PCB Trace Technologies Inc. has emerged as a choice for several electronic OEMs in recent years. Our customers understand the importance of remaining competitive in the market by maintaining a high quality of their products, while keeping their operating costs low.
Manufacturing electronic products is a challenge and the industry operates on several technological evolutions that demand huge investments. OEMs who wish to keep their operating costs low, prefer to not make such investments. Instead, they rely on trusted contract manufacturers like us to keep up the quality.
However, the proliferation of contract manufacturers has made it difficult for OEMs to choose the right one for their business. Moreover, there are several myths that influence the selection. In this post, we are trying to educate the industry on some of such myths.
Myth #1: Contract Manufacturers are Expensive
OEMs maintaining in-house manufacturing facilities spend a substantial amount in operating them. They face many overheads, both direct and indirect. For instance, they must invest in space, stock, equipment, materials, staff, training, and retention. Added to these are maintenance and upgradation costs due to advances in technology and demands from customers.
When OEMs partner with eminent contract manufacturers like PCB Trace Technologies Inc., they get their high-quality products at reasonable prices, without investing in manufacturing facilities and overheads.
Therefore, in reality, your company makes substantial savings.
Myth #2: A Larger CM Provides Better Advantages
This is a general myth that partnering with a larger contract manufacturer is more advantageous as they will offer a better price and quality. Contract manufacturers actually charge based on the complexity of the product they will be manufacturing.
Therefore, selecting a contract manufacturer better suited to meeting your manufacturing requirements will work out more profitable in the long run.
Myth #3: A CM May Not Produce Good Quality Products
It is true that all contract manufacturers are not equal, and some may not possess the technological equipment for making your product. However, when you elect to partner with an experienced contract manufacturer, you not only have access to advanced manufacturing technology, you also have access to their highly skilled personnel, and benefit from the expertise of their product development specialists.
For instance, as an ISO certified contract manufacturing organization, PCB Trace Technologies Inc. ensures carrying out all our activities in complete conformance with national and international standards. We assure our customers of offering the best quality products as we understand the importance of quality in today’s competitive market.
Therefore, select an experienced contract manufacturer to get good quality products.
Myth #4: Lowest Quote Equals Best Price
Even government organizations, earlier staunch supporters of this myth, are overcoming this attitude. Although you may be able to lower a part of your overhead costs with the lowest quote, it may not be the best for your product. It is essential the contract manufacturer offers the best quality along with reasonable prices.
In addition, a low quote may be only the price per unit, while the contract manufacturer includes additional fees and charges in their final bill. At PCB Trace Technologies Inc., we always discuss the total production costs with the customer to help them make their decision.
Therefore, always discuss with the contract manufacturer to obtain a clear visibility on manufacturing and quality costs.
Myth #5: A CM Will Take More Time-to-Market
As an experienced contract manufacturer has the necessary manufacturing processes, has adequate resources and stock, they can ensure that they will manufacture their customer’s products in the desired time-frame. Moreover, they can meet changes in specifications and demand far more quickly and efficiently, as they have substantially higher flexibility compared to in-house production units.
As a highly experienced contract manufacturer, PCB Trace Technologies Inc. offers our customers a broad range of resources, high quality services, and connections that plug into our customers’ manufacturing process. We understand the necessity of our customers to be ahead of their competitors in the market, and we match their time-to-market requirements with our speed.
Therefore, in reality, time-to-market actually improves when OEMs team up with experienced contract manufacturers.
Myth #6: A CM Offering the Least Time-to-Market Is the Best
Although OEMs are in a race for reducing the time-to-market, this may not work out as the key success factors for them. Users prefer to have a good quality product in their hands rather than the latest one.
At PCB Trace Technologies Inc., we try to convince our customers that reducing the time-to-market may not result in quality products and hence better profits. It is much better to follow a balanced approach when manufacturing electronic products.
Myth #7: Never Team Up with a CM That Also Works with Your Competitors
Partly true, but only for OEMs following a proprietary process or a design with intellectual property. Creating a product is possible following a wide range of processes, and your competitors may not be following the same design, materials, or processes as you are.
PCB Trace Technologies Inc. is always ready to offer our customers several opportunities for creating value differentiation, even when we are also working with their competitors.
Myth #8: A CM Will Not Fully Commit to the Product
This myth may have arisen because a contract manufacturer caters to several OEMs. However, a professional contract manufacturer is actually a partner to an OEM, and the service the OEM receives, reflects this status. Offering its dedicated expertise to work on behalf of the OEM, a specialist, experienced contract manufacturer is, in reality, a part of the OEM company.
For instance, PCB Trace Technologies Inc. offers end-to-end services that we fine-tune depending on our customer’s requirements. Therefore, we carry out all our activities conforming to the highest standards, thereby assuring our customers of the highest quality of their products.
Myth #9: A Large CM Offers Better Volume Mix
This is true to a certain extent, as a large contract manufacturer may have better capabilities for fulfilling various volume mixes. However, the definition of high volumes and mixes that a large contract manufacturer has, may not match, or fit everyone’s requirements.
Make sure that the contract manufacturer you have chosen can provide the volume mix that you are looking for.
Myth #10: A Competent CM Can Solve Technical Problems
Although a contract manufacturer may be technically competent, and an OEM may have selected them based on their competency, this may not always be enough. Many OEMs do rely on their contract manufacturers to develop their entire product, this may not be helpful in all cases.
Preferably, OEMs must align their production strategy to include the contract manufacturer in a productive and commercial relationship.
Conclusion
When selecting a contract manufacturer, it is important to check their credentials, capabilities, experience, and other values they offer, rather than allowing myths to influence the decision. PCB Trace Technologies Inc. is one of the leading contract manufacturers in the US, with a large clientele to support its vast manufacturing experience.
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