Best Electronic Manufacturing Service Companies in Houston

Electronic manufacturing services (EMS) is a term used to refer to both the overall industry and the specific class of subcontractor or contract company that performs contracted manufacturing work. These companies provide vital services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and despite their name, electronic manufacturing service companies can do a lot more than just manufacture your brand’s products. Keep reading to learn more about what to look for when outsourcing your company’s electronic contract manufacturing services. 

What Can Electronic Manufacturing Service Providers Do?

Companies that offer electronic assembly manufacturing services can design, build, test, and distribute electronics for OEMs. In addition to these offerings, EMS companies also provide return and repair services for the OEMs who hired them. Outsourcing EMS work to experts in the manufacturing industry as opposed to keeping it in-house is an excellent way for companies of all sizes to streamline their production processes and ensure that their products are of the highest possible quality. 

Industry-trusted electronic manufacturing service companies can perform a wide scope of work, but they’re more than capable of undertaking niche and specialty projects, too. They can design electronics based on customers’ initial drawings, develop rough outlines into working prototypes with information for mass production, and provide aftermarket assistance for anything they build. Some companies also use on-site injection molding and machining equipment to make each individual piece that goes into the final assembly they put together for you.

Electronic Contract Manufacturing Capabilities

In addition to assisting in the research and development process, co-designing products with OEMs, and prototyping newly designed products, EMS companies are also highly skilled in the following areas:

Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)

Printed circuit board (PCB) assembly is one of EMS companies’ most common and vital services because a product’s performance and safety depend on this being done correctly. PCB assembly involves the use of surface-mount or through-hole technology to solder various components to a bare board, which aid in routing power and signals between two or more physical devices upon its completion.

Wiring and Cable Assembly

An electrical cable assembly houses the wires that interface with the PCB and its product components. These wires are used to power various electrical devices, so it is critical that their assembly is done correctly. EMS companies that offer engineering, manufacturing, and testing services are the best option when outsourcing manufacturing work since a unified process cuts down on the potential for oversights and the need for rework, which is vital for meeting established deadlines. 

Electromechanical Assembly (Box Builds)

Electronic contract manufacturing often includes box build system integration capabilities. This process can involve connecting one or more PCBAs and other various components into a subassembly. It can also refer to the integration of multiple subassemblies and mechanical components into the finished product. Managing both the quality of this final production stage is crucial to ensuring customer satisfaction and safety.

Contract Design

Some electronic design & manufacturing companies offer contract design services, allowing you access to industry-specific, expert engineers and production teams. These teams can build items based on your initial design or offer you a more cost-effective and robust design while providing you with documentation during every step of the process. Contracting your design needs out to an EMS company also helps ensure that your product meets regulatory approval.

Testing

EMS testing capabilities include everything from basic visual inspections to board x-rays to full functionality tests. Functional testing should be performed under conditions as similar as possible to those under which it will be used in the field. Testing is one of the most important steps in the electronic assembly process since anything less than a fully functional and properly assembled product can compromise your supply chain and cause shipment delays.

Procurement and Inventory Management

Supply chain management is as important to the manufacturing process as any other step, so hiring a team with experience managing logistics is essential. This choice will help ensure a smooth manufacturing process from the initial procurement of raw materials through to managing your product inventory once the process is completed. Larger companies can often purchase materials at a discounted rate, meaning you’ll save time and money while receiving a consistent, quality product. 

Lifecycle Services

Lifecycle services offer your company support throughout a product’s lifecycle, from its initial concept to product retirement. Lifecycle service capabilities include:

• Product design/development and prototyping
• New product introduction
• Product evolution and growth
• High-volume production
• Post volume and legacy product wind down

Strategic Product Analysis

Strategic product analysis should begin in the initial design stage to ensure that sourcing, pricing, and delivery of components will be reliable throughout a product’s lifecycle. Experienced EMS companies will take the potential for component obsolescence into consideration during the design phase to avoid disruptions in your manufacturing process in the event that the product is no longer feasible as built. Depending on the specifics of the environmental impacts the part may undergo throughout its lifecycle, they will offer recommendations for substitute parts or design changes after the analysis is complete. 

Injection Molding

Injection molding allows more intricate component manufacturing at a higher volume and for a lower cost. It involves melting and injecting plastic (or custom, compounded plastic) pellets into a custom mold, often through automation, to create a stable, repeatable, and cost-efficient process. Outsourcing EMS work to a company with injection molding capabilities is a reliable way to ensure quality and reliability during every step of the manufacturing process.

Machining

Machining operations refers to the use of various machines—including mills, CNC lathes, saws, and turn/mill combos—to create custom enclosures and product supports designed to withstand extreme working environments. Working with an EMS company that offers in-house machining services will streamline your supply chain and cut down production times.

Geospace Technologies—Your Trusted Houston Electronic Manufacturing Service Company

At Geospace Technologies, we hold ourselves to extremely high standards, so you can trust that we are always striving to exceed the expectations of our customers. Our manufacturing operations are capable of completing projects of any volume at a pace that works for you, and our extensive service offerings allow you to keep all your production processes under one roof, reducing both costs and lead times. All of our products are made in the USA, further reducing lead times, improving quality, and ensuring safe IP/design throughout the manufacturing process. 

As a longtime member of the contract manufacturing industry, you can trust that our team of engineers and production experts will deliver consistent, quality products with unmatched reliability. To learn more about our work and why we are among the most advanced electronic manufacturing service companies globally, contact us today!