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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.

Does Your Contract Manufacturer Have the Right Technology to Handle Your Project?

January 3, 2020 By meiadmin

Having the right technology is extremely important when creating electronic devices and components. Without the right tools and technology, quality suffers. This can create problems with reputation and lead to costly product recalls. Although working with a contract manufacturer can help increase quality and reduce costs, it’s important to make sure the CM you work with is tech savvy enough to handle your project requirements.

Equipment

The manufacturing equipment used can have a major impact on the finished product. When selecting a CM to work with, make sure the company you choose has the right machinery and equipment to produce the products you require.

People

In addition to having the right equipment and machinery, your CM should have a full staff of experienced and dedicated professionals. If possible, visit the CM’s facility and speak directly with the people responsible for creating your products.

Quality Management System

Nothing determines the success of a new product more than quality. Offering high quality products improves sales, increases the chance of repeat business and recommendations, and can significantly help grow a company’s brand.

When choosing a contract manufacturer, look for a CM with a Quality Management System in place. Ask potential CMs whether they are ISO certified. Companies that have received ISO certification have proven that they meet or exceed extremely high standards for quality.

Traceability

In order to ensure the finished quality and correct assembly of electronic devices, companies need to track all devices and components throughout production. Traceability is extremely important, especially when creating custom devices and/or devices for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries.

Make sure the CM you choose actively uses a proven traceability system. The system should allow the CM to track every part and component through all stages of production. This type of system provides valuable insight and ensures everyone knows and understands the progress and status of the project.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services including design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. An ISO certified CM, Means Engineering uses best practices and equipment to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Save On Soft Costs By Utilizing a U.S. Based CM

December 27, 2019 By meiadmin

Utilizing a contract manufacturer can save a significant amount of time and money over handling production in-house. The right CM helps improve product quality, reduces time to market, and helps businesses expand into new markets. While outsourcing typically costs less than purchasing equipment, hiring and maintaining staff, and ensuring optimal quality through advanced testing techniques and practices, using a U.S. based CM can save more on the soft costs of production over outsourcing overseas.

Quality Assurance

Businesses spend a lot of money assuring the quality of finished products and components. This is important, as most U.S. consumers have extremely high expectations for quality and service. Releasing a new product that does not meet consumer expectations can have a negative effect on brand reputation. When it comes to electronic devices created for the medical and aerospace industries, poor quality could affect the health or well-being of the people that use the finished product.

Unfortunately, most overseas manufacturers do not have access to the same equipment or resources as local, U.S. based manufacturers. In order to ensure products and components meet quality standards, companies often must test products themselves. Using a U.S. based CM like Means Engineering ensures all products meet strict requirements for quality. This eliminates the cost of having to test products in-house.

Ease of Communication

Communication is one of the biggest complaints companies have when outsourcing overseas. Language barriers and varying time zones creates issues with communication that could affect product quality and/or time to market.

When working with a contract manufacturer, it’s important that companies maintain clear lines of communication throughout the entire process. Working with a U.S. based CM eliminates language barrier and time zone concerns.

Monitor Progress

Companies that outsource production overseas typically do not get the opportunity to meet with the CM or see the facility. Aside from the communications they receive, the company has no way to actually track progress.

Working with a local CM makes it possible to visit the facility and meet the people who will work on the project. This ability to “mind the shop” creates peace of mind and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services designed to cut costs and increase the quality of finished products and components. Please contact us for more information about our services.

4 Tips for Successful Integration With a Contract Manufacturer

December 20, 2019 By meiadmin

Businesses utilize contract manufacturers for numerous reasons. In addition to improved quality, the right CM can provide a business with the tools and resources needed for growth and success. Once a business makes the decision to outsource, it’s important they take some time to locate the right CM. The ideal partner will have ample experience creating the types of products and/or components the hiring company requires. Once selected, both parties should strive to develop a successful and long-lasting relationship.

While outsourcing can provide many benefits, it can also create headaches if not done right. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open and make sure everyone stays on the same page. The following tips can help ensure successful integration with a contract manufacturer.

Agree On a Consistent Performance Management System

In order to ensure success, both companies must agree on a common and consistent performance management system. This helps keep everything in line and keeps both businesses focused on the same goal. When determining the essential metrics, make sure to base them on total value, not just standard criteria such as quality, customer service, cost, and safety.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Making sure everyone is up-to-date and on the same page is crucial to the success of any project. When working with a CM, do not rely on email alone for communication. Schedule regular conference calls and/or in-person meetings to discuss progress along the way. In addition to providing information about the status of the project, regular communication helps make sure all issues are addressed and resolved immediately, before they affect the delivery date of the project.

Consider Vendor Consolidation

A company’s time and budget can get spread extremely thin when trying to maintain relationships with multiple suppliers. Before beginning a new project, consider vendor consolidation. Contract manufacturers provide a one stop solution for businesses, making consolidation easy.

Expect To Be In It For the Long Haul

Companies achieve the best results when they establish and maintain a long-term collaboration with their CM. In addition to providing more stability for strategic planning, longer commitments incentivize investments and innovation efforts. When looking for a contract manufacturer, search for a company that has experience working with multiple industries. This makes it possible to expand into new markets later.

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

Ensuring High Quality Products

December 13, 2019 By meiadmin

Thanks to increasing demand and rising consumer expectations, manufacturers today are under extreme pressure to create new products. Modern day consumers expect more features and functionality than ever before. They also expect a constant stream of new products hitting the market. This is especially true for the electronic device industry.

In order to stay competitive, manufacturers must continuously create and release new products that include the features most desired by consumers. These products must meet extremely high expectations for quality. No one wants to purchase an inferior product, especially a higher priced electronic device. In addition to consumer dissatisfaction and loss of business, problems with quality could lead to dangerous device malfunction and recall. Manufacturers will want to do everything they can to avoid these types of issues.

Quality Testing an Important Part of Production

Manufacturers must ensure that all products pass rigorous testing for quality. Testing parts and components prior to assembly can help locate issues sooner, when they’re easier to fix. This can save the manufacturer a significant amount of time and money. It also helps the manufacturer locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement.

Contract Manufacturer Help OEMs Increase Product Quality

Companies looking to increase the quality and consistency of products produced can benefit from utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer. While OEMs often turn to CMs to help fill periods of high demand, the right CM can also help reduce production costs and ensure the creation of high quality products time and time again.

Experienced CMs, like Means Engineering, have years of experience producing a wide range of products. These companies have a Quality Management System in place to ensure every product meets strict requirements for quality and consistency.

Means Engineering uses advanced equipment and techniques to test each product and component. This testing allows their experts to catch issues sooner, before they are able to affect the quality of the finished product. Using thorough evaluation and testing, Mean Engineering’s team can even locate ways to reduce costs and improve product quality.

Please contact us to learn more about our comprehensive contract manufacturing services.