VentureOutsource.com, in partnership with IDC’s electronics manufacturing research initiative, presents exclusively for VentureOutsource.com readers, 7 strategy essentials for success in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and original design manufacturing (ODM) marketplace.
Changes in the credit markets amid a worldwide recession; strategic business models to drive ROIC and protect margins, definitive value propositions and more are just some of the essential guidelines EMS and ODM companies should clearly look into should executives want to remain competitive in this hyper-competitive marketplace.
We are entering a period of economic disruption and EMS / ODM companies need to take steps to address this situation.
Fallout from the US home financing meltdown and a general credit crunch will disrupt markets, despite the growth seen in the first half of 2008. EMS / ODMs need to identify weaknesses in their portfolios, speed up reorganization plans, and otherwise prepare for weaker demand, especially from consumer-oriented markets in the short-term, without causing undue pain for OEMs.
Purchasing activities should be monitored closely along with inventory levels. Projects with long lead-times are particularly risky in terms of growing inventories from weakening demand.
Given the falling value of the dollar, among other factors, offshoring production is likely not the answer to this slowdown. While moving production offshore helped the EMS industry weather the fallout from the dotcom crisis and the last recession, most production that can be moved to lower cost locations has already been sent offshore.
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Also, demand in key end-markets in Asia may be at risk from rising inflation and lower exports due to weak demand from the US and Europe as a result of the financial crisis in the US. As we enter this period of economic disruption, EMS / ODMs need to take steps to address this situation, such as:
1. The current economic disruption reinforces the need for EMS / ODMs to evaluate current product and customer portfolios
With a likely economic disruption, this may be an appropriate time for EMS / ODMs to evaluate their product and customer portfolios. Clients and the products EMS / ODMs manufacture for these clients largely determine financial success.
OEMs with products enjoying success in the market place are critical. EMS / ODMs need to determine which OEMs are likely to succeed in the coming years and do their best to keep these clients and win business from other likely successful OEMs. They should also look to expand relationships to win production for additional products, if they make sense within the EMS / ODMs business model.
For other OEMs that may be facing a more difficult time, EMS / ODMs should be looking at these relationships and determining whether these programs are achieving profitability goals. If not, EMS / ODMs may need to renegotiate terms to bring them in line with goals.
What is key is the relationship between the EMS / ODM and the team at the OEM?
While terms can be adjusted to reflect the performance of individual products, maintaining the relationship works for both parties. The OEM knows the risks of working with the specific EMS / ODM and does not need to go through the painful process of searching for new partners. EMS / ODMs can reap existing relationships for future opportunities, reducing the cost of sales.
Also by investing in relationships, as executives move to new organizations, the EMS / ODM can find a way into new customers. Relationships can also pay off in the long run.
If the OEM switches to another EMS / ODM partner and runs into problems, they may switch back to their previous EMS / ODM partner.
2. EMS / ODMs must ensure their strategy, business model, and operations are aligned with each other
To achieve ROIC goals and to maximize profitability, EMS / ODMs must ensure their investment agendas; operational footprints, organizational structures, and business models are aligned with their corporate strategies. The most critical element appears to entail identifying what their strategy actually is, which then identifies what part of the market they play in, which will then tend to determine the appropriate vertical integration strategies, global footprint, and business model.
These factors influence marketing activities and the types of business relationships they maintain, including which customers to service and which customers to walk away from, even if in the short term it means passing up on business opportunities.
As these factors align, it becomes easier to identify needed skills and technologies companies should invest in.
Without alignment, investments will be squandered and organizations will continue to flounder, despite revenue growth.
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