The Line from OCM Manufacturing
Welcome to the Fall 2008 issue of The Line - the electronics manufacturing resource for small- and mid-size companies.
Feature Story
New Product Introduction: Process Makes Perfect
At OCM, we often deal with new product introduction (NPI) – the manufacture of a brand-new product, including setting up manufacturing and test processes, procuring parts, establishing the supply chain, and advising on design from the perspective of manufacturability.
Success of the NPI process will depend in large part upon two practices:
- Communication –a contract manufacturer (CM) like OCM is a services provider, not a product delivery company. This means that a great deal of interface between you and the CM will be required, including person-to-person communication and the provision of comprehensive documentation to the CM. Communication ensures that information is successfully transferred between parties, and that no details are lost. (Read our DFM Tip the topic of preparing documentation).
- Collaboration – concurrent engineering processes are superior in producing products that are manufacturable to high quality and low cost. A concurrent approach amplifies the level of collaboration required by introducing a number of stakeholders into the process. (See the “Hot Topic” below for more on this).
A rigorous process is the key to ensuring that the communication and collaboration between you and your CM is optimized for efficiency and effectiveness. If you have established processes, you are a step ahead, but you will need to be prepared to make adjustments to your own processes in order to work effectively with a specific CM. If you do not have your own processes in place, you should look to your CM to provide these. Effective communication and collaboration ensure that your new product introduction is fast and flawless.
- George Henning, VP Manufacturing, OCM Manufacturing
Hot Topic
Using Concurrent Engineering for Better Results
While the “concurrent engineering” approach to product development it requires a greater level of communication and collaboration than traditional “silo” practices, the results are far superior – for both the customer and for the contract manufacturer.
Our latest DFM Tip describes how concurrent engineering works and provides three best practices for implementing this approach in your environment.
Read the tip >>
News
OCM’s Chinese Partner Achieves ISO Certification
During the summer, OCM’s manufacturing partner in China, Baja Technology, passed the final audit required for ISO registration. This brings Baja’s quality system on par with OCM’s quality system as both companies are now registered to the ISO 9001:2000 standard.
George Henning, OCM’s Vice President of Manufacturing, said, “ISO registration provides our customers with additional confidence in the capabilities and commitment of our Chinese manufacturing partner. For nearly four years, Baja has provided OCM with high quality and high yields, and ISO registration helps ensure that high quality will be delivered on a consistent basis.”
Official registration will be issued in August, 2008 by TÜV SÜD, a globally recognized testing, inspection and certification organization offering the highest quality services for a wide range of industries worldwide.
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In This Issue
Feature Story: New Product Introduction – Process Makes Perfect
Hot Topic: Using Concurrent Engineering for Better Results
News Feature: Chinese Partner Achieves ISO Certification
Featured Resource
Manufacturing Outsourcing: Seven Common Pitfalls to Avoid
We recommend this paper by Symphony Consulting and Arena Solutions.
Download the PDF »
Archives
Don't forget that you can view past issues of The Line on the OCM website.
Go to past issues »
Good Reading
“Middle ground in the middle kingdom” – OCM customer, Terrapin Communications, was featured in this Ottawa Business Journal Article that outlines why the company chose to outsource the manufacture of its Safety Turtle product to China through OCM Manufacturing.
Read the article »
“DFM Tips”
If you are in the process of designing a new product, our DFM Tips are all must-reads to help ensure everything runs smoothly from design to manufacture.
See all DFM Tips »
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
OCM Manufacturing provides services in French as well as English.
 Jed Ferguson recently joined OCM Manufacturing as a bilingual Program Manager.
Check out our new French website »
Contact OCM Manufacturing
OCM Manufacturing Inc.
2183 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1G 6C9
Phone: 613-736-5665
Toll Free Phone: 800-268-3961
Fax: 613-736-5525
info@ocmmanufacturing.com
www.ocmmanufacturing.com
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