contract manufacturing Archives - Page 11 of 29

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 Quality When Using a Contract Manufacturer

December 6, 2019 By meiadmin

There are numerous benefits to using a contract manufacturer. In addition to reducing costs and time-to-market, outsourcing also allows for better allocation of staff and greater flexibility. Despite the benefits, many organizations still worry that outsourcing will equate to lower quality products. While monitoring quality is a little more difficult when you outsource, there are a few things you can do to ensure high quality products. In fact, partnering with the right CM can actually improve the quality of the products you produce.

Quality Management System

Companies that have a comprehensive Quality Management System in place have taken the time and steps needed to ensure quality assurance. Look for a company with AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification. It also helps to look for a CM that has experience working with a wide range of industries. This provides numerous benefits to companies looking to expand into new markets.

Clear Communication

Before partnering with a CM, make sure there’s a clear line of communication. It’s normal and expected to have regular meetings throughout the design and production process to ensure everyone is on the same page. It’s also important that the CM you work with notifies you of any changes before they occur. This should be clearly stated in your contract.

It’s also important to have a system in place to manage and interpret the information provided by the contract manufacturer.

Communication Timeline

It’s important to establish communication standards including response times and who will be responsible for managing communications. This is extremely important before beginning any project.

You want to make sure that you can get in touch with the CM if there is a recall or other issue with a part or component used in your product. Alternatively, you need to let consumers know if their device is not affected by the recall. The last thing you want is to have to wait for a reply.

Means Engineering has years of experience working with numerous industries. We work directly with each of our clients throughout the entire project, from design to completion. Please contact us to learn more about our contract manufacturing services.

Creating High Quality Products for the Aerospace Industry

November 29, 2019 By meiadmin

At Means Engineering, we understand the unique needs of the aerospace industry. No matter how big or small the project, we strive to deliver high quality products and service on time and on budget. When it comes to the aerospace industry, we understand the importance of high quality, reliable devices. We take all necessary steps to ensure each part and component meets strict requirements for quality and reliability.

Our team has years of experience with design and builds, redesigns, and troubleshooting devices and components for the aerospace industry. We follow strict compliance requirements and test each part throughout production. Our Quality Management System helps mitigate risk and ensures accurate documentation and reporting.

Creating Reliable Devices for Mission Critical Operations

Proper operation is crucial when it comes to devices used by the aerospace Industry. If devices fail, it could cause serious harm or injury. This is why it’s so important to work with a contract manufacturer that has experience creating devices for the aerospace Industry.

Means Engineering carries AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification. We use up-to-date technology and techniques and thoroughly test each component during production. This helps catch issues sooner, when they’re easier to fix. Our dedication to quality control allows us to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Experienced Team

Means Engineering employs an experienced team of designers and engineers. We are well-equipped to provide your organization with a second set of eyes for your design plans. This can help your organization locate potential problems or locate ways to reduce cost or improve the quality of finished products. We work directly with you throughout every step of the project.

From Design to Completion

When utilized during the design process, Means Engineering can help locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement. This helps catch issues prior to production. It also helps reduce cost and locate ways that could simplify production and/or improve the quality of the finished product. Getting a CM involved early in the process provides the greatest chance of success.

Please contact us to learn more about our services for the aerospace Industry.

Why Do Businesses Outsource?

November 22, 2019 By meiadmin

Not that long ago, most businesses were reluctant to outsource the manufacturing of their products. This has changed in recent years, with businesses of all shapes and sizes outsourcing production at an alarming rate. While many businesses argue that outsourcing makes sense for larger corporations with extremely high demand, smaller businesses may benefit even more from outsourcing. Outsourcing allows companies to create a large number of high quality devices, faster, and at a lower cost than possible in-house.

There are numerous benefits to outsourcing. The following are just a few of the main reasons companies outsource.

Fulfill Periods of High Demand

Organizations often find they do not have the resources needed to fulfill periods of high demand. Outsourcing allows these businesses to keep up with consumer demand without having to purchase extra equipment and space to create and store new products in-house. This is one of the most common reasons businesses outsource.

Create Products for New Markets

Companies that wish to move into new markets often learn that many industries have strict requirements for device operation and reliability. This is especially true for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries.

Utilizing a contract manufacturer provides access to individuals with years of experience. Quality CMs understand strict requirements and know how to test products and components to be sure they’ll perform reliably even under harsh conditions.

Free Up Resources

Producing products in-house takes a lot of time and effort. When an organization outsources, they free up their time, money, and people. Money that the organization would typically spend on production can be used for marketing or other efforts instead.

Increase Quality

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of working with an experienced contract manufacturer is that it allows organizations to increase the quality of the products they produce. CMs utilize the latest technology and techniques. They use state-of-the-art equipment and machinery and they understand what works and what does not. This puts them in the best possible position to create a wide range of high quality products.

Means Engineering has helped numerous organizations create high quality devices. Please contact us to learn how outsourcing can help your business succeed.