Well-done high-mix, low-cost EMS work requires strong process engineering, good systems and infrastructure, and experienced management talent. Many EMS companies, particularly in low-volume / high-mix are continuing to lose money …
Read more
Product Design, Development
Chasing EMS value with low-volume / high-mix
Mobile phones: Troubled contract manufacturing?
When the economy is strong and market demand is good, this model will help an EMS provider grow because economies of scale can be leveraged and the manufacturing business and the component business can …
Read more
Taiwan IC Design: Netbook opportunities, challenges
Nonetheless, this may not necessarily be viewed as negative for Taiwan fabless companies as the lower IC content should be offset by Taiwan’s nearly 100% market share of the netbook market compared to …
Read more
Electronics manufacturing services value is not cost reductions
Real problem with EMS industry is inability to effectively communicate its value proposition. Pressure on EMS firms relates to the mistaken belief the core value proposition of outsourced manufacturing is cost reductions.
Read more
Playbook for IP patent competitive intelligence and better business decisions
Many executives mistakenly do not treat intellectual property (IP) as an asset. Value such as insight into trade secrets and potential competing products can be extracted from competitors when executives …
Read more
Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) on innovation and failure
We rub elbows with Richard Notargiacomo, a former product development manager with Eastman Kodak and now the chairman and president of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). PDMA is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with the mission to improve the effectiveness of people engaged in developing and managing new products, covering new goods…
Read more
7 Potholes along the REACH road to global supply chains
REACH is a major driver for a more integrated approach to compliance with entire supply chains coming together to facilitate ..
Read more
Former IKEA exec Goran Carstedt on corporate change and why HR fails
Creating is very different from problem solving. In problem solving, we seek to make something we do not want to go away. In creation, we seek to make something we truly care about to come into existence. That implies a very different way of thinking. We need to use back-casting from sustainability principles, because forecasting…
Read more
REACH: Seven (7) steps to better pre-registration
Determine which substances are exempt from registration: Substances manufactured / imported in quantities less than 1 ton per year, such as radioactive substances; waste substances, are all covered by exemptions which eliminate the need for registration. After you have conducted…
Read more
RoHS: Ask your EMS provider these five questions
Even if you have an excellent RoHS program and your EMS provider has an excellent RoHS compliance process, all it takes is one component for a product to be non-compliant. What is your EMS provider’s process if a non-compliant part is found on finished boards?
Read more
