It is very common for OEMs to work with more than one contract manufacturer, especially if the OEM is a large company that manufactures a range of products. Large, established OEMs often have an established relationship with the top contract manufacturing services in the country. Their order volume and their proven staying power in the industry make them an attractive customer for these contract manufacturers.
It can sometimes be more challenging for small OEMs or startup companies to find contract manufacturing services. However, with some basic research and due diligence on different contract manufacturers can assist these companies in finding the ideal company to partner with for design, prototyping and eventually through to production.
Company History and Scope
Finding out about the company you are considering for contract manufacturing services does not just involve reading their website. It is important to research independently and find out about the company through other sources such as news articles, industry reviews and even through industry feedback.
A few of the top contract manufacturers publish case studies. This is an interesting read that allows your engineering team to see how creative and innovative the manufacturer is when working on unusual or new challenges.
Certifications
In most situations, a quality and customer service focused contract manufacturer will have a variety of certifications. At a minimum, they should have ISO 9001 certification, but many have several special certifications for production in different industries. This can include ISO 14001 for environmental management systems, ISO 13485 for medical device manufacturing and several others including specific military production certifications.
Take the time to find out as much as possible about the companies. With the recognized, established contract manufacturers it will not be a challenge to find this information and to verify any details of the services you are considering.
