electronics manufacturing Archives - Page 3 of 13

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.

Why Quality Product Design Matters

February 7, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies today are under a lot of pressure to produce exciting new products. Although it can be tempting to skimp on quality in order to push out new products, this can negatively affect your business. Consumers have extremely high expectations, and producing poor quality products not only increases the chance of costly returns and recalls, it also hurts your company’s reputation with consumers. No one wants to spend money on an inferior product. In today’s competitive atmosphere, releasing just one poorly made product could impact your chance of future sales.

Better Products Begin With Quality Design

Quality products begin with quality design plans. It simply isn’t possible to create a good product without having a clear understanding of what works and what does not. This is where outsourcing can help. The right CM can fully analyze your design plans to locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This is usually something simple like a change of material or process. Sometimes, these changes fix a problem with the original design.

Catching problems early can save a lot a time and money in the future. Often, CM changes made to design plans improve the quality of the finished product. They might even reduce the costs involved with production.

Contract Manufacturers Provide a Variety of Design, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance Services

Experienced contract manufacturers have years of experience working with a wide range of industries. Utilizing a CM’s help during the design process provides access to a wealth of information and expertise. It also provides a fresh set of eyes that might catch something that those closer to the project did not. Even companies with extensive experience creating design plans and successful products can benefit from outsourcing.

Contract manufacturers often provide a variety of services. In addition to assisting with product design, CMs also provide manufacturing and quality assurance testing services. Businesses of all shapes and sizes utilize contract manufacturers.

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for businesses across a wide range of industries. When you work with Means Engineering, we work directly with you from concept to completion. Please contact us to learn more 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.

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.