Electronic Devices Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

Avoiding Contract Manufacturing Issues

January 22, 2021 By cscheafer

Contract manufacturing provides numerous benefits. Utilizing the help of an experienced contract manufacturer allows businesses to produce high quality products faster and at a lower price than producing them in-house. Contract manufacturing also helps large organizations fulfill periods of high demand.

While contract manufacturing provides many benefits, it’s not without risk. Certain issues can arise during the manufacturing process. It’s important that OEMs understand these issues and learn how to effectively minimize their impact or avoid them altogether.

Supply Chain Issues

Many organizations experience supply chain issues when working with a contract manufacturer. While OEMs have complete control over the types of parts used when producing products in-house, they give up this control when they enlist the help of a CM.

Business owners can eliminate supply chain issues by working with a reputable and experienced contract manufacturer. It’s important that leaders discuss their needs and requirements during the initial call with the CM. This can help avoid problems in the future.

Quality Controls

Another issue, outsourcing reduces the amount of control OEMs have over quality. Working with an inexperienced CM can have dire consequences to the finished product. It’s crucial that OEMs locate an experienced CM with solid quality control practices in place. It’s also advised that leaders work with a CM with experience producing products for their industry. This is especially true for industries with strict regulations and requirements like aerospace and defense.

Intellectual Property Risks

Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer gives them access to the business’s intellectual property. It’s important that OEMs and inventors patent their idea before speaking with a contract manufacturer. Once the appropriate patents are in place, the inventor should explain the conditions and details of how the CM can use the patented information. It’s also important to have the contract manufacturer sign a licensing agreement prior to starting any work on the project.

Communication

Many OEMs experience issues with communication. This is especially true when outsourcing production to another country. It’s crucial that OEMs have a clear and open line of communication throughout the entire project.

During the interview process, OEMs should ensure the CM fully understands the project. Providing detailed schematics, blueprints, and other supporting documents can help the CM better understand what is needed.

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to inventors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large organizations. Please contact us for information about our services.

Manufacturing Trends for 2021

January 8, 2021 By cscheafer

2020 brought massive change for businesses in almost every industry. For manufacturers, the global pandemic had serious consequences for those that relied on parts and components produced overseas. As many businesses around the world halted operations, manufacturers in the U.S. found it difficult to continue their normal operations. Several OEMs utilized the help of U.S. based contract manufacturers to fulfill orders and keep up with demand.

Deemed an essential business by the United States government, manufacturers in the U.S. have done everything they can to stay afloat throughout these uncertain times. Many manufacturers even increased production to fulfill large orders for essential electronics and other medically necessary devices.

Localized Production

As mentioned above, many manufacturers have already made the switch to U.S. based production. Many more will probably follow suit in the coming months as business owners become increasingly worried about trade wars and tariffs threatening global supply chains.

There are many benefits of moving production closer to the customer. Benefits include quicker time to market, lower working capital, and increased resiliency. Although it will take more time for larger manufacturers to move production to the U.S., it’s expected we’ll see major strides to do so throughout the year.

Factory Floors Becoming Digital

As manufacturers look for ways to prevent downtime, it’s likely they’ll adopt more automation technology. Robots, sensors, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing will all play a part in the digitization of the factory floor.

Manufacturers Will Meet Rising Consumer Demand

With so many people home, ecommerce sales are at an all time high. As consumer demand rises, manufacturers are expected to utilize contract manufacturing and advanced technology to keep up with demand.

Increased Investment in the Workforce

Despite increased use of automation, manufacturers will invest more in their workforce in 2021. Robots and other technology create higher paying jobs. Over the next few years, manufacturers will likely offer more training and education to factory workers in an effort to empower them to take on more responsibilities on the factory floor.

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services in Carlsbad, CA. Our comprehensive services include design services, production, and testing of a wide range of products and devices. Please contact us for information about our services.

Electronic Contract Manufacturing Trends

January 1, 2021 By cscheafer

It’s not uncommon for American companies and OEMs to enlist the help of electronic contract manufacturers. Depending on the needs of the company that hires them, ECMs assist with design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Larger companies often hire electronic contract manufacturers to help fulfill periods of high demand. Small companies, start-ups, and entrepreneurs may utilize an ECM for all parts of production or to launch a new product.

Demand for Electronics Contract Manufacturing Continues to Rise

Every year, it seems like more companies find unique ways to utilize the help of electronic contract manufacturers. According to a study recently conducted by Polaris Market, the electronic contract manufacturing services market is expected to reach $554.2 billion by the year 2026. This is thanks in part to rising competition in the electronics industry and intense pressure to reduce costs.

OEMs turn to electronic contract manufacturers to help locate ways to improve quality and reduce the costs of production. By working directly with an ECM, OEMs gain access to experienced professionals and state-of-the-art equipment and technology. This can give them an edge in their market.

Consumers Want Longer Product Lifespan

When it comes to electronic devices, consumers want products that last a long time. These devices often cost a significant amount of money and having to replace a product every year just doesn’t make much sense. ECMs continue to search for ways to extend product lifespan.

Features & Functionality

It seems like new electronics hit the shelves every few months. The features and functionality of these products remains one of the top factors that consumers consider before making a purchase. However, it’s not just about adding more features, OEMs must develop products with smart features that add value and make the life of the consumer easier. Experienced ECMs know how to create high quality devices with useful features.

Quality and Safety Improvements

New regulations and requirements for certain industries are shaping the way that ECMs create new products. Organizations responsible for the creation of devices for the medical, aerospace, and defense industries must use special equipment and technology to ensure compliance. As a result, electronic devices are getting safer and more robust than previously possible.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services to organizations and OEMs across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for information about our services.

Understanding the Difference Between Private Label and Contract Manufacturing

December 26, 2020 By cscheafer

Despite the differences, many people believe that Private Label and Contract Manufacturing are the same. Both forms of manufacturing are prevalent in numerous industries. Each has its own benefits. When looking to outsource, organizations must decide which solution works better for their situation and business.

Private Label Manufacturing

A Private Label Manufacturer provides organizations with products marketed under the brand name or label of the company that partners with them. With this type of manufacturing, the manufacturer retains control over the product, including its specifications and quality.

Private Label Manufacturers often sell low-cost alternatives to popular products branded as the company that hires them. This makes it possible for big box stores to offer their own brand beside other well-known brands.

Contract Manufacturing

Contract Manufacturing involves outsourcing the manufacturing process to another company. Contract Manufacturers do not own the product and cannot change the specifications without prior approval from the company that hires them.

Benefits of Private Label

Private Label allows stores to offer their own brand at a lower price point than other, more popular brands. This can improve sales and increase consumer respect for store brands. With Private Label, organizations do not need to worry about developing design plans or tweaking formulas.

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

Utilizing the help of a Contract Manufacturer allows organizations to produce high quality products that meet their exact specifications and requirements. Using a Contract Manufacturer costs less than producing products in-house. It also puts organizations in reach of experienced professionals. CMs often provide advice and guidance, allowing OEMs to improve product quality and reduce time to market.

Final Thoughts

Both Private Label and Contract Manufacturing allow organizations to bring quality products to market. While Private Label does not allow the purchaser to modify or change the product, Contract Manufacturing enables companies to produce products to their own specifications. Having control over the production process allows organizations to adjust to meet the needs of consumers.

The type of manufacturing an organization chooses will depend on numerous factors. Organizations should fully evaluate their needs before making a decision.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services to organizations and OEMs across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for information about our services.

Using a Contract Manufacturer to Turn Ideas Into Reality

December 18, 2020 By cscheafer

Entrepreneurs and inventors come up with new ideas all the time. Although many of these ideas could potentially improve quality of life for people around the world, most never make it off the drawing board.

Creating new products takes a lot of time and money. Inventors must obtain the right amount of space, people, equipment, and technology to produce products in-house. They also need to ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations. This often requires obtaining ISO certification. It is for these reasons and more that many inventors believe that they simply do not have the resources needed to turn their ideas into reality. Fortunately, entrepreneurs and inventors have another option.

Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer not only gets ideas off the ground, it can help ensure the quality and consistency of products produced. This can make even start-ups look like they’ve been in business for decades.

Product Design

Before contacting a contract manufacturer, it’s important that inventors put together their design plans. Using CAD software is the easiest way to create drawings to share with others. It’s also important that inventors consider the types of materials they’d like to use to create their product.

The contract manufacturer you choose will review the design plans and make suggestions. It’s important to listen to these suggestions as they could improve the quality of the finished product or reduce the costs involved with its creation.

Locate an Experienced Contract Manufacturer

When searching for a contract manufacturer, inventors should look for a CM with experience working with the type of product they’d like to produce. If the product contains electrical or mechanical components, the inventor will want to find an experienced electrical contract manufacturer (ECM).

Expect the Unexpected

Even the simplest design can run into problems during production. It might be impossible to procure parts or there could be problems with the design. While these issues might seem like a major problem, the contract manufacturer has probably dealt with similar issues before. They’re well positioned to make suggestions to keep the project moving in the right direction.

Working Towards Mass Production

Once inventors have a fully functional prototype, they can start thinking about moving to production. The right contract manufacturer can provide advice and guidance as inventors take this important step.

Means Engineering provides a variety of contract manufacturing services. Please contact us for details.