. Reducing costs increases earning potential and provides your company with the funds needed to produce more products.

Electronics are developed at an alarming rate. It seems like the moment a product hits the shelf, the newer model is already available. This is why reducing time to market is so important. Reducing time to market increases the likelihood that people will actually want to buy your product.

A contract manufacturer can provide your company with a wealth of knowledge about your industry. They have access to the tools and technologies needed to create the type of products that consumers demand. These resources are available at a much lower price than in-house production.

Companies wishing to remain competitive should consider partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer.

Contract Manufacturers Support Innovation

September 14, 2018 By meiadmin

In the past, contract manufacturing was thought of as a way to save money. While this is still true, a quality contract manufacturer is now able to offer so much more. Contract manufacturers today are relied on by many industries to support growth by bringing innovation, new technology, and a new approach.

Quality contract manufacturers have years of experience designing and creating a wide range of products. In order to meet demand, they must ensure that they are up to date with all of the latest technologies and techniques. This puts them in the best possible position to support innovation.

Until recently, contract manufacturers were chosen based on their ability to reduce costs and time to market. Now, the responsibilities of contract manufacturers are much more diverse. Contract manufacturers today are commonly used to help companies in competitive industries design and produce a wide range of products.

Producing High Quality Devices

In order to be successful, electronic devices must have more options and more features than ever before. This is especially true for devices made for the aerospace and medical industries. These products must meet extremely strict requirements for both quality and accuracy. Many manufacturers simply do not have the tools and resources needed to produce and test products for these industries. This is where a contract manufacturer can help.

Contract manufacturers provide the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. They are often experts in their field, with access to some of the most advanced technologies available today.

Producing High Quality Products

Contract manufacturers are under more scrutiny than ever before. Companies want to know that their partner is following strict standards for quality and assurance. This is especially true for organizations in the medical or defense industries.

It’s important to ensure that the company you work with is qualified to handle the level of service you require. Contract manufacturers that are ISO certified have proven that they are committed to quality. This type of certification takes a high level of dedication to achieve.

Means Engineering Inc. offers high quality design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Our team is well prepared to work with your company to help you excel and reach new markets.