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MacroFab Streamlines Production for Keyless Security Brand
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Applicable Industries
- Buildings
- Electronics
Applicable Functions
- Facility Management
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Additive Manufacturing
- Rapid Prototyping
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
The keyless security brand, a provider of devices for commercial real estate buildings, parking garages, and multi-family residential complexes, was facing a major challenge in its production process. The company had been working with a cost-effective Taiwanese contract manufacturer, which was capable of handling production-level volumes. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about frequent engineering design changes, which required significant oversight from the facility. The 14-hour time zone difference between the client and the manufacturer made real-time collaboration difficult. Overseas flights to facilitate on-site collaboration were considered, but these would delay production times and increase manufacturing costs. Given the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, it was clear that this arrangement would not be sustainable.
About The Customer
The customer in this case study is a keyless security brand that provides devices for commercial real estate buildings, parking garages, multi-family residential complexes, and other spaces that would otherwise require entry via physical keys, cards, and badges. The company was acquired by a Fortune 500 company in late 2021, which turbocharged the startup’s ability to grow and reach new customers. Prior to partnering with MacroFab, the brand worked exclusively with a cost-effective Taiwanese contract manufacturer. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about challenges in the production process, leading the company to seek a more sustainable solution.
The Solution
The company turned to MacroFab, a North American manufacturer, to overcome these challenges. MacroFab's unique and streamlined approach to electronics manufacturing offered significant advantages. The company's engineering team could collaborate with MacroFab engineers in real-time on potential design changes, eliminating the need for expensive international trips. MacroFab's robust network provided the company with ultimate flexibility in committing volume at every stage of the electronics manufacturing lifecycle. A few designs needed updating before full-scale production could continue. MacroFab suggested the company perfect its designs first in U.S. facilities built for rapid prototyping. Once all stakeholders were confident in the new designs, MacroFab moved production to a more cost-effective facility in Mexico, offering a similar price structure to the Taiwanese facility, but without the engineering-design change anxiety and inflexibility.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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