Considering onshoring your PCB assembly? Maybe this is something you have been thinking about for a while. Here at ABL Circuits we are seeing a trend with more and more customers deciding to onshore their electronics manufacturing due to the significant benefits related to costs, quality control and quicker turnaround times. As industry experts we have the experience to guide our clients through the process to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition.
In this article, we’ll share 7 key tips with you if you are considering onshoring your PCB assembly and tell you more about why ABL Circuits is your best choice for onboarding your electronics manufacturing operations.
Conduct Thorough Supplier Evaluation
Choosing the right supplier when it comes to onshoring your electronics manufacturing is crucial in terms of reliability and grade standards. A thorough evaluation will help you vet potential suppliers ensuring success moving forward, key areas to look at include accreditation and certificates, testing procedures and standards.
Certifications and accreditation will indicate the commitment to maintaining high-quality processes, ABL Circuits is proud to hold the ISO 9001-2015 certificate, this accreditation means that we have been fully assessed to industry standards and you can trust that we are committed to providing you with the highest levels in manufacturing and production.
You will want to check what testing procedures are in place to ensure minimal mistakes, this will also give you an indication of the standards being produced. Another area to consider looking at is assessing the supplier’s track record, this will give you a good understanding of the type of work produced and the type of customers they work with.
It is always a good idea to conduct your own due diligence by taking a look at any case studies the supplier may have and reviews left by their customers. Word-of-mouth recommendations from industry peers will really give you a good understanding of the supplier’s reputation and the specifications of the work they produce. It is important to establish a good relationship with your supplier, a company you can trust with your intellectual property is essential. IP protection is something ABL Circuits take very seriously.
Assess and Mitigate Supply Chain Risks
Transitioning to onshoring can bring a multitude of benefits to your business, it does not have to feel daunting or overwhelming, this will help you to streamline your process, eliminate stress and speed up turnaround times. By choosing to onshore your PCB manufacturing, you will reduce the risk of global supply chain disruptions and resolve logistical challenges in real-time, ultimately saving you both time and money.
One of the biggest advantages of onshoring your PCB manufacturing is the ability to mitigate risks associated with the global supply chain. With onshoring, you have greater control over your production processes, allowing you to respond swiftly to any unexpected issues, ensuring that your projects stay on schedule, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Your company might be looking to make more environmentally friendly choices and understand the importance of reducing your carbon footprint. Onshoring is a great way to achieve this, with access to domestic raw materials, this is a huge benefit to all parties involved.
Focus on Quality Assurance
One of the main reasons you might be thinking about onshoring is the opportunity to allow for closer oversight of the manufacturing operation. Being able to communicate with your supplier directly and ensure the quality of work being produced meets your standards will eliminate any unwelcome surprises when the final work is produced.
Reputable suppliers will have in place in-process inspections to detect any defaults early and allow for corrections to be made if needed. The same can be said for final product testing, it is essential your supplier conducts testing throughout manufacturing but also at the end before shipment.
Being in proximity to the manufacturing facilities allows you to visit the production facilities and ensure the standard is being met. It also allows you to build trust and a relationship with your supplier, this can be difficult with overseas manufacturers and offshore facilities.
At ABL Circuits we encourage and welcome our customers to visit our facility to see for themselves the level of care and testing opportunities we have in place.
Evaluate Cost Implications
Another factor to consider onshoring manufacturing is the cost implications, not only the initial costs but it’s vital to look at what savings can be made in other areas and how this impacts the turnaround.
There is no denying that labour costs when offshoring your PCB assembly are typically lower, however, the costs soon begin to stack up when shipping expenses, tariff charges and customs charges are all taken into consideration.
The other factor to consider is the considerably longer lead times compared to onshoring manufacturing, this can delay schedules leading to much longer than needed project times, and as the saying goes, time is money!
Offshoring can also bring challenges to quality control. We often hear of orders arriving with defects and a lack of industry standards. The problem then lies with the order being replaced, this can be time-consuming which leads to further delays.
Onshoring costs in general offer a long-term financial benefit, regardless of higher labour costs, shipping expenses are minimal and you do not incur tariff or customs charges. Not to mention improved standards and closer collaboration, and communication. Plus, the benefit of supporting local economies too.
Enhance Communication and Collaboration
The feedback we receive from our customers at ABL Circuits is they love how they can pick up the phone and speak with us directly, or visit us at our production facility. Communication is a key part of how we conduct business, this is reflected in the quality of the products we produce.
We have built long-term trusted relationships with many of our customers, this is all down to maintaining strong communication throughout and being able to address issues and changes quickly. It helps our clients stay competitive in time-sensitive sectors and helps to streamline the production process, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
It is important to have clear expectations when looking at onshoring. Being able to collaboratively plan and joint problem solving with your supplier will put your mind at ease and ensure a smooth running production line for your printed circuit boards.
Leverage Technological Advances
Onshoring you electronics manufacturing is a great opportunity to look at state-of-the-art cutting-edge technologies to improve the efficiency and quality of products. ABL Circuits is dedicated to investing in evolving technologies to stay ahead of these technological advances in a rapidly evolving market.
An example of some key advancements to look out for include Surfacing Mount Technology (SMT), Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and 3D printing.
The use of automation within the PCB industry has a big impact on a supplier’s efficiency and reliability. Automation in PCB speeds up the production process and reduces the risk of human error saving raw materials and allowing for faster production times.
Automation is much more cost-effective due to the faster speeds and the control of quality is also more reliable and consistent. This is why we love investing in new tech as it allows us to offer our customer base, in many cases, more than other PCB companies.
Plan for a Smooth Transition
Any experienced supplier who deals with onshoring PCB manufacturing will expertly guide you through the onshoring process ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. At ABL Circuits we pride ourselves on being able to help navigate customers through the onshoring process and support at every step offering valuable insight.
Establishing clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of successful onshoring, this will help set expectations and ensure both parties are aligned towards common goals. A phased implementation and handover might be considered, this will give you a gradual transition and enable you to pilot run and test the process to identify any issues before full-scale implementation.
Key Takeaways
Onshoring your assembly and electronic manufacturing offers much greater benefits compared to offshoring. Reduced costs, quicker turnaround times and enhanced quality standards to name a few. By onshoring you will enjoy a stronger supply chain, great communication with your supplier and overall a more competitive advantage.
If you are looking for a reliable, trusted and forward-thinking PCB manufacturing with over 40 years of experience, ABL Circuits can get you started and handle your onshoring PCB manufacturing needs and offer significant benefits.
Find out more about ABL Circuits Ltd on their member profile page here
Member-created content 3 months ago | From members