Cost-Efficient Manufacturing Practices for Military and Aerospace Products Are Outlined in New Management Brief from Federal Electronics

CRANSTON, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By adopting best practices from non-military markets, and adapting them to defense and aerospace applications, military original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can accelerate the reengineering process and reduce the time it takes to realize the cost reduction benefits, according to a new management brief available to download from Federal Electronics at http://www.federalelec.com/militarybrief.

“Cost-Efficient Manufacturing for Military and Aerospace Products”

Outsourcing of manufactured products at all levels has been an integral part of commercial and industrial OEM supply chain strategies for literally decades. But only recently has it gained traction with military contractors. To avoid an array of issues that may hamper outsourcing efforts, the brief, titled, “Cost-Efficient Manufacturing for Military and Aerospace Products,” recommends a series of common practices that promote cost efficiency and process agility. They include:

• Establishing outsourced product transfer procedures that build upon the current state of the manufacturing process.
• Implementing product/process documentation programs that promote collaboration in the supply chain.
• Opening reviews of new designs to key suppliers as early in the design phase as possible.
• Identifying non-critical, high-labor content elements of the product and introducing low-cost region manufacturing into the supply chain.
• Selecting an EMS provider who straddles the line between military and industrial applications.
• Accentuating current supply chain staffs with individuals whose skill sets were honed in the commercial, industrial, and medical environments.

According to the brief, prime contractors, tasked with wringing costs and delays out of their product development and fulfillment processes, will continue to harvest proven, best-in-class practices from non-military OEMs. Expanding the use of outsourcing methodologies with a properly aligned and sized supply chain will provide significant opportunity to achieve the levels of cost reduction and business process acceleration that are required to support defense and aerospace customers in the future, the brief states.

Download the new management brief, “Cost-Efficient Manufacturing for Military and Aerospace Products,” from http://www.federalelec.com/militarybrief.

About Federal Electronics

Founded in 1948, Federal Electronics, Inc., is a leading vertically-integrated electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider. Service offerings include advanced technology circuit card assembly, cable and wire harness assembly, fiber optic interconnect assembly and functionally tested higher level assemblies and system level integration. Based in Cranston, Rhode Island, and Hermosillo, Mexico, the electronics contract manufacturer serves the needs of military prime contractors and original equipment manufacturers by providing comprehensive production solutions that lower cycle times, control and reduce costs, and create flexible supply chains that are responsive to volume variability. For more information, visit http://www.federalelec.com.