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Getting Ahead of Component Shortages

June 12, 2020 By meiadmin

Recent events have put much of the world on hold. This includes many of the manufacturers of the components used to create a number of electronic devices and widgets. While many manufacturers have returned to business as normal, component shortages could still pose a problem as everyone scrambles to catch up. It’s important that OEMs learn how to deal with potential shortages both now and in the future.

Component shortages occur for several reasons. Before taking any steps to remedy issues with the component supply chain, organizations must first understand the factors responsible for the current shortage. OEMs can then make an informed decision about how to best handle the situation.

Purchase Components in Advance

Organizations need to make sure they have sufficient cash flow to pay for components in advance. Some components have lead times up to fifty weeks. Purchasing in advance can save organizations a lot of trouble on future projects.

Utilize Trusted Partners

Today’s markets change rapidly. Many manufacturers have begun prioritizing larger customers. It’s important to make sure your organization has the resources to fulfill large orders, especially during periods of high demand.

Understand Potential Lead Times

Certain components may have lead times up to fifty weeks. This can cause delays when bringing products to market. It’s important that OEMs learn as much as they can about potential lead times so they can better understand the types of delays they may face in the future. Armed with the right information, OEMs can provide the best options to their customers.

Transparency during the production process is important to the overall success of any project. A quality CM provides clear answers about component delays and the reasons behind them.

Forecast Component Needs

Creating a forecast of component needs ensures everyone has a clear understanding of the project requirements. This keeps everyone on the same page and ensures the CM knows what is expected and when.

Southern California CM

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and other organizations looking to increase quality and reduce time to market. Our team has years of experience and understands what works and what doesn’t when it comes to electronic component design. 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.

Testing Materials

August 16, 2019 By meiadmin

Consumers today expect high quality products that perform as expected time and time again. Unfortunately, companies often struggle to meet consumer demand.

Testing finished products helps catch potential problems that consumers might experience after purchase. However, testing shouldn’t only take place at the end of production. Testing each component throughout production helps catch issues sooner when they are easier to fix.

Regular testing provides important information about materials, prototypes, and product samples. This information can help engineers, designers, and production managers meet the requirements of regulatory agencies, evaluate product design, and verify a production process.

Proving Compliance

Products used in critical applications such as those used by the medical, aerospace, and defense industries must meet extremely strict requirements for both quality and reliability. This is because failure of these products could cause harm or affect the livelihood of the people that use them.

In order to prevent problems, government agencies set compliance guidelines that manufacturers must meet prior to sale. Companies responsible for the creation of certain products must adhere to these guidelines which include test procedures used to prove compliance.

Material Testing

The quality of materials used is as, if not more important, than the processes used to produce new products. With so many different types of materials available, it can be extremely difficult to know which type is best for each application or use. Testing materials helps manufacturers determine whether a specific material is appropriate for its intended application. This can have a significant impact on the quality and reliability of finished products.

Design Improvements

Regular testing helps locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This might include a simple change of material type, or it could mean changing the design completely. It’s much better to make these changes before or during production than waiting until you’re faced with a defective product or prototype.

There are several different ways to test products and materials. The method used depends on the intended use of the finished product.

Working with a quality contract manufacturer ensures testing takes places and potential issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. This helps prevent defective products which can lead to costly returns and/or recalls. Please contact us to learn about our testing policies.

How Outsourcing Can Give You a Competitive Edge

May 3, 2019 By meiadmin

Working with a contract manufacturer is an excellent way to cut costs on production. However, this shouldn’t be your only focus. The right contract manufacturer can provide your company with the competitive edge you need to excel in your industry. There are numerous benefits to outsourcing if you’re able to properly leverage the value of your manufacturing partner.

Free Up Resources

Companies spend a significant amount of time and money producing new products. Outsourcing part or all of your production helps free up your resources. This allows you to focus on what really matters; growing your business.

Improve Time to Market

Thanks to advances in technology, consumers expect new products at an alarming rate. Many companies find it difficult to meet consumer demand. Outsourcing increases operational efficiency and reduces the time it takes to bring new products to market. This allows you to react faster to consumer demand, putting you ahead of your competition and increasing consumer trust and loyalty in your brand.

Improve Quality

Quality is extremely important to consumers today. Outsourcing helps improve the quality of finished products. During the design process, a contract manufacturer can help locate areas of your design that could benefit from improvement. This further reduces the cost of production and results in a better quality product. Your contract manufacturer will fully test all components throughout production to ensure their proper operation.

Expand Into New Markets

A quality contract manufacturer has years of experience working with several different industries. This provides you with access to the right tools, resources, technology, and knowledge to expand into new markets.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing can provide your business with numerous benefits. In addition to cutting costs, the right contract manufacturer can help your business improve its chance of success. This is especially important in today’s competitive world.

Means Engineering, Inc. has years of experience working with a wide range of industries to provide a variety of services. From design to production, our team is well prepared to help your business succeed. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

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.