How to Choose the Best Custom Part, Harness or Assembly Manufacturer - CAI

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How to Choose the Best Custom Part, Harness or Assembly Manufacturer

How to Choose the Best Custom Part, Harness or Assembly Manufacturer

Look for These Key Traits When Choosing the Right Manufacturer for Your Custom Projects

Trusting others with your manufacturing needs is an intimidating yet necessary step toward bringing your component, harness or assembly vision to life. To ensure your products are built how you want them and your product development experience is a satisfying one from start to finish, you must do your homework on what each manufacturer brings to the table.

Before choosing your component, wire harness or cable assembly partner, make sure they have the credentials to get the job done. Here’s what you should be looking for, keeping in mind that coming up short in just one of these areas could spell trouble.

Expertise
Manufacturing involves complex technical processes which demand expert oversight to prevent projects from going up in smoke, literally. Expertise should be at the top of your list because you’ll want a manufacturer who knows what they’re doing every step of the way, how to handle any hiccups should they arise, and how to do it all as timely, cost-effective and efficiently as possible — giving you more time and resources to spend on other parts of your business.

Certifications
Hand in hand with expertise, your manufacturer should be versed in any breadth of specified qualifications regarding your specific part and application needs. Different industries require different quality specifications relative to their component selection and product performance, so you’ll want to make sure your manufacturer can meet the standards of your industry.

Experience
Education and certifications don’t always amount to experience. They might be starting out or only familiar with a few industries. Look for a diverse portfolio serving various industries around the globe. A manufacturer who’s been around the block has seen it all and no wrench in the works comes as a surprise. Additionally, you can typically trust an established company that’s been around for years to be there when you need them and not suddenly disappear in the middle of a project.

For over 36 years, CAI has worked with a wide range of industries around the world providing them with the custom components, harnesses and assemblies they need. Learn more about what CAI can do for you. 

Extensive Capabilities
A manufacturer with a wide array of in-house capabilities can better manage the entirety of your project from design and component collaboration to production to delivery — saving you time, money and hassle in the long run. Look for one with excellent integration, turnkey sourcing and volume capabilities so you don’t have to jump from one manufacturer to another, especially when you need multiple custom jobs done.

A manufacturer with an established supply chain network and various sourcing options can often negotiate better prices on materials and parts procurement. One featuring a variety of internal processes and all-volume capabilities gives you peace of mind knowing they can properly and efficiently handle your project — no matter the size.

From high-mix/low-volume to high-volume and beyond, CAI has the turnkey solutions and capabilities to handle projects that span all volumes. Start a conversation with us today.

Customer Focus
You can tell a lot about a business by how they treat and communicate with existing and potential customers. Promptness, flexibility and clear communication are key traits in a manufacturer that puts customers first, offering personalized attention every step of the way to get a client’s unique and ever-evolving demands met.

Transparency is also essential if you’re going to develop a long-lasting mutually beneficial relationship. Look for a manufacturer who believes in quality prototyping before production and thorough testing before delivery.

Competitive Pricings
With all that’s needed for custom component, harness and assembly jobs, you’ll want a manufacturer who’s committed to keeping labor, material, equipment and delivery costs as low as possible while working efficiently to stay on-budget. Doing all that and offering competitive pricing will give you more capital to invest in other areas of your business.

At CAI, we’re one of the few who check off all of the boxes and consistently meet and exceed our clients’ highest expectations. Let us know how we can help with your component, harness or assembly project.