Dell's recent Austin closure and plans for improved operating costs are no doubt influenced by a move to a an outsourcing model that …
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Materials Management
Outsourcing’s influence on Dell’s manufacturing overhaul
The EMS business forecast – A tale of two scenarios
This outlook is based in part on the macroeconomic forecast data available through mid-February, which formed our most likely scenario: the U.S. would …
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China’s risk: Bubbles burst, that’s what they do
Combined, all of these issues, and many others are becoming fault lines in the foundation that has allowed China to recover from the economic …
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Acquisition gives Flextronics expanded global footing and capabilities
Until recently, Flextronics’ largest market segment was mobile phones, which accounted for over 30% of revenue. With the acquisition of Solectron this changes the entire landscape of the EMS, and ODM, industries.
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Taking the pulse of EMS
While internal, defensive, cost-control issues dominated the companies’ reports; most firms also …
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Cost analysis and the teardown
I am skeptical about the accuracy of cost analysis teardowns. Normally, list prices for components (the figure used in the analysis report) are …
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Lower intellectual property (IP) risk outsourcing electronics manufacturing
One common error is most executives feel something is not patentable. It is also Some advanced tactics used by IP-savvy companies and executives include conducting ‘directed invention …
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RoHS one year later: The good news is…the bad news was wrong
Tin-lead solder has 100 years of reliability data history and is a tough act to follow. Right now, the biggest threat to the electronics industry and electrical and electronics equipment is …
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Mid-tier companies manage supply chains differently
Rarely do middle-market companies have the same resources available to larger companies which ultimately limits their ability to mimic procedures …
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15 Lessons from a global sourcing manager
China is not the only low cost solution. China has become a ‘buzz word’ for many companies. Sourcing managers must be prepared to objectively inform company management whenever it is determined the company should not go to China on a particular component; sub-assembly, or product program.
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