Levison Enterprises Blog

Benefits of a Flexible Contract Manufacturing Partner

As recently as a decade ago, the outsourcing relationship between companies and their electronic contract manufacturer looked quite different. Instead of engaging in a symbiotic relationship, most were based on one holding an advantage over the other, usually in the areas of price. Both used costs as a way to drive their bottom line, instead of emphasizing the benefits each could offer each other. Relationships typically evolve over time, and today's outsourcing market looks very different. Fighting each other on pricing was nickel and diming both the OEM side and the ECM side to the bottom. In its stead, many companies have found new ways to work together that benefit both companies.

Expectations of a Robust ECM Supply Chain Management Process

A solid ECM will already have a counterfeit electronic component detection and avoidance plan in place. After all, a healthy supply chain is vital to your company's success, and your ECM knows that. You can't run the risk of any issues falling between the cracks. Meanwhile, counterfeit electronic components continue to be a big problem. This is why many are turning to electronic manufacturing partners for their expertise in supply chain management.

Understanding Parts Obsolescence in Avionics

As technology and innovation have advanced hand-in-hand, their speed has also increased. The old joke that your new computer was obsolete the moment you opened the box still stands decades after the personal computer industry began. Avionics has its own obsolescence issues, though the differences between the aerospace industry and your new laptop are obvious. While it’s easy to say they both include electronics, it’s feasible to run out and purchase a new laptop that takes advantage of new components and technology. That's not so easily done with a Boeing 737.

Debunking 7 Myths in Electronic Contract Manufacturing

Just like in any situation requiring teamwork, putting the right players around you can mean all the difference between success and failure. When it comes to choosing an electronic contract manufacturer (ECM), there are rarely shortcuts to finding the right company to partner with. That doesn't mean many haven't tried to distill the decision-making process down to some assumptions that either haven't been updated for today's world, or were just flat wrong to begin with. The bottom line is that finding the right ECM partner requires a good amount of research and thought.

OEMs Talk About Why They Outsource

Outsourcing makes a lot of sense in terms of efficiency, reduced costs, and perhaps most importantly, accessing specialized knowledge, abilities, and processes. While those that produce everything in-house like to hang their hat on it, there are a number of reasons why smart companies have opted to share production with specialized outside companies. In this age of innovation and technology, business moves at a speed never before seen in history. That has led to the proliferation of what some consider a dirty word - outsourcing. In today's marketplace, almost anything can be outsourced, from research and design to component manufacturing. These tasks can be handled by a trusted partner that offers certain benefits to your project.

Avoid Common Mistakes When Choosing an ECM Partner

The process of choosing an electronic contract manufacturer (ECM) can make or break your project depending on who you hire. The right manufacturing partner can be a dream come true. However, the wrong ECM can result in missed deadlines, faulty products, lots of frustrations, and worse - a tarnished reputation for you. When considering outsourcing, you want an ECM that makes your life easier and takes your project in the right direction. Here are some common mistakes in choosing a manufacturing partner and how you can avoid them.

Staying Ahead of Electronic Component Shortages

The biggest contributing factor behind the electronic component shortages is simply demand out-weighing supply. If you’ve found yourself stressed about the global electronic component shortage, you are not alone. The situation is becoming even harder to navigate. However, just because there’s a shortage doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead of the game. You need to know what factors are causing it and what the scope of the global effects are. It’s time to rethink your strategy. The process starts by working together with your electronic contract manufacturing partner.

Common Applications for Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards

More and more is expected from printed circuit boards as technology evolves. There is demand for smaller, lighter, and more powerful PCBs for a wide variety of applications. Enter multilayer printed circuit boards. Multilayer PCBs are a game changer for electronic manufacturers. These compact boards' dense design allow for electronics to pack a powerful punch in a tiny footprint.

Is Your Electronic Manufacturing Partner Ready For Your Project?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to partnering with an electronic contract manufacturer. So, how do you know the electronic contract manufacturer (ECM) you choose will be ready for the challenge of your project? The best way to avoid partnering with an ECM who isn’t capable of successfully managing and manufacturing your product is by looking for indicators that DO make them the right choice.

Partnering with a Domestic ECM Can Save You Money

There seems to be a common thought that partnering with an overseas electronic contract manufacturer can save you money. That misconception is just that...and far from the truth. In fact, partnering with a domestic ECM can save you much more money in the long run. There is a long list of reasons, all of which should have you looking here at home in the good old US of A for your next manufacturing partner.

Quality Assurance Matters When Partnering With an ECM

More and more companies are turning to outsourced manufacturing to save money and reduce time to market. But outsourcing to an electronic contract manufacturer should not equal compromising your commitment to quality. Quality control can be a big indicator of whether or not you have found the right company to trust your manufacturing to. After all, quality assurance matters when partnering with an ECM.

Understanding the "Why" Behind Parts Obsolescence in Medical Device Manufacturing

It is no secret that parts obsolescence is a major concern in the electronic industry. But the problem of obsolete and hard to find components seems to be compounded when it comes to medical device manufacturing. Medical device manufacturing comes with its own unique set of qualifications. The concern with parts obsolescence for electronic medical devices is equally as unique. But in order to begin to combat the problem, you must first fully understand it.