Rechargeable batteries are used in everything from consumer electronics and medical devices to power tools and electric vehicles. But, the ubiquitous devices can be a pain to constantly charge.

A cell phone manufacturer had a problem: Although it was staffed by four assemblers, the screwdriving station had become a bottleneck.

Going with the flow of the marketplace not only makes sense for a manufacturer, it can also make the company lots of money. An equally beneficial strategy—implemented on an application-by-application basis—is to know the flow of each material being dispensed and equip accordingly. Electronics contract manufacturers are well aware of the benefits of both practices.

Most challenges manufacturers face involve the assembly process of one or more of their products. Sometimes, though, a company struggles with where to locate its headquarters or build another plant for market expansion.

Among the most innovative features on a new car is the keyless antenna, which emits a radio frequency signal to identify the owner’s key and open the car.

By 2030, electronics content will account for 50 percent of an automobile’s total production cost. Earlier this decade, it was only 30 percent.

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX——Siemens has opened its newly expanded assembly plant here. The 225,000-square-foot factory, which makes low-voltage circuit breakers, has added 100 workers, bringing total employment at the facility to 650 people.

SHANGHAI, CHINA--A New York University student recently interned undercover in a factory here that assembles Apple iPhones. He worked six days per week installing screws into iPhones for about $2.50 per hour. More

Since 2008, 28 million cars have been recalled in the United States because they contained air bags that could explode and hurl shrapnel into drivers during even minor fender benders. Ten deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to the faulty air bags.