Sure, when you talk to Program Managers, Account Managers, and Salespeople, they all have their own individual personalities. Some are type A, some type B, and you instinctively know how to speak with them. The question is, what is the personality of their company?

Is it to grow and be responsive (type A) or content and complacent (Type B). Sometimes it’s hard to know because the sales, program, and account managers do such a good job up front. But unbeknownst to you they may be fighting an uphill battle to get things done internally. Most times you won’t figure that out until something bad happens and the project is late.

If your project is a proof of concept, prototype, or first-time build, you absolutely need a type A company with type A employees. They must be responsive, and they must be able to deal with all disciplines internally with ease. Before you choose a CM, do yourself a favor and visit your contract manufacturer, get a tour of the manufacturing floor, and see what’s going on. Are they busy with their work and maybe not even noticing you walk by or are they paying more attention to you than what they are working on?

In a type A company, people are focused, account management is focused on you and your requirements, materials focused sourcing the components on your BOM and getting parts in as soon as possible, and manufacturing is focused on getting the process right, so the quality is perfect.

Make sure your contract manufacturer has the personality that fits your project.