Although contract electronics manufacturing has been used by industry giants for decades, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are just beginning to work with electronics manufacturing service providers (EMS). Unrealistic expectations and misunderstandings about the nature and capabilities of such collaboration are gradually leading to the emergence of certain myths about contract electronics manufacturing. This article is intended to help you identify such misconceptions so that they do not affect your partnership with a contract manufacturer.
Myths that prevent OEMs from working with contract manufacturers
Many OEMs do not even try to co-operate with EMS because they are convinced that this option is out of the question for them.
This misbelief is prevalent among original equipment manufacturers of complex devices, who are certain that this form of collaboration is only suitable for simple tasks. Certainly, there are EMS providers that specialize in manufacturing simpler products, however, there are also companies that can tackle different projects. For instance, Polish company Assel not only manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) but also offers services for complete electromechanical assemblies and offers both High-Mix/Low-Volume production and Low-Mix/High-Volume production.
Moreover, the idea of delegating electronics manufacturing to a contractor is about simplifying the manufacturing process for OEMs who do not need to invest time and money in building their own production facilities and assembling a team of qualified employees.
Despite the fact that large OEMs have successfully outsourced electronics manufacturing thousands of miles from their production facilities, some companies still shy away from using EMS because they believe service providers must be in proximity. In reality, a clear strategy for collaboration, smooth communication, and supply chain management delegated to an EMS provider make it possible to start production virtually in any part of the world.
Myths created by exaggerated expectations of OEMs
Working with an EMS provider can become a source of frustration even when the contractor does everything perfectly. The problem then lies in an OEM’s unrealistic expectations.
To avoid such unpleasant situations, an OEM should understand that a contractor is responsible only for certain tasks related to manufacturing. The job of most of them is to manufacture products according to the OEM’s exact specifications. For this reason, a contractor cannot be held responsible for unexpected failures caused by the design of the device or any issues occurring on the market due to a poor business model.
It is crucial to clarify expectations at the very beginning to understand which of them your EMS provider is capable to meet.
Myths that may make you choose a wrong EMS provider
Some OEMs choose their contractors based on the size of the facility, believing that it determines competence and technical advancement. However, this is not a rule, because there are many large companies with outdated infrastructure and technology just as there are many large EMS providers who do not have time to treat their customers with a personalised approach. In addition to it, decision-making in small companies takes less time while such enterprises are less susceptible to corporate and investment fluctuations.
Other OEMs look only at technology, ignoring other key factors such as production, quality, and supply chain management.
Finally, some OEMs focus too much on time-to-market, forgetting that rapid production can jeopardise the quality of the product if there are no proper management systems in place at the company.
The choice of a contractor should never be based on a single criterion, as the best results are achieved when several criteria are taken into account.
Learn more about EMS, to find the best solution
Although experienced OEMs are perfectly aware of the myths mentioned above, it is natural to be confused about working with an EMS provider when you are just starting to delegate work to contractors. In this case, you need a professional contractor to provide you with clear and trustworthy information. If you need such a companion for your project, visit: https://asselems.com/en/what-is-electronics-manufacturing-services-ems
