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How to Make the Most of Your Contract Manufacturing Partnership

January 25, 2019 By meiadmin

Companies everywhere strive to keep costs low. Reducing costs on manufacturing increases profits and allows for better allocation of funds. When looking into ways to cut costs, one of the decisions business owners should consider is whether or not to outsource some or all of their production.

Outsourcing allows organizations to create a wide range of products without having to acquire the space, people, equipment, and technology needed for production. This significantly reduces the amount of money spent on producing new products. In addition to reducing production costs, utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer during the design process helps locate unique ways to further reduce costs and improve quality.

Quality contract manufacturers have years of experience. They have access to the latest equipment and technology. They understand how to leverage best practices to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

There are numerous benefits to working with a contract manufacturer. Perhaps the most important is that it frees up time and resources so that leaders can focus on other important aspects of the business.

Contract Negotiations

Just like every other factor in business, organizations should ensure they get the most out of their contract manufacturing partnership. This begins with contract negotiations. It’s crucial that the organization and the CM agree on mutual terms. The contract should establish certain milestones to allow for adequate monitoring of each project’s progression.

During negotiations, it’s important that the organization understands the limitations of the CM. They should negotiate a solid contract that ensures a mutually profitable relationship.

Establish a Lasting Relationship

Contract manufacturers work with their clients to help them succeed. Organizations should take the time needed to build a mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationship.

Quality Management System

One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing is that it allows businesses to increase the quality of finished products. This is why it’s so important to work with an experienced contract manufacturer that has a quality management system in place.

Means Engineering is registered to both ISO 9001 and AS 9100. Companies with these certifications must meet strict requirements for quality control. Our team has years of experience working with a wide range of industries. We provide comprehensive solutions including design, production, and testing of products and components.

Prime Defense Contractors Turn to Contract Manufacturers to Fill Orders

January 18, 2019 By meiadmin

The expansion of high-tech military equipment has left many Prime Defense Contractors scrambling to fill orders. Most of these contractors simply do not have the people or resources needed to handle the influx of orders in-house.

Outsourcing vs. In-House Production

The high cost of production prevents many large organizations from handling production in-house. It’s just not economically feasible to produce and test the large number of military electronics needed to protect our country. This is why several major companies including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L-3 turn to contract manufacturers to help with the design, production, and testing of new products.

Contract manufacturing of military electronics has quickly become a major industry. Several companies around the United States have begun offering a wide range of contract manufacturing services specifically for the military. Prime Defense Contractors often utilize several different CM’s for various parts of production.

Contract Manufacturing of Military Electronics

Contract manufacturing for military electronics is different than traditional contract manufacturing. In traditional contract manufacturing, the CM creates complete products under the contractor’s brand. When it comes to military, the contract manufacturer may create certain components based on designs provided by the contractor, or create products or components based on the contract manufacturer’s original designs, assemblies, fabrication, testing, and manufacturing process. The contract manufacturer uses their unique knowledge of the industry to produce products and provide services to meet the contractor’s exact requirements.

Military electronics are often used in extreme environments. It’s crucial that these products work the way they should. Any defect or system failure could potentially put lives at risk. This is why Prime Defense Contractors must meet strict requirements for quality and reliability. Products created for the military must undergo rigorous testing.

Experienced Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides comprehensive contract manufacturing solutions for businesses across a wide range of industries. Our team of experts has extensive experience working with the Defense industry. We bring a high level of knowledge and expertise to every project.

Means Engineering has the capabilities to handle all parts of production including design, assembly, manufacturing, and testing. Our services provide significant value over handling production in-house.

Creating High Quality Products for the Aerospace and Defense Industries

January 11, 2019 By meiadmin

At Means Engineering, we understand the importance of reliable and capable manufacturing services, especially when it comes to the Aerospace and Defense industries. Products for these industries must meet strict requirements for quality and reliability.

Industry Expertise

Our team has several years of experience creating high quality products for the Aerospace and Defense industries. Means Engineering’s commitment to quality ensures that every product produced meets exact specifications and requirements. Our streamlined process ensures the production of products in a timely and efficient manner.

Means Engineering provides more than just manufacturing, we provide innovative solutions that help increase quality and reduce the cost of production. We provide electrical and mechanical assemblies, constructed to withstand harsh conditions both on the ground and in the air.

We utilize the best people, technologies, and practices. This puts us in the best possible position to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced. Whether providing design services, testing, or full manufacturing services, we always strive to exceed our customer’s expectations.

Providing Innovation and Comprehensive Design

We understand the unique challenges organizations face when creating new products. Our turn-key capabilities provide an intelligent route from concept to market. This simplifies product development and provides a simple solution to cumbersome outsourcing issues.

Our experienced design team provides a second set of eyes for design plans. Through years of experience working with the Defense and Aerospace industries, we have refined our process to locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Our testing services allow us to test a wide range of parts and assemblies to ensure their proper operation, even when exposed to rigorous environments.

Means Engineering uses a lean manufacturing process specially designed to meet a number of order fulfillment requirements. We provide a customized approach to provide the greatest level of value and convenience to our clients.

One-Stop Source for Product Development

Means Engineering is a one-stop source for comprehensive product development and manufacturing services. Our team brings a high level of expertise and innovation to every project. We have experience working with several industries including Medical, Industrial, Aerospace, and Defense. Our integrated approach ensures high quality results time and time again.

Importance of Testing New Products

January 4, 2019 By meiadmin

Product testing is important for a number of reasons. Testing allows an organization to ensure the quality of new products before they go to market. It also helps locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Fixing these issues before products hit the shelf helps prevent possible loss of customers and reputation.

Types of Testing

There are several different types of testing including quality assurance, product reliability testing, and lifecycle testing. Testing typically takes place during the manufacturing phases of product development and is often focused on consumer expectations.

Products for certain industries must meet strict requirements such as products created for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries. Components in these devices must meet a much higher standard than those used in other products.

Some products require Premarket Approval (PMA) testing before being passed on to consumers. This is true for medical devices that support or sustain human life. The proper operation and quality of these devices is crucial to the prevention of illness or injury.

Outsourcing

Organizations often attempt to handle product testing in-house. Unfortunately, this can cost a considerable amount of money. In order to maintain a testing lab, organizations must acquire the appropriate space, equipment, labor, and certificates.

Organizations can benefit from outsourcing testing to a qualified contract manufacturer. A contract manufacturer assists with all parts of production, from design to testing.

Qualified Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for organizations across a wide range of industries. We provide assistance with design, production, and testing of products. Our team has years of experience and understands the unique needs of businesses creating products for industries with complex requirements.

We provide all types of testing including quality assurance, product reliability testing, and lifecycle testing. We our AS 9100 and ISO 9001 certified. This helps us ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Means Engineering tests product functionality off the line. We use predetermined factors to determine the level of testing and scores each product receives. When necessary, we test individual parts as well as finished products to ensure optimal operation and functionality.

Continuous Improvement is Crucial to Success

December 21, 2018 By meiadmin

Organizations that wish to remain successful need to learn to work smarter not harder. This is easier said than done. Businesses often become stuck in their ways, unable to notice the opportunity for improvement. Creating a continuous improvement process can help. This process involves a number of ongoing activities focused on improving products, services, and/or processes.

Continuous improvement activities help locate potential improvement opportunities throughout an organization. This has the added benefit of reminding staff that there is always room to improve.

The Importance of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is crucial to the success of any business. As more and more companies compete for dominance in the marketplace, organizations need to increase productivity, reduce the time it takes to complete certain tasks, increase the quality and consistency of products produced, increase the life cycle of products, and learn how to produce products that consumers actually want. This is especially challenging for manufacturing companies already burdened with multiple tasks.

With continuous assessment and enhancements of products and processes, businesses can improve the level of quality and service they are able to provide. This can have significant benefit on the organization as a whole.

Meeting Consumer Demands

Consumers expect more features than ever before. They also want to know that they can get the product they want, when they want it. This depends heavily on the time it takes for the organization to bring new products to market. Organizations that cannot meet consumer demand often fall behind their competition.

Customers expect high quality at all times. Failing to meet consumer expectations for quality can have a damaging effect on the success and reputation of the business. The cost of poor quality products is often much higher than ensuring the proper assembly and testing of products from the start. Organizations must have adequate measures in place to ensure proper quality. Processes should include quality control, quality assurance, and total quality management.

Outsourcing Helps Organization’s Achieve Continuous Improvement Goals

Outsourcing can be an extremely important part of an organization’s continuous improvement strategy. Utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer reduces time to market and the costs involved with production and testing.