Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine

Board Buying

Greg Papandrew Understand the landed cost before turning procurement over to EMS.

A good EMS partner brings real value. It manages assembly labor, SMT placement, inspection, test, rework, box build, documentation, scheduling and production discipline. That is what it is paid to do. EMS companies exist because OEMs need manufacturing execution without necessarily running a factory. In the standard EMS model, the EMS may also handle procurement, supply chain coordination and material sourcing on behalf of the OEM. That is normal. It is also convenient.

Read more: OEM Buyers: Stop Letting Your EMS Control Your Bare Board Spend

Greg Papandrew Hidden subcontracting in offshore PCB sourcing can expose OEMs and EMS providers to latent quality risks.

You’ve done your homework. You evaluated a new PCB supplier in China, negotiated a great piece price and placed your order. Weeks later, the boards arrive at your dock. They pass incoming inspection, hit the assembly line and everything seems fine.

Read more: The Phantom Menace of PCB Purchasing: How to Avoid 'Ghost Manufacturing'

Greg Papandrew The current US board market is spookier than it seems.

The email confirmation hits your inbox: Order Received. Status: In Process.

For a procurement manager or lead engineer, that notification usually triggers a dopamine hit. It’s the sound of progress. You’ve successfully navigated the internal approvals, you’ve selected a domestic vendor to avoid the headache of customs and the sting of new tariffs, and you’ve kept your supply chain close to home. You have done everything right.

Read more: The Ghost Queue: Why Your “Made in USA” Order May Be Gathering Dust

Greg Papandrew A PCB buying strategy shifts focus from unit price to total cost, design discipline and supplier governance.

This is not the year for buyers to accept PCB price increases blindly. This is the year to buy PCBs like a professional who understands the job isn’t just about placing orders; it’s about controlling total cost of ownership while protecting delivery, quality and continuity.

Read more: Do You Have a 2026 PCB Buying Strategy?