Your questions, answered

ESCATEC offers a full suite of manufacturing capabilities, from microelectronics, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), to box build, cabinet assembly, precision machining, mechatronics, plastic injection moulding, and complex system-level assembly. These services support a wide range of product requirements, and our focus on precision and integration ensures that even the most demanding applications meet exacting standards.

ESCATEC supports OEM programmes in the industrial, medical, and transportation sectors, and also builds for selected high‑end consumer and IoT products. Sector fit is assessed against requirements such as traceability, validation, cleanliness (where applicable) and change control. Relevant certifications across our global sites include ISO 13485 (medical) and IATF 16949 (automotive/transport).

Often, yes. Our design and manufacturing capabilities, along with our global footprint, span a wide range, enabling us to support you with everything from microelectronics and traditional PCB/Box Build products to large-format mechatronic machines. For portfolio work, we review each product’s demand pattern, complexity, test approach and supply risk, then agree on the best sourcing and manufacturing route. Many of our customers start with one or two priority products and add others in phases once the process is stable. 

During new product introduction, we review the PCB, mechanical design, bill of materials (BOM) and build/test process to identify manufacturability risks early. Typical outputs include a prioritised action list covering part selection, tolerances, panelisation, assembly sequence and test access. The aim is to improve yield, reliability and cost before prototypes or production, with changes controlled through agreed engineering change procedures.

We provide tiered Design for Excellence (DfX) reviews to reduce risks across the product life cycle, improve manufacturability, and speed up time-to-market. Scope is agreed upfront and can cover design for manufacture and test, reliability, cost, and compliance. Deliverables include practical recommendations and a summary report, presented after the consultation, prior to prototype release. Our DfX packages allow you to optimise costs through smarter design and material selection, strengthen the overall quality of your product, and ensure compliance for global markets.

Yes. ESCATEC integrates eco-conscious practices into product development, helping clients minimise waste, reduce emissions, and select sustainable materials. Where applicable, we align build and documentation requirements with regulations, including RoHS, REACH, and WEEE. DfE is handled alongside DfM/DfX, so environmental choices do not create avoidable manufacturing or compliance risks later in the programme.

Yes, design-only work can be supported when the scope and deliverables are clear. We typically agree on requirements, design inputs/outputs, verification expectations, IP ownership, and a handover package (for example, design files, BOM, and test intent). Some OEMs then add manufacturing to reduce transfer risk and shorten the time to production. Having a partner that can offer both design and manufacturing value enables our customers to transition through both stages seamlessly, avoiding additional costs and time.

We operate documented quality management processes, with controls tailored to product risk and customer requirements. This typically includes in-line inspections, defined acceptance criteria, non‑conformance control, corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), comprehensive testing, rigorous compliance checks, and internal audits. Our quality assurance adheres to internationally recognised standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485. For regulated programmes, we also support traceability and controlled change management.

Testing is defined by product requirements and failure risks. For PCB assemblies, available options include flying probe, in‑circuit test (ICT) and boundary scan. For assemblies and systems, we use functional testing to confirm performance against agreed specifications and (where relevant) regulatory requirements. Test plans, limits, and results are documented to support troubleshooting and traceability, providing the highest standards of reliability and quality prior to delivery.

We can support reliability and durability validation through environmental stress and functional testing, selected to match the product’s use case and to validate product reliability. Typical approaches include temperature/humidity exposure, power cycling, and extended functional run testing to ensure products are durable enough for long-term use in challenging applications. Results are recorded and reviewed against acceptance criteria, with any failures fed into root-cause analysis and corrective actions before release or ramp.

We support compliance by building to the applicable standards and maintaining the necessary documentation for audits and releases. This can include controlled processes, traceability, inspection/test records, and stage‑gated reviews from introduction to production. We can support programmes that require CE/UKCA technical files and manufacturing evidence, ISO certifications, and FDA approval.

We manufacture medical devices and diagnostics-related products under controlled processes aligned to ISO 13485 requirements. Support covers pilot builds through to series production, with appropriate traceability, cleanliness requirements (where applicable), and documented inspection and test. We also work with customers on change control and component substitutions to help maintain compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

ESCATEC leverages a global network of trusted suppliers and logistics partners to provide materials planning, cost control, purchase order management, supplier onboarding, vendor management services, and logistics coordination. Our supply chain network, with teams positioned worldwide, enables agile and cost-effective sourcing, lead-time monitoring, alternative part/supplier evaluation, and clear escalation routes for shortages. This robust, globally integrated supply chain enables us to support both regional and international manufacturing needs efficiently.

Sustainability is central to ESCATEC’s operations. We support sustainable, ISO 14001-aligned  manufacturing through responsible sourcing, reducing waste in production, and improving energy efficiency where practical. Sustainability requirements are agreed as part of the programme (for example, packaging preferences, reporting needs and restricted-substance compliance), and we aim to deliver products that meet eco-friendly standards, enabling clients to achieve sustainable product objectives with minimal environmental impact.

An everyday EMS programme is managed by a dedicated cross‑functional team covering engineering, procurement, production, and quality. Key Account Managers (KAMs), supported by Business Unit Managers, provide clear ownership for day-to-day actions to ensure that specifications, quality benchmarks, and timelines are consistently met, as well as regular reviews for scheduling, risk management, and changes. We use agreed project plans, issue tracking and change control so decisions are documented and auditable.

Yes, our global facilities and standard processes are designed for scalability. We support low-volume prototypes and pilot builds through to higher-volume production, with a defined ramp plan, to respond to evolving client needs. Scaling typically includes capacity planning, process validation, test readiness, and supplier readiness. When programmes move between sites, we aim to use standard documentation, work instructions, and quality controls to maintain consistency.

There is no single minimum order quantity (MOQ) because it depends on product complexity, component supply constraints, and the level of service required. We build programmes ranging from low volumes of larger, complex mechatronic assemblies to high volumes of tiny individual microelectronics devices; typical shipments can be from hundreds to tens of thousands of units per month. Because we focus more on value-add than quantity, we need to understand typical order quantities, frequency of order placement, where the product is in its lifecycle, rough unit pricing, complexity of service required, and post-production customer service expectations—details that can determine fit during a 30-minute, no-obligation consultation.

Yes. We have decades of experience managing factory transfers and production moves, transitioning in-house production, testing, and shipping processes to a more cost-effective and efficient outsourced model. Our proven processes and frameworks are risk-led: we define data accuracy, supply chain management, and internal team resource requirements to minimise complications and ensure you gain the maximum benefits. Successful transfers typically require executive sponsorship and a dedicated joint project team to facilitate timely decisions and issue resolution.

Yes. We can support product lifecycle management (PLM) activities once a product is in production. This typically includes engineering change implementation, documentation control, component substitutions, and support for product longevity or end‑of‑life planning. The goal is to maintain build stability and compliance as parts and requirements change, while keeping a clear revision history for audit and traceability.

We protect confidential information and intellectual property through robust cybersecurity protocols, contractual controls (including NDAs), role-based access, and secure handling of customer data and design files. Our cybersecurity controls are aligned with recognised standards, such as ISO 27001. We also control access on the shop floor and in engineering areas, and train personnel on information security and IP protection requirements, ensuring that confidentiality and security are at the core of our operations.