Finding a Top Printed Circuit Board Assembly Company

Choosing the right printed circuit board assembly company to partner with may seem like a daunting task due to the variety of suitors and the significance of this decision relative to your product. By the time your project has reached the assembly phase, you have most likely dedicated lots of time and resources to it already. This crucial step can make or break the success of your product which is why it is so important to understand how to find the best PCB assembly company for your needs. Read on for our simple 6-step process to narrow down the field.

Dedicate an Appropriate Amount of Time

There is a fine line between rushing into choosing a PCB assembly company and taking too long but you must find that balance in between the two. Expediting this step can lead to faulty products assembled by a disreputable company and taking too long to find the right partner can stall your project and drive up expenses. There is no universal timeframe so take as much time as you need to understand each prospective PCB assembly company.

Take Experience into Account

Eliminate candidates from your list by considering how their experience matches up with your project. Apart from experience with both surface-mount and through-hole assembly, it is worthwhile to investigate their background of industries they have served, batches they typically work with, and types of products they have assembled. This information can often be found online, or you may need to speak with a representative to learn more.

Evaluate Quality

You need to know that your project will be in good hands with a PCB assembly company that manufactures high quality products. It can be difficult to ascertain quality without your own final product in hand, but you can still look at these factors to evaluate PCB assembly quality:

• High-end manufacturing equipment often produces quality results.
• Certifications from third parties indicate that a quality management system is in place.
• Client feedback from previous projects should be favorable.

Ask About Testing Beforehand

Your PCB assembly company should offer testing services throughout the duration of your project to ensure a reliable timeline and minimized expenses. Failure during assembly can cost you valuable time and money, plus it may harm your reputation. Ask each PCB assembly company about their testing procedures and quality control processes - these will provide you with peace of mind during your project.

Find a Culture of Customer Support

Technical capabilities and the final product are obviously important, but customer support plays a significant role in your relationship with PCB assembly companies as well. The right PCB assembly partner will not only answer any of your questions in a timely manner, but they will also work with you to fix problems as they arise to ensure your timeline stays on track. Look for reviews and testimonials online to learn more or speak with company representatives and take note of how cordial they are with you.

Be Wary of These Red Flags

Though there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any given PCB assembly project, there are some universal red flags to avoid when finding a company to partner with.

• You should be able to get the information you need or the assurance that they are finding answers for you in a prompt manner. Unresponsiveness can prove detrimental to your project.
• Your project has unique needs so you need a partner who can accommodate that. Be wary if they have strict requirements or limited flexibility.
• If you need your results promptly, avoid companies that take excessive amounts of time to complete a project – especially if they do not offer reasonable explanations.
• Excluding new businesses, every PCB assembly company should be able to provide you with references from previous clients. A lack of references or certifications is dangerous.
• High costs are not necessarily a red flag but if the company cannot provide a reason for why their services are most costly than average, you may need to look elsewhere.

After going through all the above steps, it should be easier for you to find a PCB assembly company that will happily discuss your project with you, utilize all your resources to create the perfect product for you, and stay in contact throughout to ensure all your questions are answered. Get started by contacting EEI Manufacturing today. With over 25 years of leadership and experience in advanced PCB assembly technology, we are your leading candidate for turnkey manufacturing solutions where quality and technology are critical.