Introduction
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are at the heart of electronics serving as the foundation for mounting and interconnecting electronic components. PCB manufacturing involves fabricating the bare PCBs while PCB assembly is the process of soldering components onto the boards.
Many companies offer end-to-end manufacturing capabilities spanning PCB fabrication, component assembly, testing and other services. Choosing a manufacturing partner with integrated capabilities can simplify sourcing and enable seamless production.
This article examines the top 15 electronics companies offering PCB manufacturing and assembly solutions. We evaluate their capabilities, technologies, industries served and other factors to help identify the right partner for your project needs.
Top 15 Manufacturers Offering PCB Fabrication and Assembly
1. Rayming Technology
Rayming is a leading global provider of integrated PCB manufacturing and assembly solutions. Based in China with manufacturing facilities worldwide, Rayming offers comprehensive electronics production services.
Rayming possesses advanced PCB fabrication capabilities including multi-layer, HDI, flexible and rigid-flex boards. They also specialize in SMT, DIP, BGA, COB and other component assembly techniques.
Supporting small to medium scale production, Rayming delivers high-reliability PCB assemblies across industrial, automotive, medical, communications and other segments.
2. Flex
Flex is among the largest global electronics manufacturers headquartered in Singapore. They provide PCB fabrication, component assembly, testing and supply chain services spanning dozens of facilities across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Flex manufactures all types of bare PCBs from single-sided boards to complex multi-layer HDI and flexible circuits. Their assembly lines can place extremely fine pitch components for high-density PCB assemblies.
With expertise in DFx and new product introduction, Flex delivers optimized solutions across the product lifecycle for diverse applications from consumer electronics to automotive.
3. Jabil Circuit
Jabil Circuit is a leading Fortune 500 EMS firm headquartered in Florida, USA operating over 100 production facilities globally. Jabil offers integrated PCB fabrication, circuit assembly, testing and product realization services.
Jabil possesses specialized capabilities to manufacture PCBs including multi-layer, flex, rigid-flex and substrates. They also assemble PCBs with conventional and advanced components including 01005 passives, CSPs and 0.4 mm pitch BGAs.
Their manufacturing expertise spans consumer, telecom, automotive, healthcare, cleantech and other industries. Jabil delivers comprehensive, tailored solutions from prototyping through high-volume production.
4. Sanmina Corporation
Sanmina Corporation is a multinational EMS company providing advanced manufacturing services from components to complete product assembly and test. Headquartered in California, they have production facilities across the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Sanmina offers an array of PCB fabrication solutions including conventional, HDI, flex and rigid-flex boards. They also provide component assembly and test services for these PCBs to deliver finished boards and assemblies.
Serving OEMs globally, Sanmina specializes in developing optimized manufacturing solutions for industries ranging from medical and defense to automotive, computing, storage and networking.
5. Celestica
Celestica is a leading Canadian EMS company providing PCB fabrication, circuit assembly, systems integration and other services worldwide. They possess over two dozen manufacturing locations spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Celestica manufactures a wide variety of board types including multi-layer, flex, rigid-flex and metal-based PCBs. Component assembly services cover conventional through-hole to ultra-fine pitch SMT assembly.
Their expertise serves customers across industrial equipment, aerospace and defense, networking/telecom, healthcare, semiconductor equipment and other markets. Celestica delivers high-quality, integrated PCB manufacturing and assembly solutions.
6. Plexus
Plexus is a Wisconsin-based EMS firm offering electronics design, PCB fabrication and manufacturing services facilitating optimized product realization globally. They have a global footprint with manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Plexus provides rapid prototyping to volume production of various board types - multilayer, HDI, flex and rigid-flex. Their miniaturization and integration expertise enables complex PCB assemblies.
Serving mid-to-low-volume, high-mix products, Plexus serves the industrial/commercial, healthcare/life sciences, aerospace/defense and communications markets through collaborative partnerships.
7. Sierra Circuits
Sierra Circuits is an EMS company providing PCB fabrication, assembly, box build and test services for rapid product realization. Headquartered in California with manufacturing in the USA and China, they deliver solutions globally.
Sierra Circuits manufactures prototype through volume production of a variety of board types including rigid, flex, rigid-flex and RF microwave PCBs. Their turnkey assembly services cover SMT, through-hole and mixed technology boards.
Their expertise serves the defense, aerospace, medical, semiconductor capital equipment and industrial equipment sectors. Sierra Circuits delivers tailored, high-quality PCB solutions from concept to finished product.
8. VTech EMS
VTech is an EMS firm headquartered in China with manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam. They offer integrated fabrication, component assembly, testing and supply chain services for PCB production.
VTech provides cost-effective manufacturing of conventional, HDI and flexible PCBs. Assembly services range from SMT, DIP through-hole to box build. Functional test, programming and IQC/OQC testing validates assembly quality.
Serving diverse sectors, VTech focuses on consumer electronics, industrial equipment, automotive electronics, IoT and telecom infrastructure. They deliver quality, budget-friendly solutions tailored for small-medium volumes.
9. Key Tronic
Key Tronic is an American EMS company with production facilities in the USA, Mexico and China. They provide integrated contract manufacturing solutions including PCB fabrication, assembly, systems integration and testing.
Key Tronic manufactures conventional and complex PCBs focused on lower-mid volumes. Assembly services range from SMT to through-hole, box build and cable harnessing matched to customer needs.
They specialize in producing keyboards, joysticks and other input devices, medical equipment, industrial controls, power supplies and LED lighting products.
10. Kimball Electronics
Kimball Electronics provides full product lifecycle solutions including electronic engineering, PCB fabrication, assembly, test and logistics. Headquartered in the US with manufacturing locations worldwide, they deliver tailored solutions globally.
Kimball offers rapid prototyping and low-medium volume production of a variety of board types including rigid, flex, and rigid-flex. Their assembly services cover SMT and through-hole components.
Supporting a range of markets from automotive and industrial to medical, public safety and instrumentation, Kimball delivers high-mix, quick-turn, prototype to medium volume PCB fabrication and assembly.
11. Lenthor Engineering
Lenthor Engineering is a Florida based turnkey EMS provider offering PCB design, manufacturing, component assembly, product testing and box build services.They possess manufacturing capabilities in the United States and Asia.
Lenthor specializes in quick-turn prototyping to medium volume production of a variety of PCBs including multilayer, RF/microwave, flex and rigid-flex boards. They offer conventional and advanced component assembly processes.
Their solutions serve the commercial aviation, defense, space, wireless infrastructure, medical device and high-end computing industries through flexible manufacturing strategies.
12. Epec Engineered Technologies
Epec is a full-service EMS company providing integrated solutions from PCB design and fabrication through assembly, testing and configuration. Headquartered in Massachusetts, they possess manufacturing capabilities in the US, Europe and Asia.
Epec manufactures prototype through volume production of conventional multilayer, HDI, flexible and rigid-flex boards. Component assembly services include SMT, through-hole, press-fit and more.
Serving high-mix, low-medium volumes, Epec specializes in engineered solutions for the medical, industrial equipment, semiconductor and military/aerospace sectors.
13. Amitron Corp
Amitron is a US-based EMS firm offering end-to-end manufacturing including PCB fabrication, component assembly, systems integration and test. They have production facilities in the United States and Mexico.
Amitron provides rapid prototyping and volume production of a variety of PCB types including multilayer rigid and flex boards. They offer SMT and through-hole assembly tailored to component types and production volumes.
Their manufacturing solutions serve mission-critical applications for medical, military/aerospace, high-end computing and telecommunications industries.
14. Innovative Circuits
Innovative Circuits, headquartered in California, provides PCB fabrication, component assembly, box build and product certification services for short run and volume production.
They manufacture rigid, rigid-flex, flex, HDI and metal-based PCBs using quick-turn and volume production technologies. SMT and through-hole assembly is offered for short runs or volume requirements.
Serving startups and established OEMs, Innovative Circuits delivers high-mix, fast time-to-market PCB manufacturing and assembly tailored for low and mid-volume applications.
15. Advanced Assembly
Advanced Assembly is an EMS company specializing in low-mid volume, quick-turn PCB manufacturing and assembly. Based in Colorado, their facilities in the US and China deliver solutions worldwide.
They offer fast prototype through volume production of conventional and complex multilayer boards, flex, rigid-flex PCBs. SMT, through-hole and mixed assembly services provide complete solutions.
Serving small companies through large OEMs across various sectors, Advanced Assembly provides an agile, streamlined approach to PCB fabrication and assembly tailored for NPI and low-mid volumes.
Key Considerations for Selecting a PCB Production Partner
Choosing the right EMS partner for your PCB fabrication and assembly needs depends on assessing some critical aspects:
Range of Capabilities
- Can they manufacture all the necessary board types - multilayer, flex, HDI, RF?
- Assembly technology expertise - SMT, through-hole, BGA, flip chip, chip-on-board?
- Secondary processes offered - conformal coating, potting, cable and harness assembly, box build?
- Testing capabilities - ICT, boundary scan, flying probe, functional test?
Technology and Quality
- Possession of cutting-edge PCB fabrication technology like finer lines/spaces, laser drilling/direct imaging?
- SMT lines capable of assembling ultra-fine pitch components?
- Quality certifications - ISO 9001, IPC, ITAR?
- Adherence to standards such as IPC-6012 for fabrication and IPC-A-610 for assembly?
Volume Production
- Ability to support low to high volumes along the product lifecycle?
- Change management and process flexibility for forecast fluctuations?
Company Profile
- Experience and reputation serving customers in your industry?
- Locations close to your site for reduced logistics costs and lead times?
Cost and Lead Times
- Overall cost structure competitive - raw board pricing, assembly pricing?
- Lead time capabilities aligned with your needs?
- MOQs that fit your budget and ordering constraints?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some key differences between PCB fabrication and component assembly?
PCB fabrication involves processes such as layer lamination, drilling/routing, metallization, patterning and coating to manufacture the bare printed circuit board. PCB assembly is the process of soldering or assembling electronic components onto the fabricated bare board.
Key differences:
- PCB fabrication focuses on the board itself while assembly involves selection and loading of electronic components.
- Fabrication requires equipment like lamination presses, photolithography and drilling/routing. Assembly uses pick-and-place and soldering machinery.
- PCB fabrication involves largely chemical/electrochemical processes while component assembly leverages more mechanical/electrical processes.
- PCB fabrication facilities require significant investments compared to assembly lines.
Q: What are the benefits of choosing an EMS provider with integrated fabrication and assembly capabilities?
Benefits of using an EMS firm with combined PCB manufacturing and component assembly include:
- Simplifies sourcing - single vendor for fabrication through assembly
- Seamless transfer between processes compared to separate suppliers
- Better change management across processes enabling fast time-to-market
- End-to-end accountability for quality and performance
- Lower costs through aggregated volumes
- Consolidated logistics and inventory management
- Consistent communication and program governance
Q: What key information is required for quoting PCB fabrication and assembly?
To enable PCB manufacturers to provide fabrication and assembly quotations, the following information is typically required:
For fabrication:
- PCB design data - Gerber files, drill data, layer stackup, mechanical drawings
- Board specs - material type, layer count, finish, solder mask color, thickness, tolerance etc.
- Quantity required
For assembly:
- BOM - Component descriptions, designators, part numbers, quantities
- Assembly drawings
- Type - SMT, through-hole or mixed technology
- Lead times for customer supplied components if applicable
- Testing requirements
- Quantity required
Q: What are some key factors that influence PCB fabrication and assembly pricing?
Some key determinants of PCB fabrication and assembly pricing include:
For fabrication:
- PCB technology - conventional vs HDI or flex boards
- Layer count - more layers require additional lamination cycles
- Size and panel utilization - smaller boards cost more
- Production volume - high volumes benefit from economies of scale
- Special processes - impedance control, buried/blind vias, via filling etc.
For assembly:
- Components - BGAs, QFNs, 01005 and smaller components are more expensive to place
- Density - more components per unit area increase cost
- Production volume - high volumes achieve lower cost through efficiencies
- Rework - manual rework due to design complexity can increase cost
- Testing - programming, functional test, ICT etc. add cost
Q: What are some best practices for quality management across PCB fabrication and assembly?
Some best practices for quality management:
- Perform design reviews to ensure manufacturability before production
- Use certified suppliers for raw PCB materials and assembly components
- Adopt robust process controls - regular machine qualification, preventive maintenance etc.
- Execute comprehensive inspection and testing at multiple points
- Follow IPC standards and quality acceptance criteria for fabrication and assembly processes
- Obtain ISO 9001 or other relevant certifications
- Capture quality data to identify recurring issues and implement corrective actions
- Share detailed inspection reports, defect analysis and corrective actions with suppliers
- Conduct periodic audits of EMS facilities, quality systems and product samples
Conclusion
There are significant benefits in partnering with an EMS company that provides integrated PCB manufacturing and component assembly capabilities. This article compiled the leading global providers offering these combined services along with criteria to evaluate their technical expertise, quality systems, value and other factors critical for your product needs. Selecting the right manufacturing partner providing these synergistic solutions can enable reduced time-to-market, lower costs and better reliability across the electronics production cycle.