How to Evaluate Experience, Compliance, and Scalability, and Why It Matters More Than Ever
When performance and reliability can’t be compromised, choosing the right Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner becomes one of the most critical decisions a program manager or engineer can make. Whether it’s an aerospace control board, a satellite subsystem, or an energy exploration assembly, every component must perform flawlessly under pressure, and that starts long before production.
Define “Mission-Critical” for Your Program
In industries like defense, aerospace, space, and energy, mission-critical doesn’t just mean “important.” It means failure is not an option. The EMS provider you select must be capable of manufacturing to the highest reliability standards — ensuring every build meets precise functional, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
Verigon’s Class 3 MIL-STD electronics assembly standards, AS9100D certification, and ITAR registration reflect this commitment. Each ensures consistent workmanship, documentation control, and material traceability from prototype through full-rate production, the baseline for mission assurance.
Evaluate Proven Experience and Certifications
A capable EMS partner should have a documented history in your market segment. Experience matters not just for technical execution, but for understanding the compliance landscape — from J-STD-001 with Space Addendum for orbital applications to ISO 9001:2015 for general quality management.
Verigon’s four decades of high-reliability manufacturing span programs that operate in vacuum, vibration, thermal shock, and high-pressure environments. That experience translates to a proven process discipline — where every solder joint, coating, and inspection protocol aligns with the performance profile your program demands.
Assess Process Control and Quality Systems
Beyond certifications, the real test is process control. The right partner will have a documented Quality Management System (QMS) with built-in continuous improvement and full process visibility.
Look for:
- Detailed first-article validation and defect tracking at the execution point.
- AOI, X-ray, and functional testing to verify internal integrity and electrical performance.
- Serialization and data retention for end-to-end traceability.
- Environmental protection services such as conformal coating, potting, and encapsulation to extend product life in harsh conditions.
At Verigon, quality isn’t an audit—it’s a culture. Every build follows the same rigor, whether for prototype or production, with IPC and NASA-certified trainers ensuring process discipline across the workforce.
Consider Scalability and Flexibility
Mission-critical programs often require rapid scaling, from proof-of-concept runs to full production, without compromising quality. That flexibility can only come from a partner with mature process infrastructure and a cross-trained workforce capable of shifting resources as programs evolve.
Verigon’s Phoenix-based facilities support low-volume, high-mix and high-volume Class 3 builds, ensuring continuity and control at every stage. Internal cross-training programs allow Verigon to adjust staffing dynamically, maintaining productivity and throughput even under shifting timelines or surge demands.
Prioritize Supply Chain Security and Location
Global supply chains are unpredictable. Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and shipping delays can quickly erode lead times and budgets. A domestic EMS partner provides direct control, faster communication, and greater resilience against disruption.
By manufacturing exclusively in the United States, Verigon delivers:
- Shorter lead times and stronger delivery control
- Reduced exposure to overseas risks and tariffs
- Superior oversight and quality verification
- Investment in U.S. innovation and workforce development
The result is a supply chain designed not only for speed — but for certainty.
Measure Responsiveness and Partnership
Finally, the best EMS partners act as extensions of your team — transparent, communicative, and invested in your success. Responsiveness, technical dialogue, and long-term program support are often the difference between simply meeting specs and achieving mission excellence.
At Verigon, collaboration begins with understanding each customer’s objectives, constraints, and end-use environments. This partnership-driven approach ensures every design decision and manufacturing step contributes to program success — today and through future production cycles.
Choosing Confidence. Choosing Verigon.
Selecting the right EMS partner is about more than technical capability — it’s about trust, traceability, and total accountability. Verigon brings all three together with U.S.-based precision manufacturing, certified processes, and decades of experience supporting the most demanding industries in the world.
When your next program demands mission-grade performance, choose a partner built for it.
Let’s Start Your Mission.
Connect with Verigon to discuss your next high-reliability build.
480-967-8989 | info@verigon.com | www.verigon.com
