Selecting the right electronic manufacturing services companies can be daunting, especially with so many options. Knowing the most important criteria to consider for properly evaluating different companies can make your process much easier. Here are six key factors to consider when choosing a supplier.
6 Considerations for Evaluating Electronic Manufacturing Services Companies
Customer Service
Nothing can sour a partnership faster than a poor customer service department. Between unanswered emails, frustratingly vague answers, or even outright unprofessional behavior, poor customer service can make even the most experienced and competent electronic manufacturing services companies nightmares to work with.
Luckily, the quality of a company’s customer service is typically fairly easy to evaluate. Within just a few interactions, you should be able to see if there are red flags or concerning patterns in the staff’s communication patterns.
For example, suppose you fill out a contact form on a company’s site. You should expect to hear back promptly with questions about your project. You should be able to talk to team leads for your specific project type and get thorough answers to your questions. Some companies will send a survey about your experience to ensure that your expectations were met.
While not all poor customer service is blatant, it often is detectable in your first interactions. If a company is not prompt, professional, and prudent in its early interactions with you, this can signal serious long-term issues that will manifest later on.
Experience
While it’s true that many newer electronic manufacturing services companies do a fine job, it is still always best to partner with an experienced supplier. A supplier that has only been in business for 18 months is not going to have the same level of expertise as a supplier that has been in business for 20-plus years.
This is especially true when it comes to troubleshooting unique or specific issues with production. An inexperienced manufacturer may not know what to do when a new production issue arises that they haven’t seen before, whereas an experienced supplier has likely seen it all and will be able to provide a variety of ultra-specific solutions.
Be sure to always check a company’s “About” page before making your final decision. Typically, this will detail how long they have been in business, their specialties, and any other relevant information that may influence your decision.
You can also check out their blog or resources page to see any case studies they have provided detailing their prior success stories. This can help give you an idea of the projects they typically tackle and their approach.
Reputation
A company’s reputation can give you unique insights into its attitudes surrounding quality and to what degree it values customers. The easiest and fastest way to get a quick overview of a company’s reputation is to check their reviews.
Google My Business reviews are a great place to start. However, if a company has less than 10 reviews, this site may not be the best for getting a quick overview of a company’s reputation. In that case, you may want to look into alternative review sites for more information.
Most electronic manufacturing services companies will also have a Better Business Bureau profile, which will give an overview of the business’s “ranking.” This ranking is given by the BBB and takes into account a variety of factors, including complaint history, observance of business ethics and standards, time in business, and more.
If a company has multiple negative reviews detailing the same or similar issues, that is a red flag and should be taken into consideration while making your decision.
Capabilities
Not all electronic manufacturing services companies will have the advanced capabilities you need for your project. Manufacturers will range from only producing basic circuits and boards to offering full customization services. That’s why it’s so important to evaluate your needs before seeking out a partner.
One of the simplest ways to determine if a company can meet your needs is by supplying your project specifications in detail during the first stages of the process. Often, companies will give you a section for specifying your needs in their contact forms. When this option is available, it’s best to be as detailed as possible. If a company is not equipped to supply your needs, it is best to know that before you get caught up in lengthy discussions and negotiations.
Location
While it’s not always possible to find electronic manufacturing services companies that meet your needs within your state, it is always best to look there first. Having your supplier close by will open opportunities to you that you would not otherwise have, including potential tours, in-person meetings, reduced shipping costs, and more.
If you can’t find a nearby supplier, a supplier within your general region or tri-state area is the next best thing. Whatever you can do to reduce overall shipping costs and wait times will end up benefiting your business in the long run.
Pricing
Lastly, it’s always prudent to compare pricing before choosing between electronic manufacturing services companies. Keep a spreadsheet handy of all the quotes you receive, accounting for differences in shipping costs as well. If you are specific with the details of your project early on, these quotes should be fairly accurate and useful for comparison purposes.
While pricing is not everything, especially at the expense of quality, it is always important to ensure that you are not drastically overpaying for services. Keeping pricing in mind can also help you make tough decisions if you are having difficulty deciding between two companies.
Still feeling unsure of where to start? At Printed Circuits Corp., we are a full-service electronic manufacturing services company with over 20 years of experience. We are fully committed to the success of our clients and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. To learn more about how we can assist with your project, you can contact us here.
