Hiring an Assembly Contractor

Outsourcing the assembly process can help save your company money, streamline the supply chain, improve operational efficiency, and increase the quality of your final output. There’s a catch: you have to hire an assembly contractor that has the skills, expertise, capacity, and facilities to handle your needs – whether it’s a large antenna cable or the smallest fuses.

How do you ensure that your company is outsourcing to the right assembly contractor?

●      Do they have experience in your particular industry/sector (i.e. commercial, government, aerospace, military, etc.)? Applications vary based on your industry’s specific needs, and it is essential that contractors have a thorough understanding of your needs.

●      Has the contractor achieved the appropriate quality standards? For example, AS9100C is the recognized standard for aviation, space, and defense industries. Do they have ISO9001: 2008 certification attesting to their commitment to quality? Are their assembly workers thoroughly trained in these standards?

●      Does the contractor provide technical solutions and in-house engineering services? This saves you the cost of hiring an engineer or engineering consultant to complete critical projects.

●      Are their packaging solutions compliant with all applicable codes?

●      Does the contractor assemble your orders in the US? While outsourcing to overseas contractors may cut costs, it can often come at the expense of quality.

●      What is the contractor’s defect rate (it should be zero!)? How long are their lead-times? When will you get your solutions?

●      Is their pricing competitive? While cut-rate assembly contractors can slash your costs, again, the impact is felt in quality and wasted resources (e.g. finding parts, additional assembling, de-trashing parts, etc.). Opt for a contractor who can provide solutions within your budget and deliver the quality that you need.

An experienced assembly contractor can help you achieve optimal efficiency, save costs, and satisfy your own customers. Ask these questions to ensure you are hiring the best.