If you’re in the electronics industry, you know that one of the biggest challenges of being successful is keeping your price point low. You can have the best product on the market, but if it’s a lot more expensive than something with slightly less impressive specifications, chances are that you’re not going to do so well. This need to keep the cost of consumer electronics low is one of the main reasons why the globalized electronic manufacturing service industry has exploded over the last couple of years.
As statistics from IBIS World, a well known research firm, show, global demand for electronics manufacturers has ballooned the industry into a $226 billion a year powerhouse, supporting more than 12,000 firms spread across the world. While the sheer volume of electronic manufacturing companies means you’ll have no trouble finding a contractor, it also means that finding the best of the best for your company can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
How to Narrow Down Your Choices for Electronics Manufacturing Companies
- Look at Each Company’s QC Process
- Choose a Company That Can Work from Your Current Stage
- What Steps Do They Take to Nurture Your Relationship?
- Know What Regions Can Provide Your Desired Volume
The very first thing you need to consider when outsourcing electronics manufacturing is the quality control process of each service. Does the company pass your specs down to the assembly line and then remain hands off, or do they check your product at each step along the way to ensure the final result is up to your standards? This should be a no-brainer.
As the financial giant Intuit suggests, not every manufacturer will work with you from the same stage. Some require a finished prototype before they’ll even consider a partnership with your company. Others are happy to help take your latest and greatest from concept to finished product. Really dig in deep when doing your research on electronic manufacturing companies to find out where your product needs to be for a company to consider working with you.
CBS News recently told the story of an American company that, after 20 years of partnership with their manufacturer, was suddenly let go without warning. This is why choosing a company that makes investments in its clients is so crucial. Find out from the start whether your manufacturer schedules regular meetings with you to build and foster a healthy working relationship. The best electronic manufacturing companies will make sure to visit your headquarters and they’ll help you do the same, whether they’re in your backyard or on the other side of the world.
Many companies buy in to the misconception that every region in the world offers manufacturers that are equally skilled in producing high volumes of product. Entrepreneur dispels this notion by pointing out that China and India are well known for their ability to pump out huge volumes of product at low costs. Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, on the other hand, are a lot better at meeting smaller orders. Here is yet another reason to know exactly what you need.
Do you have experience working with electronics contract manufacturing companies? What tips would you give others searching for a new manufacturer? Share your expertise with us in a comment below. Ger more information on this topic here: www.paceelectronics.com