--- title: 4 Tips for Getting the Most From Your PCB Assembly Manufacturer description: Learn 4 tips that will help you create a strong, rewarding partnership with your outsourced PCB assembly manufacturer. image: https://www.rbbsystems.com/hs-fs/file-47015312-jpg/images/7new-1326814628-resized-600.jpg --- [fa icon="phone"]  [330-567-2906](tel:330-567-2906)   |   [START A QUOTE](https://offers.rbbsystems.com/ordering-options) [![rbb_logo_icon_horizontal](https://www.rbbsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rbb_logo_icon_horizontal.png?width=8358&name=rbb_logo_icon_horizontal.png "rbb_logo_icon_horizontal")](https://www.rbbsystems.com) [![CONTACT US](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/209590/654c2daf-965a-4fe5-9335-584de44f10f4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/209590/654c2daf-965a-4fe5-9335-584de44f10f4) # 4 Tips for Getting the Most From Your PCB Assembly Manufacturer Posted by [Bruce Hendrick](https://www.rbbsystems.com/blog/author/bruce-hendrick) on Thu, Aug 6, 2020 @ 14:08 PM ![Batch PCB](https://www.rbbsystems.com/hs-fs/file-47015312-jpg/images/7new-1326814628-resized-600.jpg?width=350&name=7new-1326814628-resized-600.jpg "custom circuit")To create a strong, rewarding experience with an outsourced PCB assembly manufacturer, we recommend following these 4 tips:  ## **Tip 1: Voice Problems and Concerns ** Even though it can be risky and expensive to change contract manufacturers (CMs), common industry practice is to move the business to a new supplier instead of facing a performance concern head-on. So, essentially, tip #1 is: Just say it. Often it’s not the problem itself but how your supplier responds to it that builds confidence. Weak partners avoid conflict, causing long-term damage to reputations. Good business partnerships are built on mutual honesty, trust, and commitment because these are the things that allow personal relationships to develop over time. Is there something important you haven’t told your PCBA manufacturing partner? Regardless of how long you’ve been working with them, be sure to voice your concerns so that your issues get proper attention and resolution.   ## **Tip 2: Be Transparent With Technical Requirements** Outsourced PCBA manufacturing companies work with a lot of different clients, each with their unique technical specifications and needs. This is why it’s imperative that you provide your manufacturing partner with your unique requirements up front. This is especially true when you're [introducing a new product into the market ](https://www.rbbsystems.com/capabilities/new-production-introduction)or you have certain cosmetic acceptability standards or other requirements that vary from the industry-standard (IPC) guidelines. ## **Tip 3: Divide and Conquer ** Has your PCBA manufacturing partner ever told you they couldn’t take on new business from you? Yes, it happens, and it can leave you in the lurch at a critical time. It’s important to appreciate why a trusted partner might choose to pass on your business. Outsourced PCB assembly manufacturers are usually optimized to handle a specific range of production batch sizes. When they take on batch sizes outside of their sweet spot, it may cause delivery problems throughout their customer base, including you. If you know you’ll have batches that vary greatly in requirements, consider working with two outsourced PCB assemblers, one with expertise in large batch PCBA manufacturing and another that specializes in small batch PCBA manufacturing. This allows you to leverage the sweet spots of both providers and ensures you’ll always have a qualified partner to turn to. [Read this comparison](https://www.rbbsystems.com/blog/bid/391364/Large-Batch-vs-Small-Batch-Electronic-Contract-Manufacturers) that talks through what it's like to work with PCBA manufacturing companies that excel in large batches versus those that specialize in small batches. Also, make sure you fully understand the range of services and [manufacturing support](https://www.rbbsystems.com/capabilities/manufacturing-support) your PCB assembly manufacturer is capable of providing. ## **Tip 4: Conduct Joint Reviews of Custom Materials  ** If your outsourced assemblies use customized parts, sourcing challenges may arise. When faced with these situations, it’s common for PCB assembly manufacturers to experience material obsolescence, unexpected price increases, growing minimum orders, and other challenges. To prevent materials issues from occurring at a critical time, ask your PCB assembly manufacturer to conduct a quarterly or bi-annual review with you about your customized material needs. Your partner should be able to: - Identify the most troubling components - Provide potential substitutes - Offer a purchasing letter of intent (to secure a known supply) - Recommend a board update or redesign Whatever the recommendation is, it’s best to have a game plan in place before the crisis occurs.  ## Take the Next Step in Finding the Right PCB Assembly Manufacturer You've already done some of the research—now's the time to dig a little deeper. If you have questions about any of these tips, dd them s to the comments or [contact us](https://offers.rbbsystems.com/contact-rbb-systems). *This article was originally published on January 22, 2018.  Topics: [Small Batch Electronics](https://www.rbbsystems.com/blog/topic/small-batch-electronics), [Circuit Board & Assembly & Manufacturing](https://www.rbbsystems.com/blog/topic/circuit-board-assembly-manufacturing), [Contract Manufacturing](https://www.rbbsystems.com/blog/topic/contract-manufacturing) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/209590/c47eaf79-5e2a-46ea-aae7-3781b59ea5b6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/209590/c47eaf79-5e2a-46ea-aae7-3781b59ea5b6) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/209590/047a32ad-d3af-44ca-909d-5a1f155dcef5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/209590/047a32ad-d3af-44ca-909d-5a1f155dcef5) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/209590/cf27fa37-8048-46e9-9d39-376ff49330c9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/209590/cf27fa37-8048-46e9-9d39-376ff49330c9) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - 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