Do you know the sourcing strategy in PCB manufacturing? In this passage, we are going to tell you all the information about sourcing strategy in PCB manufacturing, please check and read the content below.

Just as introduced at the beginning, lots of elements play a contributive role in PCB sourcing strategies formulation and it's difficult and meaningless to list them one by one. What you need is what you have to keep in mind during PCB sourcing procedure. Briefly speaking, the primary elements you have to take into consideration on PCB sourcing can be classified into two categories: something about you and your company and something about your partner.

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What Are the Common Problems about Sourcing Strategy in PCB Manufacturing?

Overseas manufacturers

While overseas manufacturing can offer a lot of benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of too:

·  The time zone differences may end up impacting your communications with an overseas PCB CM.

·  The geographical separation will negate any chance of working on your design together, as everything will have to be carried out remotely.

·  Overseas manufacturers can be influenced by national holidays or political problems.

·  A global emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic can alter an overseas manufacturer’s availability.

·  Shipping your completed project back can cost time and money with the current supply chain problems.

Domestic manufacturing

Single sourcing from a domestic manufacturer can also present some challenges.

·  Some areas of the United States will experience worse shipping problems than others, depending on their carriers.

·  Some states are still under strict COVID-19 mandates and protocols, which can affect how they conduct business.

·  The cost of doing business can vary from state to state, making circuit board production more expensive in some areas.

How to process sourcing strategy in PCB manufacturing?

Prior to selecting PCB fabricators, it's essential for you and your company to be fully aware of current situation of your company and your products.

On one hand, you should make clear at what level your products stay, ordinary type or high-end type, which directly leads you to pick up PCB fabricators with corresponding manufacturing capabilities. For ordinary electronic products, you should rely on a contract manufacturer performing well in mass-volume production with shorter lead time. Manufacturing capabilities, especially those indicating theirs on advanced PCBs like Flexible PCB, Flex-Rigid PCB, HDI PCB, Thick Copper PCB etc., however, are not so protruding. After all, as long as their manufacturing capabilities are compatible with the requirement of your ordinary electronics products, it's enough already. When it comes to high-end electronic products, nevertheless, what you should care about most is generally nothing but manufacturing capability and product quality.

On the other hand, you have to make clear of your cost and lead time. Money is the shadow of sourcing and it is usually an element calling for the most sensitivity. There are so many printed circuit board manufacturers available providing numerous quotations among which the most cost-effective you regard to be should be picked up. Lead time is closely related with your products' time to market and further the speed of your gain on your investment. If you cooperate with a PCB fabricator usually prolonging lead time, it must be very tough and unacceptable. Therefore, you should be aware of your lead time requirement and deadline you can accept.

The requirements of an often highly diversified PCB portfolio (technically and lot sizes necessities) traditionally meets a very different market reality on the supply side. PCB producers are often strong technically and commercially in mainly one particular PCB segment, e.g. low layer rigid boards only, or high volumes only, or flexible boards and low volumes only. This will not cover a wide and diversified PCB portfolio.

Sure there are producer around that offer multiple volumes and technologies from one source. However, one has to answer the question: Does this “Jack of all trades” situation always offer me the most reliable and competitive solution?

If you believe the answer to this question is “no”, naturally your sourcing policy tends to require a multiple sourcing strategy. If you believe the answer to this question is “yes”, naturally your sourcing policy tends to require a single sourcing strategy. Which sourcing strategy is the best and what are the strength and weaknesses?

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