Asking questions about cost, quality, strategic fit and risk is only part of OEM best practices for EMS provider due diligence. Reliance on a single point of contact can be a sign of lack of depth, or simply due to …
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Program, Project Management
How OEMs can build better EMS provider relationships
VIDEO – Defining disaster in Japan: Impact on Japanese and global electronics industry supply chains
Japan represents 10% to 15% of global electronics demand but 16% to 30% of electronics component supply. OEMs with meaningful cash positions are trying to pull in orders, buying up available component supplies. Taiwan printed circuit board companies like Kinsus and Unimicron could see bigger negative impacts.
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How to build trust in your OEM-EMS global partnerships
Electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers routinely struggle to gain insights on how they can fit into an OEM’s product roadmap. And rightly so, since many OEM’s are concerned their product roadmaps, if revealed, could be given to a competitor the EMS provider is also serving.
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A must-read for OEMs [before] selecting EMS providers
Should OEMs consider a tier-1 EMS provider’s interest in their business an accomplishment? If you think an EMS provider will throw you out when his factory gets full, you’re probably correct. Ideal percentage of your OEM business in an EMS provider’s facility is 10% to 15%.
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How to select EMS providers: Factory tours, smoke, mirrors
Parking lots reveal a lot about EMS company management execution. EMS performance metrics don’t mean a thing but understanding geographic value added revenue (VAR) models can help OEMs get the best price.
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Chasing EMS value with low-volume / high-mix
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 …
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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.
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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…
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Managing electronics manufacturing projects in a global economy
Finding a common way to communicate with project stakeholders across boundaries at times can be arduous. Language issues can be overcome by using interpreters or, if you’re really ambitious, even learning the native tongue of project stakeholders. Meanwhile, inferences in one language can still be missed when in dialogue with another. For example…
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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?
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