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NPI with the Right Electronic Manufacturing Services Partner

Written by Agility Tech | Apr 6, 2023 4:16:00 PM

 

Important Attributes When Choosing the Perfect EMS Partner for New Product Introduction

Our recent article entitled “Understanding the Relevant EMS Sourcing Factors & How to Avoid the Unit Pricing Trap” kicked off our discussion into the many important factors to consider when making EMS sourcing decisions, in which we identify the importance of new product introduction (NPI) proficiency within this framework. 

In this article, we take a deeper dive into the consequential roll that NPI proficiency plays in the ultimate success of your EMS sourcing decisions.      

There are five common factors that OEMs routinely confront when contemplating EMS- and NPI-related outsourcing initiatives: 

  1. I have an active NPI project that I need a capable EMS partner for—one that can serve as a trusted advisor, that possesses the required DFM skills, tooling capabilities, quick-turn and scalable manufacturing and support models—that can bring my project to fruition in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  2. I am considering outsourcing products that are currently manufactured in-house and I need an EMS partner that can navigate the documentation, BOM, and legacy knowledge challenges that exist. This is discussed in depth in our March 2023 article.
  3. I have outgrown the capabilities of my current CM and am looking to transition to a new solutions-focused Electronic Manufacturing Services partner—one that offers a global support model, that can successfully coordinate and bring my current and future NPI and manufacturing needs to fruition.
  4. I am looking to near-shore or off-shore our current manufacturing and am in search of an EMS partner that checks all the boxes.
  5. I am looking for a new EMS partner that can provide coordinated and scalable North America (domestic & Mexico), and off-shore manufacturing models to explore possibilities and potential upside, and to keep all of our options open going forward.

These are top-tier priorities to resolve when undertaking NPI and EMS sourcing initiatives. But this is just the beginning. There are many considerations worthy of exploring and vetting before you pull the trigger—keep in mind that a hasty decision could prove disappointing, problematic, and costly.

Although it may be tempting to fast-track a new EMS relationship decision based on internal noise level, or your company’s emphasis on, perhaps one (or a few) factors—such as unit price benchmarking, quality and delivery issues, or in-house resource deficits—given the importance and long-term ramifications of such a consequential decision, it is always wise to thoroughly consider the big picture.     

OEMs can realize substantial value and upside by streamlining their supply base, and joining forces with a strategic, solutions-focused EMS partner. A partner that delivers a comprehensive, flexible, and collaborative partnership model that spans a wide range of synergistic core competencies and offers extensive vertical integration, while also providing the needed NPI proficiency and global manufacturing presence and scalability to support your current and future needs.

In concept, this model is not new and, in part, forms the foundation on which multi-billion-dollar CMs were built, but only OEMs with very high volumes and huge annual spends have typically had access to such comprehensive EMS models offered by “Tier 1” EMS providers.

Agility Tech has re-envisioned these long-established and largely disqualifying thresholds with its vast range of synergistic EMS competencies, services, and core of highly capable North America (domestic & Mexico) and off-shore manufacturing partners that we offer to our clients, ranging from start-ups to large industry leading OEMs with high-volume requirements, and everything in between.

We offer:

  • DFM support
  • NPI proficiency
  • Quick-turn services
  • Comprehensive tooling services
  • A wide range of fully scalable synergistic EMS competencies:
    • Electromechanical assembly, unit & box build
    • Custom cable assemblies & wire harnesses
    • Molded cables
    • RF/Coaxial cables
    • Ribbon cables & coil cords
    • Fiber optic assemblies
    • Bare PCB, flex, semi-flex, rigid-flex, SLP & MEMS
    • High-speed Printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)
    • IIoT (industrial internet of things) devices, cloud & mobile platforms
    • Power supplies
    • Low pressure molding
    • Injection molded plastic parts
    • Precision metal fabrication, complex frame weldments & machining

24 Important EMS Partner Attributes

There are certain attributes that a qualified EMS partner needs to have in order to successfully navigate all of the NPI and EMS sourcing requirements common to most OEMs. Yes, it’s a long list, but your ultimate success depends on it, so it is worth a deeper dive. Consider all of the following:

  1. Dedicated and highly responsive customer service
  2. Commitment and sense of urgency
  3. Trust
  4. Extensive solutions-focused capabilities, ingenuity, and know-how
  5. Expert engineering, design, DFM, and regulatory compliance support
  6. Proficiency in the development of comprehensive sub-assembly hierarchy, supporting manufacturing documentation and product test/validation (these topics are further explored in our next article in this series)
  7. New product introduction (NPI) support & launch proficiency
  8. Documentation/CAD/SolidWorks support
  9. Extensive vertical integration—capabilities that span a wide range of vital and synergistic core competencies
  10. Time-to-market (TTM) proficiency
  11. Prerequisite compliances & certifications
  12. Robust quality management systems (QMS)
  13. Comprehensive and robust product test and validation capabilities & processes
  14. Quick-turn capabilities
  15. Scalable highly capable domestic, Mexico & off-shore manufacturing presence
  16. Commitment to process-driven total-cost optimization & viable total-cost reduction initiatives
  17. World-class automation and extensive tooling & equipment assets
  18. Controlled manufacturing processes for proven and repeatable compliance
  19. Comprehensive and integrated ERP/MRP systems
  20. Inventory & logistics management
  21. Alternate component expertise
  22. Demonstrated commitment to sustainability principles
  23. Industry longevity and exceptional reputation
  24. Comprehensive supply chain
Translating the Checklist

So, which of these 24 attributes are important to you and your company? Which ones are a must-have, will create value, and drive your success? Although some of these attributes are more obvious than others, most companies (regardless of size or industry) find that all 24 are vital to their current and future success.     

To put things into perspective, many companies need a solutions-focused EMS partner that is proficient in all 24 attributes, providing a flexible and fully scalable manufacturing model comprised of a locally-based engineering support team, a well-equipped local production capability, along with highly capable low-cost manufacturing expertise in both Mexico and off-shore. As one of the industry’s premier solutions-focused interconnect/EMS service providers, Agility Tech’s business is characterized by a comprehensive, flexible, and highly effective framework that checks all of these boxes. We would be pleased to discuss how best to achieve your particular needs and objectives.

Common Goals

A partnership will thrive only if there are common and attainable goals. Whether your company is a start-up or well-established, small or large, your chosen EMS partner should offer these 24 key attributes, which are vital to your sustainable success.

Perhaps you are reading this because you’re struggling with a supplier that does not possess the deep experience necessary to support your company’s objectives and you need a new partner that can execute on your requirements and vision. Or maybe you have a new NPI project and you are searching for the right EMS partner, or you are considering outsourcing a product or products that you currently manufacture in-house. Choosing a solutions-focused supply partner and trusted advisor that has the needed expertise, ingenuity, synergistic core competencies, complementary vertical integration, world-class automation, and horsepower is the solution.    

Increasingly, companies are concerned about their lasting impact on their employees, the community—locally and globally—and the environment. Maybe you are in search of a new supplier that shares your concern for our planet. Agility Tech and our global manufacturing partners are committed to sustainability principles and social responsibility spanning all facets of our collective business.

We Speak from a Perspective Born from Experience

Agility Tech and our global manufacturing partners have a deep understanding of all the ins and outs of successful NPI launch and supplier transitions. The scope is vast:

  • Customer AVLs and documentation
  • Pipeline component inventory
  • Transitioning of supplier-managed inventories
  • Manufacturing supply agreements
  • Transfer of tooling and design/manufacture of new tooling
  • Customer-furnished materials
  • Pipeline/work-in-process
  • Strategic relationships with and management of world-class suppliers
  • Much more …

An Agility Tech Solutions-Focused Partnership

Whatever your needs, Agility Tech has you covered. Our talented and experienced team of industry professionals, and that of our distinguished manufacturing partners, will make your NPI project or supplier transition a total success. Serving numerous industries, we offer highly capable and scalable global manufacturing services. Contact us now to explore the possibilities for your next NPI project.