6 things to look for in a contract electronics manufacturing provider

The process of introducing an electronic product is an enormous task. The journey will be complicated since the first flicker of an idea to the final product in the hands of a customer. Another most important choice you will make in this process is the choice of the partner with whom you are going to build your device. When it comes to the contract electronics manufacturing or CEM supplier, it is not merely a matter of locating a factory, but rather a partner that will be regarded as part of you. The appropriate partner can make the production process leaner, less expensive and produce quality. The misfit can be followed by the delayed shipments, technical issues, and the damaged image.

Assuming that you are considering partners at this point in time, here are six key points to remember:

Experience and Reputation in the industry

The track record is the first thing that should be evaluated. What is their duration in business? Are they experienced in production of products of the same kind as yours? A consumer gadget contract electronics manufacturing provider may not be knowledgeable of regulations of medical devices or aerospace components.

Identify case studies, request references and study their reputation within the industry. The stability and reliability history of a provider is much more stable than that of a newcomer even in the case when the latter may have slightly cheaper initial quotes.

Quality Certifications and Standards

Quality is not only a buzzword but also a necessity in the manufacturing of electronics. You must make sure that your partner complies with accepted international standards.

At least, search ISO 9001 certification which proves the adherence to quality management systems. You may require additional certification depending on your business, e.g. ISO 13485 of medical devices or AS9100 of aerospace. Inquire about their testing, inspection equipment and their defective treatment. Strong quality assurance program will save you money in the long term since you will not spend money on recalls.

Supply Chain Management Capabilities

Electronics supply chain throughout the world can be unpredictable. There are always threats of component shortages, shipping delays and obsolescence. A leading provider of CEM will possess a powerful procurement department and contacts with distributors of components.

Request the potential partners, how they manage the supply chain disruptions. Is their counterfeit avoidance policy? Do they provide life-cycle management in order to warn you of end-of-life (EOL) parts? A partner that has a high supply chain intelligence will ensure that your production line is not stalled when others are stuck.

Engineering Support and DFM

The greatest manufacturing partners do not simply put the parts together; they assist you to make the product better. Find a supplier which provides Design for Manufacturing (DFM).

DFM is the process of looking at your design and understanding what might go wrong in the manufacturing process prior to the commencement of production. Their engineers may propose minor design changes or other parts that make the product simpler, quicker and cheaper to assemble without compromising the quality. This proactive assistance usually is what makes the difference in a vendor and a partner.

Scalability & Flexibility

What you need to-day may not be what you need to-morrow. You might be initially doing a small quantity of prototypes, and then you will increase to mass production in a year. Is the CEM capable of managing that growth?

On the other hand, are they flexible enough not to downgrade in response to demand variation without subjecting you to undue punishment? You must have a man who will develop along with you. Negotiate on their capacity limits and lead times to make them meet your long term business objectives.

Fit Culture and Fit Communication

Lastly, do not ever underestimate the human factor. The process of manufacturing is one where there is continuous communication in terms of a schedule, engineering modifications, and unexpected difficulties. You must have a team that is responsive, transparent and easy to collaborate with.

Where possible, go to their plant. An in-person meeting with the team will provide an overview on the culture of their company. innovative, clean, and well-organized shop floors are common characteristics of a well-managed business. When you are feeling like a mere number in the sales process, then it cannot be expected that it will improve when it gets into production.

Conclusion

The choice of a contract electronics manufacturing or CEM partner is a strategic choice that will influence the quality of your product, the cost of the product, and the time to market. With paying attention to experience, quality standards, strength of the supply chain, engineering support, scalability, and communication, you will be able to weed out the wrong matches and get a partner who is ready to make you succeed.

Now make time to take your due diligence. The extensive choice procedure forms the basis of a long-term, effective manufacturing alliance.

Read more: Important certifications of contract electronic manufacturers