When it comes to remaining competitive within the electronics industry, there's always room for improvement. No matter how successful your small to midsize company has been in the past, it's always in your best interest to strive towards an even better business model so that you can continue to attract new clientele while maintaining a steady customer base. Unfortunately, the idea of improving business practices can seem somewhat overwhelming - especially if you're not sure where to begin. These tips and tricks will help you to pinpoint areas where positive changes can be made to make your company even more successful.

If you've been thinking about soliciting the help of a third party PCB assembly manufacturer, you're not alone. Many small and medium sized electronics businesses are realizing how beneficial it can be to partner with a contract manufacturing service, both as a means of saving money and improving the quality of their finished products. Despite the fact that there are many such contract manufacturing services, though, it's important that you are aware of what to look for before partnering with another company. This will ensure that you get the most bang for your buck, and preserve the integrity of your boards, enabling yourself to move forward and grow. If you're not sure how to go about reviewing your prospects, take a look at these "dos" and "don'ts" to selecting a PCB assembly manufacturing service.

DO Consider Location

Some businesses make the mistake of turning their eyes overseas when looking for a contract manufacturing company. In many cases, offshore companies will charge less money for PC board assembly services, but there's a reason for that. Offshore companies don't always adhere to the same safety and labor standards that we value in the United States. Counterfeit parts may be utilized in order to shave off costs and cut corners. This could compromise the quality of your devices, and even make you liable for lawsuits. As a result, it's best to keep your sights on qualified American companies.

Do you know how to find a superior electronics contract manufacturing company? Too many small to mid-sized electronics businesses make the mistake of basing their partnership decisions on little more than the lowest bid offered. This, however, can be a fatal mistake. In all cases, you'll get what you pay for in terms of quality of components, parts, production value, and services. As a result, it's important that you have a concrete set of criteria that will help you to pinpoint a "zero" from a "hero" and ensure that you make the best possible decision when hiring a contract manufacturing service. This list of characteristics and qualifications will help to get you on your way to a successful partnership.

As an electronics business, your goal is to provide your customers with superior devices, powered by efficient and highly-functional PC boards. You want to keep buyers happy with boards that will continue to support your products for many years.  But despite your best efforts, there's always the chance that something will go wrong with one of your devices. How do you handle it when there's trouble with one of your units? Do you simply cut your losses and ship a warranty replacement unit?

For many small to mid-sized companies, this may seem like the simplest solution, but is it really worth it? In many cases, the problems associated with a faulty device can be traced right back to the PC board. Through troubleshooting, you might find that the issue really boils down to one or two components that may need to be replaced, or another quick fix. Ultimately, taking the time to make these adjustments can save you a significant amount of money.

When something goes wrong with one of your electronic devices, how do you handle the problem? For many businesses, protocol is to simply replace the entire unit, when it's under warranty. Although this certainly is a quick fix and provides customers with a functioning devices, this may not always be the smartest course of action. Do you know when to repair and when to replace? This post will explore the answer to this question, the benefits of PCB repair, and the ways in which a contract manufacturer can help you out in the process.

When to Repair vs When to Replace

It's not uncommon for small to midsize electronics companies to seek out the assistance of a contract manufacturing vendor as a means of reducing the time, costs, and other burdens associated with the production of PC boards. Contract manufacturing businesses exist all throughout the world, providing companies like yours with many options. Unfortunately, while many offshore contract manufacturers offer lower prices than their American competitors, the quality of their boards are often subpar. But what is it, exactly, that makes American businesses better and sets them apart? This post will take a deeper look at why you should only consider partnering with an American manufacturing service.

6 Reasons to Hire American Contractors

As a growing electronics company, new business is always welcome. You're constantly looking for ways to reach new customers and grow your client base. But what happens if a major client orders a large batch of boards that you simply don't have the time or means to fulfill before the required deadline? What if a small, new client with the potential for exciting growth in the future solicits your work, but you're unable to push current customer orders onto the back burner? Does this mean that you'll have to lose the opportunity to take on new business? We don't think so. 

A strong partnership with a contract manufacturer can help you manage orders and clients of all sizes so that you never miss out. Whether your CM is handling all of the PCB design and assembly on your behalf, or is only assisting you with a portion of the work, there's really no job that's too big or small. In fact, you'd be surprised at how much a good CM can do to help you to keep your PCB batch orders organized and to keep your customers happy and coming back for more.