OEMs and supplier programs are in constant search for solutions that can simplify operations and play a supportive role in manufacturing. All of that, while remaining cost-effective and high-quality.
Industrial assembly services are one key operation that contract manufacturers can reliably perform for OEMs who can’t combine sourcing, kitting, subassembly, inspection, testing, packaging, and delivery into a single controlled workflow. When OEMs find the right partner, it’s a contract manufacturer that can reduce total landed cost and production risk while delivering a consistent, line-ready product.
Industrial Support Inc. proclaims when industrial assembly services make sense for OEM production by highlighting common scenarios and how to qualify a partner.
Best Case Scenarios of Industrial Assembly Services
OEMs that are considering industrial assembly services from a contract manufacturer forge a partnership based upon one or more of these scenarios. While this isn’t a one-size-fits-all in terms of reasons why to consider industrial assembly services from a contract manufacturer, they can simply streamline a production program.
If an OEM is facing capacity constraints because of their internal operations, it might be time to consider industrial assembly services from a contract manufacturer. If equipment, technicians, and facility space can be used for higher-value working like machining, fabrication, final system integration, or engineering changes, outsourcing assembly is a strong option. With assembly occurring in an external assembly, it opens up floor space and frees up labor.
Supply and demand of a specific product can determine the feasibility of whether an OEM or a contract manufacturer handles assembly operations. And when the demand of a product or component is too varied or just not high enough, OEMs should pass on industrial assembly services to a contract manufacturer. In a similar vein, if there are too many purchased components as in, a production order requires receiving and tracking dozens of loose components, a contract manufacturer can handle the operation instead.
Other reasons to consider a contract manufacturer for industrial assembly services can include if the assembly requires specialized controls, is repetitive, or your manufacturing program has avoidable handoffs.
What Assembly Can Include
Industrial assembly services is a wide-ranging term that’s inclusive of multiple variations of assembly capabilities. Industrial Support Inc highlights some of the most common services that can quality as industrial assembly.
| Service | Traditional Scope | OEM Value |
|---|---|---|
| Kitting | Picking, counting, labeling, bagging, and packaging | Reduces line-side picking and missing part errors |
| Subassembly | Fastening, press fitting, adhesives, simple mechanical builds | Reduces internal touch labor |
| Mechanical Assembly | Fixtures, torque-controlled fasteners, welding, tubing, fittings, seals, motion components | Validates a module |
| Electromechanical Assembly | Cable routing, harnesses, PCBs, sensors, switches, enclosure builds | Consolidation of mechanical and electrical coordination |
| Final Pack-Out | Labels manuals, protective packaging, documentation, customer-specific kits | Promotes direct line-side delivery or shipment ready products |
How to Qualify a Partner
Not just any contract manufacturer should perform industrial assembly services for your manufacturing program. Any manufacturer you’ve placed under consideration should be thoroughly vetted to ensure they fit the profile of your needs.
This can start by reviewing quality management systems and searching for any quality management certifications such as an ISO 9001 or AS9100D certification. In the same breath as quality, perform a search on the industries they serve to see if they have a track record of working with your industry specifically.
Upon initial consultation, it’s important to establish who owns what of the process. While your team might be the OEM, it’s important to decide what’s supplier-owned and what’s customer-owned
Contact Industrial Support Inc. for Your Industrial Assembly Services
Industrial Support Inc. serves as the contract metal manufacturer that OEMs, supplier programs, and other manufacturers trust. Located in Buffalo, New York, since 1995, we have helped our customers with supportive manufacturing operations.
Industrial assembly services are one of our many capabilities our team can perform. Our assembly operations are backed by the same quality management systems that all our manufacturing and other supporting capabilities are. We have been ISO 9001 certified for years along with ITAR compliance and AS9100D certified.
Are you an OEM or supplier program that needs industrial assembly services performed? Contact Industrial Support Inc. today for more information on how we can assist your manufacturing program.