Contract Manufacturing: Takin’ Care of Business

EE Times Current · 28 Jan 2022 · 21m

What this episode covers

Derek Kane, vice president of KMC Systems, discusses the strategic opening of a new innovation center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to support the medical electronics and life sciences industries. He explains how KMC’s 'campus-based' supply chain model and early supplier involvement helped mitigate semiconductor shortages and lead time issues during the pandemic. The conversation also covers KMC’s long product lifecycles, predictive maintenance capabilities derived from its defense background, and the integration of adjacent technologies from parent company Elbit Systems.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 30m

    Scaling Manufacturing

    Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal of Oxide Computer Company discuss scaling manufacturing with colleagues CJ Mendes, Kirstin Neira, Erik Anderson, Aaron Hartwig, and Doug Wibben. They detail the transition from low-rate NPI to volume production using contract manufacturer Benchmark Electronics, highlighting specific engineering solutions like the Medusa and Reverso test boards to address fragile high-speed cables and press-fit DDR sockets. The team emphasizes their strategic procurement approach, building deep relationships with suppliers like Semtech and Texas Instruments to secure supply during the AI-driven chip shortage, while navigating compliance and tariff challenges for global expansion.

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 09m

    The Oxide Supply Chain

    Kate Hicks, Head of Operations at Oxide Computer Company, details how her team navigated the global supply chain crisis by integrating operations early into the engineering process. She explains specific strategies for securing long-lead components like Sanyo Denki fans and NXP LPC55 microcontrollers through deep vendor partnerships, broker market vetting, and custom modifications. The discussion highlights the importance of API-driven automation using tools like Duro and OrCAD to manage inventory and forecasting for a small, scrappy team scaling production.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 13m

    Chip Shortage Denier

    Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics returns from paternity leave to discuss the severe semiconductor supply chain crisis with host Dave Jones. They analyze how major companies like General Motors and Apple misjudged demand during the pandemic, leading to canceled orders and a subsequent shortage that persists due to long lead times for fab equipment and raw materials. Gammell details his personal struggles with component unavailability, forcing him to redesign circuits, swap microcontrollers, and shrink firmware to fit smaller, available parts, while Jones highlights the legal implications of force majeure notices from distributors like Bryman.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 40m

    Building for Long-Term Success w/ Ron Speicher and David Craft

    Ron Speicher and David Craft of Davron Technologies, Inc. (DTI) explain how a small mechanical contractor evolved into a top U.S. industrial oven manufacturer by maintaining in-house operations to ensure supply chain resilience and quality. They discuss the challenges of component shortages during the pandemic, which forced them to pivot scheduling and communicate transparently with customers about extended lead times. The founders emphasize their strategy of hiring people of character, investing in their workforce, and fostering a culture where employees feel valued enough to want to retire at the company.

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 16m

    How A Cornwall EMS Company Scales With Defense And Aerospace Demand, with Jon Hurrell, Sellectronics

    Jon Hurrell, Managing Director at Sellectronics, explains how the UK-based EMS provider scaled from a garage startup to a 52-employee operation handling complex SMT assembly for defense and aerospace clients. He details the supply chain disruptions caused by AI data center demand, which has stretched PCB lead times and created shortages for high-end BGAs and FPGAs. Hurrell describes the strategic shift from chasing prime suppliers to targeting tier one and two system builders and 'neo primes' in the drone sector, while highlighting the critical challenge of home-growing talent to fill the UK's electronics manufacturing skills gap.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EE Times Current. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.