Electronic OEM equipment manufacturers want to sleep at night knowing their contract electronics provider partner is taking care of the OEM’s business interests, yet every industry has its risks and the contract electronics industry is no different. Risks for contract …
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Trends & Observations
Unplugged: Examining reasons behind financial woes facing some contract electronics solutions providers
Identify gaps in manufacturing supplier performance tools, systems and metrics
To identify gaps in your contract electronics supplier management tools, systems, and metrics, and to more clearly track and communicate individual outsourcing program progress and supplier performance, focus on the following processes and procedures: Identify key metrics you want to …
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Manufacturing inventory metrics to avoid costly production mistakes
Focusing on the most challenging segment of the purchase order-to-warehouse sequence of events can vary depending on the specific manufacturing supply chain situation and industry. However, one common challenge that many manufacturers face is managing inventory levels effectively. Inventory management …
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From China to…where? Apple’s struggle to relocate iPhone manufacturing supply chain
It is technically possible for Apple to shift iPhone production entirely out of China to another nation or combination of nations within a five-year timeframe, but it will be a highly complex and challenging process for a variety of …
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20 Ways electronics manufacturers can improve manufacturing supply chain resiliency
In no particular order, below, these suggestions are not mutually exclusive and multiple strategies can be used to improve supply chain resiliency. (Request: 19 Questions for better contracts electronics supplier development) Diversify your suppliers, distributors and sources of raw materials …
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Ways to protect profit erosion for electronics equipment manufacturers
Below are some of the way electronics equipment manufacturers can protect against profit erosion and while maintaining a strong position in the market. (Read about new product launch costs vs product upgrade costs, here) Investing in research and development can …
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Acquiring success: The latest trends in contract electronics mergers and acquisitions
Many contract manufacturers in the hyper-competitive middle market contract electronics industry continue to face increasing pressures on various fronts. Whether from problems associated with finding customers, followed by challenges retaining and growing those customer programs (most top-line industry growth is …
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How electronics manufacturing product companies can avoid intellectual property violations and litigation
Manufacturers can avoid intellectual property (IP) litigation by taking a number of steps. By simply conducting thorough intellectual property (IP) due diligence, this can help ensure manufactured electronics products do not infringe on the patents, trademarks, or copyrights of other …
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Equipment pricing strategy: How currency exchange rates impact manufacturing costs
Currency exchange rates can have a significant impact on manufacturing costs for electronics companies that import raw materials, components, or finished goods from other countries. When the value of a foreign currency decreases, compared to the manufacturer’s domestic currency, the …
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How to build costing modelers for contract electronics quote pricing analysis
How much should we pay for contract electronics fees and services for our program? How do we determine program total landed cost? How much of the quoted pricing for CM fees and services goes straight to CM profit? How can …
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