Behind every manufactured product is a foundational technology or science that serves as the matrix for innovation. PCBAs, for instance, are the building blocks of sophisticated equipment used across aerospace, consumer electronics, automotive, and medical device applications; as a result, PCBA manufacturers need to keep up with the demands of the industry and consistently scale the ladder of innovation to stay profitable. Also, companies tend to outsource the manufacturing of PCBAs through electronic manufacturing services (EMS) in order to sustain demand and supply equilibrium. Offering advanced EMS for PCBA manufacturing through innovative technological solutions is Keytronic – a company that specializes in the development of tailor-made PCBAs, as well as full product assembly. The company accommodates varied customer requirements such as volume, mix, and complexity, assisting them in ensuring that their design objectives are addressing comprehensively.

Founded in 1969 as a keyboard manufacturer, Keytronic evolved into an industry-leading EMS supplier in the late 1990s, with a purpose to provide a one-stop-shop for all of its clients’ EMS needs while offering outstanding customer support at a low cost. “We offer complete product design and manufacturing capabilities including plastic molding, metal fabrication, and finishing, PCB assembly, full product assembly, and testing functions, all under one roof in a cost-effective footprint,” says Craig Gates, the CEO of Keytronic. The company offers comprehensive product design expertise, as well as assistance in DFM/DFX to decrease total manufacturing costs.

As a leading EMS provider, the company offers printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) project management, design, documentation, and

We provide a complete product design and manufacturing capabilities including plastic molding, metal fabrication, and finishing, PCB assembly, full product assembly and testing all under one roof in a cost-effective manner

artwork generation by using the latest software technologies to produce the highest quality products.Keytronic follows a centralized approach that helps easily transport products from one factory to another, thereby allowing its customers to relocate efficiently. Keytronic assigns a program manager with a multi-functional team to manage every customer. If a customer desires to move a product to a different Keytronic factory, the entire relocation process, which includes documentation, production control, and purchasing of the materials, is managed by the company. Keytronic’s supply chain is worldwide, headquartered in Spokane, WA but with an IPO in Shanghai, China. The headquarters in Washington serves as a global “command and centralized control hub” for all of the company’s production locations. The company’s global footprint helps customers in realizing cost benefits from offshore locations that are generally associated with only larger electronic manufacturing service providers. As an added advantage, Keytronic also provides superior customer service and transparent communication – which are noteworthy qualities of smaller providers.

Keytronic treats each of the clients and their projects equally while assisting all of them to achieve the desired outcome. To demonstrate the success of the company’s services, Mr. Gates shares the success story of a customer who approached them to lower manufacturing costs. The customer had visited a number of companies, including the top tier renowned contract manufacturers, but had not been able to find anyone that could meet their needs, improve overall results, and lower manufacturing costs. The potential customer was offered a complete re-design of their product by Keytronic, which included metal forming and finishing, electronics, and assembly. Keytronic assisted its customer in saving over 40 percent of their existing production costs. Such a success trail affirms the company’s modus operandi to address a multitude of requirements efficiently and cost-effectively.