# How to Evaluate Suppliers and Manufacturers with Mike Morena and Shawn Litingtun

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-04-10
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 15
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun

## Summary

Host John Teel speaks with Mike Morena, founder of AdhereTech, and electronics consultant Shawn Litingtun about evaluating suppliers and manufacturers for hardware startups. They discuss specific criteria for assessing electronics manufacturers, such as the number of SMT lines and automated optical inspection capabilities, and plastics manufacturers, focusing on in-house tooling and DFM reviews. The guests emphasize the importance of factory visits, ISO certification, and robust traceability systems to mitigate risk and ensure quality.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=0) Introduction and General Evaluation Tips
- [12:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=742) Evaluating Electronics Manufacturers: SMT Lines and Inspection
- [21:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=1316) Supply Chain Management and Component Sourcing
- [25:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=1555) Assessing Stability, ISO Certification, and Factory Audits
- [37:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=2233) Evaluating Plastics and Injection Molding Suppliers
- [46:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=2808) Operator Training, Solder Paste, and PCB Handling
- [53:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-10-how-to-evaluate-suppliers-and-manufacturers-with-mike-morena-and-shawn-litingtun#t=3222) Traceability, Failure Analysis, and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- AdhereTech (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- STM32 (chip)
- ISO 9001 (other)
- WeChat (tool)
- Compaq (company)
- Blackberry (company)
- DigiKey (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S1 E4: Cracking the Code of Hardware Manufacturing with Scott Miller](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-05-15-s1-e4-cracking-the-code-of-hardware-manufacturing-with-scott-miller) (The Builder Circle)
- [Scaling Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-09-19-scaling-manufacturing) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Innovations in AI: Transforming the Electronics Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-02-21-innovations-in-ai-transforming-the-electronics-industry) (OnTrack)
- [S2 E9: Global Supply Chain Strategy with Ying Liu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-03-19-s2-e9-global-supply-chain-strategy-with-ying-liu) (The Builder Circle)
- [155: Identifying a Sourcing Partner for Overseas Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-12-21-155-identifying-a-sourcing-partner-for-overseas-manufacturing) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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