Rarely do middle-market companies have the same resources available to larger companies which ultimately limits their ability to mimic procedures ...

June 1, 2007 - Investment bank Bear Stearns & Co. releases its interpretation of IPC’s April printed circuit board three (3) month rigid PCB book-to-bill industry survey results.

Companies must take into consideration a number of criteria when expanding their operational footprint. Gain insight into one company's experience that also helped it to remain focused on the bottom line.

Contributing writer Ed Nance writes about lessons learned and what to watch out for when global sourcing managers step up to the task. Read what this experienced sourcing manager has learned from more than 18 years experience, particularly in Asia.

OEM companies engaged in quoting exercises for new product introduction (NPI) business services with contract manufacturers can expect the capable contract manufacturer to carefully lead the OEM through an established and itemized list of NPI product requirements and processes.

While not all contract manufacturers manage purchase orders the same way, the information that follows provides you with a reasonable understanding for what might take place inside most contract manufacturers with regards to issuing; managing, canceling, and filing purchase orders.

In a perfect world, quality is built into the product and technology OEMs and contract manufacturing companies should not need to address product quality issues throughout various phases of the product life cycle. However, until that day comes, managers and executives should implement the following.

Quote pricing and purchase orders are driven by purchasing, programs management, and materials management departments in the contract manufacturer. Read how these functions drive the process and the role of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Lean outsourcing. Think about it. Here are two terms that are, on their face, contradictory. Yet the combination of lean manufacturing and outsourcing is on its way. How is this possible? The answer is two words – Cisco Systems.

While there are a few contract manufacturing companies that have solid lean manufacturing programs either already in place or, underway, developing a true lean culture within large organizations can take years.