electronics manufacturing Archives - Page 4 of 13

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.

What to Look for in a Contract Manufacturer

November 1, 2019 By meiadmin

Deciding to partner with a contract manufacturer is one of the best decisions you can make for your business. CMs help reduce costs, improve quality, and reduce time-to-market. However, it’s important to learn all you can about the contract manufacturer before making your selection.

Capabilities

During the interview process, you’ll want to find out the capabilities of every contract manufacturer you talk to. Remember to consider both your current and potential needs when evaluating each company. It’s important to select a CM that can help your business grow and expand.

Experience

The work performed by contract manufacturers can vary greatly from one company to the next. Don’t be afraid to ask about the types of projects and industries each company has worked with. Choosing a CM that has experience with multiple industries puts you in the best position to expand into new markets later.

Process

Each company will probably have their own way of handling production process. You’ll want to find a company whose process matches your own business operations.

People

The overall success of your project will depend heavily on the people assigned to it. When speaking with potential candidates, make sure you talk to the people that will actually be working on your project. These are the people who can provide the most insight and help you understand how the project will progress. Make sure you speak with everyone involved including those responsible for assembly and testing.

Equipment & Technology

Creating electronic devices requires specialized equipment and technology. Make sure the company you partner with has access to up-to-date tools, techniques, and equipment.

Capacity

The contract manufacturer you choose should have the capacity to handle your project. Consider the size and complexity of your project when selecting a company to work with. Keep in mind that if your project is their biggest, the CM might run into trouble completing your order. Another extreme, if your project is their smallest, they might not give you the attention you deserve. It’s best to sit somewhere in the middle.

There are many things to consider when choosing a contract manufacturer. If you have questions or would like to talk to someone about your project, Means Engineering can help. Please contact us for details.

4 Ways Your CM Should Support Your Business

October 4, 2019 By meiadmin

Working with a contract manufacturer is an excellent way to improve the quality of your company’s products. While you probably already know that using a CM can help reduce costs and improve time to market, it’s important to consider your future goals and whether or not the selected CM can support them. Before choosing a company to work with, make sure that they are able to offer your company the following:

Flexibility

It’s important that your business isn’t restricted by your contract manufacturer’s limitations. Make sure you take the time to find a quality CM that has a flexible team, extensive experience, and a robust quality assurance system in place to support a wide range of needs. Even if you aren’t considering expanding into new markets now, you want to make sure you have the option later.

Scalability

Choose a contract manufacturer that can grow with your business. Many start-ups and small businesses begin with small volume projects. Over time, these companies often find their needs change. The last thing you want is to have to locate a new CM if your needs become too much for your contract manufacturer to handle.

Technology

Technology changes all the time. When it comes to developing new or improving existing products or components, your contract manufacturer should have access to the proper tools and people. This is especially important for companies looking to create electronic devices. The contract manufacturer you choose should utilize the latest techniques and have access to up-to-date technologies. Their people should know how to leverage these technologies to create consistent, high quality products.

Business Contingency Planning

No matter how much you prepare, unforeseen circumstances can occur and impact product supply. It’s crucial that you select a contract manufacturer with a solid contingency plan in place. This helps ensure continuous supply of product even in the event of a natural disaster or other major event.

Means Engineering, Inc. offers contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. We have the tools, people, and technology needed to help your business succeed. Please contact us for information about our services.

Make Sure You’re Prepared Before Beginning Your Project

September 27, 2019 By meiadmin

Working with a contract manufacturer is one of the smartest moves a business can make. The right CM can help companies design and create a wide range of products while cutting costs, reducing time to market, and improving overall quality of the finished product. While hiring a contract manufacturer can take a lot of stress off your shoulders, it’s important to prepare before beginning a new project. CMs are not mind readers and they will require some work on your part to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Communication is Important

It’s important to ensure clear communication with your CM right from the start. Before hiring a contract manufacturer, make sure you speak to everyone that will be involved with the project. Don’t be afraid to discuss any concerns you have or ask questions about how the project will proceed. It’s equally important to make sure you answer all of the questions your CM has for you. Communication issues can lead to delays and mistakes that could be avoided. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open throughout the entire process from design to completion.

Provide All Necessary Details, Approvals, and Payments When Requested

Utilizing a contract manufacturer can significantly improve time to market. However, it is up to you to ensure hold-ups don’t occur. If your contract manufacturer requests specific details, payment, or they have asked for your approval on material changes or other important aspects of the project, make sure you respond quickly. This helps avoid delays and keeps the project moving on schedule.

Ensure Quality Testing Occurs At All Stages of Production

Quality is extremely important to consumers today. Consumers want to know that the products they purchase perform as expected time and time again. This is especially true for electronic devices and devices created for critical operations.

Quality testing should occur at every stage of production. The contract manufacturer you work with should test every component and part prior to assembly. This helps locate problems sooner before they are able to cause an issue with the finished product. For best results look for an ISO certified contract manufacturer like Means Engineering, Inc.

Understanding the Differences Between Contract Manufacturing and Private Label Manufacturing

September 13, 2019 By meiadmin

Companies often struggle to understand the difference between contract manufacturing and private label manufacturing. While there are some similarities, the two are actually quite different. However, the ultimate goal of both private label and contract manufacturing remains the same; produce high quality products that consumers want to buy.

Private Label Manufacturing

In private label manufacturing, one company makes the products but markets them under another company’s label or brand. The manufacturing company is the owner of the product and retains controls over product specifications, quality, and more.

Contract manufacturing

Contract manufacturing involves the outsourcing of the manufacturing and/or design process to another company. The owner of the company hiring the CM provides all of the necessary product specifications. Unless pre-determined by the company hiring the contract manufacturer, the CM cannot change the product specifications. However, it’s always a good idea to ask if there are ways to improve quality and reduce the costs of manufacturing. The right CM can usually provide insight into improvements to the manufacturing process or product design.

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

Contract manufacturing is the ideal choice for companies looking to reduce risk and maximize operational efficiencies. Contract manufacturing has numerous benefits including:

Reduced costs. Using a contract manufacturer allows companies to create high quality products at a much lower cost than producing the same products in-house. Companies that use a CM do not have to acquire or maintain appropriate staff, space, equipment, or technology.
Lower risk. Production runs are typically made to order for specific quantities.
Access to experienced professionals. Partnering with a contract manufacturer puts you in direct contact with experienced professionals qualified to offer advice on the design and production of a wide range of products.

Private label manufacturing and contract manufacturing both offer numerous benefits for businesses of all shapes and sizes. However, because of lower margins, contract manufacturing is typically the safest bet.

If you have questions about the contract manufacturing process, or you’d like to learn about outsourcing with a quality CM, Means Engineering can help. Please contact us for more information about our services.