-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueWhat's Your Sweet Spot?
Are you in a niche that’s growing or shrinking? Is it time to reassess and refocus? We spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche. What are their insights?
Moving Forward With Confidence
In this issue, we focus on sales and quoting, workforce training, new IPC leadership in the U.S. and Canada, the effects of tariffs, CFX standards, and much more—all designed to provide perspective as you move through the cloud bank of today's shifting economic market.
Intelligent Test and Inspection
Are you ready to explore the cutting-edge advancements shaping the electronics manufacturing industry? The May 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine is packed with insights, innovations, and expert perspectives that you won’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Do You Collaborate With Your Component Supplier?
July 15, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

Mention the word “collaboration” to a group of designers, and a few of them might acknowledge working closely with their fab and assembly partners. But how many designers consider their component providers to be true stakeholders in the process and collaborate with them regularly?
Duane Benson, founder of Positive Edge, has a long history of working on the component side of things. I asked Duane to weigh in with his thoughts on collaborating with component suppliers.
Andy Shaughnessy: We hear a lot of talk about the need for designers to collaborate with their fab and assembly partners, but component providers seem to be left out of the mix. Do you think component providers are also “stakeholders” in this process?
Duane Benson: Component suppliers are absolutely stakeholders in the design process. The supply chain isn't in as bad shape as it was a few years ago, but there is still too much variability to take it for granted. It's not uncommon to have easy availability for prototype quantities but limited availability for production quantities, or one package may be in good supply, but the one you want, not so much. Good supply chain partners can keep you from designing with unavailable parts, and they can help you find subs.
Shaughnessy: What does true collaboration look like between design, fab, assembly, and component provider?
Benson: In true collaboration, early BOMs are cleared with the supply chain, and are re-cleared at intervals throughout the design process—and not just for exotic parts. Sometimes passives and other common parts have issues too. Supply chain may also know about new and upcoming parts that could simplify a design. Fab and assembly should be used from the start for ground rules. Complex footprints or packages must be run past both fab and assembly for layout and manufacturing considerations.
Shaughnessy: After the supply chain snafu a few years back, it seems like a no-brainer to keep your component supplier in the loop. Do you think designers are communicating more now with the component folks?
Benson: Not really. Even during the worst of the troubles, engineers would often pick components without thought to availability. A tweak or redesign based on availability was too often a last resort and probably still is. The draw of a hot new MCU or such always seems to override the fact that more than prototype quantities are a year away.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the June 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
HyRel Technologies, NJ MET Announce Strategic Collaboration for Integrated Component Services
07/16/2025 | HyRelThe collaboration brings together two trusted names in the electronics industry, uniting over 75 years of combined expertise to offer a more complete solution for customers seeking fast, reliable, and cost-effective services.
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Addressing End-of-life Component Solderability Issues, Part 4
07/16/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileIn 1983, the Department of Defense identified that over 40% of military electronic system failures in the field were electrical, with approximately 50% attributed to poor solder connections. Investigations revealed that plated finishes, typically nickel or tin, were porous and non-intermetallic.
Arrow Electronics Launches Engineering Solutions Center to Support Tech Innovation Across India and Southeast Asia
07/09/2025 | Arrow ElectronicsArrow Electronics, a global provider of technology solutions, announced the launch of its new Engineering Solutions Center(ESC) in Bangalore, India.
I-Connect007’s Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/04/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007For our industry, we have seen several bullish market announcements over the past few weeks, including one this week by IDC on the massive growth in the global server market. We’re also closely watching global trade and nearshoring. One good example of successful nearshoring is Rehm Thermal Systems, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in Mexico and the official opening of its new building in Guadalajara.
Count On Tools Recognizes Donna Orr’s Ongoing Leadership and Impact Across 27+ Years
06/26/2025 | Count On ToolsCount On Tools, Inc. (COT), a leading provider of precision components and SMT spare parts, is proud to recognize Donna Orr, Executive Manager, for her continued dedication and leadership as she marks more than 27 years with the company.