The Sweet Spot in Mid Size EMS

Why Mid-Sized EMS Providers Are the Right Fit for OEMs Left Behind by Tier 1's

Bigger isn't always better in EMS.  Tier 1 EMS providers are global powerhouses - designed for large-scale, high repeatable processes and stable assemblies.

But if you're a mid-sized OEM - maybe you're adding electronics to an established product, launching something new, or managing lower volumes with unpredictable demand - you've likely felt the downside: slow responses, shifting priorities, and the unmistakable sense that your business just isn't big enough to matter.

That's the gap mid-sized EMS companies are built to fill.  And in many cases, they deliver something Tier 1s simply can't: true alignment with your priorities, pace, and complexity - driven by communication, executive access, and a focus on execution.

Because in EMS, bigger isn't always better - especially if you're not the biggest customer.

What OEMs Experience When Tier 1 Isn't the Right Fit

Tier 1s are exceptional at what they were built to do: execute large, stable programs with high repeatability and strict cost controls.  If you have millions of units and a mature supply chain, they deliver real value.

But if you don't fit that mold, Tier 1 strengths quickly become constraints:

• Engineering delays: Long waits for feedback - or no response at all.
• Surface-level quoting: Generic numbers with no engagement or context
• Inflexible processes: Tooling and test strategies optimized for scale, not your needs
• Deprioritized support: Escalations vanish behind higher-revenue accounts

We've heard it directly from OEMs:

"We got the slide deck.  We got the tour.  Then we waited three weeks for a quote that didn't reflect our supply chain input or our product.  No one asked questions.  No one challenged our assumptions.  It felt like a template - not a solution."

It's not just that the quote was vague.  It showed no path to execution.

How Mid-Sized EMS Partners Solve Differently

Mid-sized EMS companies, are built for a different kind of customer - and a different kind of engagement.

What does that look like?

• Responsive quoting with real engagement
• Engineering feedback before you place an order
• Direct access to leadership and decision-makers
• Tailored test and tooling strategies
• Hands-on ownership from kickoff through production

You're not just a job number.  You're a customer with specific goals, constraints, and expectations.  Mid-tier EMS providers meet you where you are.

What OEMs Should Look For in a Mid-Tier EMS

It's not enough to choose a provider that's "not a Tier 1."  Choose one that's purpose-built for your needs:

• Priority access: Will you be a top-tier customer, or an afterthought?
• NPI and prototype maturity: Do they treat early builds like production runs?
• Problem-solving mindset: Are they invested in understanding what's broken?
• DFM and test collaboration: Are they helping you reduce risk, or just quoting what's on the BOM?

The right EMS partner acts like an extension of your team - not just a vendor.

Why Alignment Outperforms Scale

The best EMS partner isn't the one with the biggest building.  It's the one aligned with your goals, your product, and your timeline.

If you're launching a new design, navigating volatile demand, or reworking your supply chain, you don't need a factory tour.  You need a partner who asks what's broken - and shows up ready to fix it.