In this episode of Wired Success, Sales Engineer, Mark Cessar, talks with George Allman, Liberty Electronics’ Manufacturing Engineering Supervisor to ask some questions about how OEMs can benefit from collaborating with suppliers during the design phase of a project. During their discussion, George shares what suppliers can bring to the table and the overall value this offers OEMs.

Mark Cessar: Hi. My name is Mark Cessar and I’m here with George Allman for another discussion on Wired for Success presented by Liberty Electronics. We are here to talk today about the benefits of collaborative design. George has been working here at Liberty Electronics for twenty-three years as a manufacturing engineer. So we’ll just get started. My first question is “why should an OEM collaborate with a contract manufacturer like Liberty electronics? Are you saying that they don’t know what they’re doing? Are you saying that they don’t know their own design?”

George Allman: Not at all Mark. Our customers, OMS, that we work with are very well-versed in the product design that they’re trying to achieve. However, with Liberty Electronics and our 35 years of experience in manufacturing, we can sometimes bring more to the table that they may not be aware of. Sometimes that’s component selection, sometimes it’s methodologies, sometimes it’s the way that the product will fit together with something else.

MC: You mentioned your unique focus and following expertise. Can you provide some examples of how this could benefit any OEM?

GA: Sure Mark. Again, with their 35 years of experience in this industry, there’s oftentimes when an OEM or customer may suggest a component. However, again with our experience and working in military aerospace at commercial energy sectors, we can oftentimes recommend an alternate, something maybe that’s a little bit more suitable for the intended purpose that the customer may not be aware of.

MC: But won’t this take too much time in an already aggressive product schedule?

GA: Well Mark, it’s been our experience that usually solving issues and situations the earlier in the program that you can, it equates to saving time and money downstream throughout the entire project. And so what we see is the earlier that we can get involved with a project, the earlier that engineering here at Liberty Electronics can get involved in a project, we can oftentimes find solutions quicker, easier, and in a more timely manner and that’s to help the customer.

MC: Well, thank you, George. I appreciate your time. And thank you for tuning into this discussion on Wired Success presented by Liberty Electronics.