Issue 322008

Greetings!

You may have heard that increasing wages overseas, rising gas prices and a weakening dollar have reduced or eliminated many of the cost advantages of contracting production overseas.  As businesses consider returning to the US, they are finding much of the infrastructure is either weakened or gone.  Many ECMs closed their doors, over the last decade, after the work went overseas.  This creates an opportunity for the remaining ECMs to recapture the businesses looking to return.  To support the additional business and existing customers, manufacturers must continually improve their processes and reduce costs.

This need for continuous improvement has prompted many ECMs to create powerful and effective solutions for specific isolated problems.  All too often, these vital solutions are created and die in independent pools of knowledge.  There hasn't been a good way to share and develop these important ideas without revealing weaknesses or reducing a competitive edge. 

We have found that companies are willing to share, they just want to protect their company and gain new ideas or improvements in return.  Although ECMs are in competition with each other, the real competition is overseas, and all US ECM's can win by helping each other.

Our industry experience and unique position as the only ERP provider focused on Electronic Contract Manufacturing gives us access to the information and allows us to be a neutral mediator for the discussion and combined efforts.  We all win with a stronger industry and more business back in the US.

For this reason, we decided to create the ManEx Minute Newsletter!  This weekly publication is a valuable yet quick read.  With a minute of your time, you can increase efficiency, learn more about the industry, and be better prepared for what tomorrow brings.  With your help, you can strengthen your business and the US industry and regain business lost over the past decade.

The first issue will start next week.  To help you understand what to expect, we have outlined the main sections of the newsletter below.

We look forward to your participation and feedback as you gain new insights and become a more effective provider of Electronic Manufacturing Services.
 
Sincerely,
 
David Sharp
ManEx, Inc.