“Throw in the additional issues of strict aerospace approvals and you can see how shifting production of PCBs to Asia, is not as simple as turning a switch. Unlike mass consumer markets, the aerospace sector works to strict quality measures – AS9100 for example – which could turn out to be a major stumbling block for the uninitiated searching for offshore alternatives to their current European or North American suppliers."

“Although it might sound surprising, the choice of materials in PCB manufacture is another key issue that is causing challenges for many aerospace OEMs looking to reduce costs. While they have been used to materials that are tested, known and consistent in terms of quality with local availability, sourcing from low cost economies presents a whole new set of issues that can severely disrupt production schedules if not managed efficiently."

“One of the biggest challenges for the aerospace sector – certainly where electronics sourcing is concerned - will be in the area of extended supply chain management. Outsourcing to low cost economies might sound like an attractive and timely strategy, given the ill winds of the global economic crisis, but getting it wrong could make matters worse. Aerospace manufacturers need to continue to work with their partners that can ‘de-risk’ this area of the outsourcing challenge."

Ends