ISO 9001 Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Means Engineering, Inc.

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.

How to Present Your Idea to a Contract Manufacturer

January 24, 2020 By meiadmin

Although there are numerous benefits to working with a contract manufacturer, presenting a CM with new ideas can intimidate even the most confident OEM. When pitching an idea, it’s important to do so in a way that encourages the development of a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with the CM. Making the right pitch to a potential outsourcing partner not only helps develop the relationship, it also allows the OEM to practice and refine their pitch for customers and vendors.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

Once a business has an idea, they typically conduct market research to determine how their intended audience perceives their idea. If successful, they must then locate a potential CM to work with.

For best results, OEMs should choose a contract manufacturer with years of experience creating products for a wide range of markets. This helps ensure they have the resources available to expand into new markets. The CM should have the proper equipment, experience, and technology to produce the types of products required.

During the interview process, the OEM should present their idea clearly and concisely. This first impression helps build the foundation for the relationship with the manufacturing partner.

In addition to providing a detailed business plan, it’s a good idea for the OEM to have some questions prepared before the first communication with the CM. Common questions revolve around:

Production minimums
Prototype/sampling process
Turnaround time
Lead times

Once the OEM has clearly presented the idea to the contract manufacturer, the CM will determine the price of the project based on quantity and materials.

Every company has different needs when it comes to timeline, price, experience, and capabilities. These needs often vary from project to project. It’s important that the OEM dedicates an appropriate amount of time and effort into finding the right contract manufacturer. Taking the time now can go a long way towards a successful and long lasting relationship with the CM.

Southern California Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering, Inc. provides a wide range of contract manufacturing services. We have helped many OEMs turn their ideas into reality. Please contact us for more information about our services.

2020 Electronics Manufacturing Trends

January 10, 2020 By meiadmin

As a leading Southern California contract manufacturer, we’ve seen many changes in the electronics manufacturing industry over the past few years. While certain trends have come and gone, others will likely continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Below, we detail the top electronics manufacturing trends that could transform the electronics industry in 2020.

Internet of Things

The manufacturing industry continues to embrace the Internet of Things. Integration of equipment and devices with Internet of Things technology enables cost reduction, product innovation, increased efficiency, and reduced burden on staff. IoT technology automates and simplifies a number of processes, eliminating tasks and the risk of human error.

We expect to see many more businesses in the electronics manufacturing industry implement IoT technology into their business next year.

Predictive Analysis

Several businesses have begun using technology and IoT devices to enable fast detection of potential problems. Manufacturers that utilize predictive technologies catch issues sooner, before they can slow production or lead to costly downtime. In addition to preventing downtime, predictive maintenance reduces maintenance and repair costs.

ERP Systems

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system help keeps manufacturing businesses competitive and lean. The right ERP system can help a manufacturer track inventory and orders in real-time. When provided in the cloud, an ERP system provides instant access to actionable data and reports from any location in the world.

3D Printing

3D printing has gained a lot of popularity over recent years. Manufacturers commonly use 3D printers to create prototypes, enabling designers to troubleshoot and test their products sooner. This increases time to market and provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prototype creation.

Contract Manufacturers

As consumer demand increases, more companies are utilizing the help of contract manufacturers. CMs can help a company produce new products, expand into new markets, and increase the quality of products produced. OEMs, start-ups, and small businesses frequently turn to contract manufacturers to help fulfill periods of high demand. We expect this will continue into 2020.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services designed to help our clients reduce costs and time to market. As an ISO certified contract manufacturer, we understand the need for exceptional service and quality. Please contact us for 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.

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.