Q&A With Founder/CEO Nick Frank
Greetings from the Knectiv team!
Recently, we reached out to our vibrant community and received a host of insightful questions about our manufacturing processes. We were thrilled to see the level of engagement and decided to share some of these questions and answers on our LinkedIn page. However, we realized there's so much more to cover.
That's why we're introducing this dedicated FAQ blog. Here, we'll delve even deeper into the world of manufacturing, guided by the expertise of our dedicated team. So, whether you're seeking clarity on a specific aspect of manufacturing or simply eager to expand your knowledge, you're in the right place. Feel free to explore, engage, and don't hesitate to reach out with any further questions.
Q: What kind of products do you work on?
A: We specialize in the development and manufacturing of industrial, medical and consumer electronics and plastic injection goods. Our expertise extends to a wide range of products, including sensors, IoT and all types of connected devices, medical devices, and power electronics. Our PCBs can be found in RFID tags embedded in Airbus flying across the skies or in cars such as BMW, Volvo and Mercedes driving across the country.
Q: Can you confirm if you operate as a comprehensive full-service contract manufacturer?
A: Yes, we operate as a full-service contract manufacturer. This means we have the capacity and expertise to manage all aspects of the manufacturing process, from design and prototyping to production, assembly, and packaging. We specilaize in low-mix, high-volume production but oversee smaller production runs as well. Our goal is to provide a seamless and comprehensive solution for our clients.
Q: Do you guys help with design, or should I already have those CAD files ready? Also, can you help make sure it's easy to manufacture and doesn't break the bank?
A: We've got you covered. We offer design services, including coming up with ideas, creating CAD models, and even making prototypes. But if you already have CAD files, we can definitely work with those too. We've also got a knack for making designs that are easy to produce (DFM) and don't blow the budget (DFC). We'll give you tips to make production smooth and keep costs down, all while maintaining top-notch quality. The advantage of working with us as a design house is that we coordinate directly with the manufacturing facilities that will be making your products, ensuring that your design is production-ready from the start.
Q: Can you assist in design optimization for manufacturability and cost-effectiveness?
A: Absolutely. Our team is experienced in design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for cost (DFC) principles. We can provide recommendations to streamline production and reduce costs without compromising quality.
Q: What are the requirements I need to get a quote for injection molding?
A: To give you an accurate quote for injection molding, we'll need a few things:
Detailed CAD files or product drawings
Special material requests or specific requirements
Quantity estimate and unique order details
Surface finish preferences
Additional service requirements like painting or assembly
Q: Can you only do injection molding or do you only do turnkey?
A: We provide both injection molding services and turnkey solutions. This means we can handle everything from design and prototyping to final assembly and packaging, or simply focus on the injection molding process, based on your needs.
Q: What is a product requirement document for product development and why is it helpful / necessary for us to evaluate the project?
A: A Product Requirement Document (PRD) is like a detailed map for building a product. It lays out all the specs, features, and functions. It's super important because it keeps everyone on the same page, gives clear directions to developers, prevents scope creep, ensures quality, and helps spot and tackle potential issues early.
Q: How do you handle and prioritize communication for urgent matters or priority issues?
A: We have a dedicated system in place for urgent matters. Our project managers are on call 24/7 and we utilize a priority escalation process to ensure that urgent issues are addressed promptly.
Q: How do you ensure that products consistently meet compliance standards?
A: We implement a rigorous quality control process that aligns with industry-specific compliance standards. This includes regular inspections, testing, and audits throughout the production process to guarantee that products consistently meet all required compliance standards.
Q: What measures do you have in place to protect intellectual property?
A: We take intellectual property protection seriously. Our facility employs strict access controls, and all employees are bound by confidentiality agreements. Additionally, we are open to signing additional non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to safeguard sensitive information.
Q: What is the extent of your capabilities?
A: Our capabilities cover a wide range of manufacturing processes including injection molding, CNC machining, PCB manufacturing, electronic assembly, and surface finishing. We also offer design and prototyping services, allowing us to provide comprehensive support from concept to production.
Q: What is your production capacity, and can it meet my anticipated demand levels?
A: Our current production capacity allows us to produce up to 50K units per month per product line, with no limit to production lines.. We can scale up if needed to meet higher demand.
Q: What quality control measures do you have in place during the manufacturing process?
A: We have a comprehensive quality control process in place that includes regular inspections at each stage of production. We're also ISO 9001 certified.
Q: Do you assist in sourcing raw materials, or will I need to provide them?
A: We can assist in sourcing standard materials, but if you have specific requirements, we recommend providing them.
Q: What are the shipping options available, and can you assist with freight forwarding and customs clearance?
A: We work with established shipping partners for international deliveries. We can handle freight forwarding, customs documentation, and provide tracking information.
Q: What are your typical MOQs, and are they negotiable based on production complexity or order history?
A: Our typical MOQ is 1,000 units, but this can be negotiated based on the complexity of the product.
Q: Can you assist with prototyping and providing product samples for approval before full-scale production?
A: We offer prototyping services to ensure the final product meets your specifications. This usually entails building a small amount of samples using the full-scale manufacturing process to ensure everything is set for mass production.
Q: Can you provide references or client testimonials from previous projects?
A: We'd be happy to provide references from our satisfied clients. Here are a few testimonials from previous projects:
“Zefon International is a longstanding partner with air quality experts around the world. With an extensive catalog of high-quality, high-tech equipment, we make tools to monitor environmental and occupational health and safety conditions.
In this field, accurate measurements and reliable equipment are key for our company. The ability for our customers to accurately sample and monitor various parameters with confidence is critical to regulatory compliance and safety alike. To that end, our manufacturing partners must meet the highest of standards both in terms of quality and efficiency.
Based on his track record of providing similar services to the quality conscious, high precision Swiss electronics industry for over a decade, we turned to Nicholas Frank and his company Knectiv to manufacture a key sub-assembly consisting of printed circuit board manufacturing, components sourcing and PCB assembly for one of our flagship air quality measurement systems.
We were extremely pleased with the rapidity, efficiency and high-touch customer care that Mr. Frank provided throughout our collaboration. Our products were delivered on-time, on-budget, and were of the highest quality. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Mr. Frank and Knectiv and would highly recommend them.
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“Merging is a Swiss company that develops groundbreaking professional audio and video equipment. Nicholas was the project coordinator for up to 6 simultaneous production lines that included printed circuit board manufacturing, PCB assembly, purchasing of hundreds of components, and logistics management.
Mr. Frank was responsible for crafting custom manufacturing solutions and ensuring that the strict quality requirements of Merging were met. His creativity, communication and quality were outstanding. We were extremely happy to have Mr. Frank integrated as part of our extended manufacturing team.
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“It’s been a pleasure working with Knectiv to bring the Elmore Pedal from prototype stage to scaled manufactured stage. Their expertise in design, development, and contract manufacturing made the entire process seamless and stress-free. They truly live up to their motto of “making hardware easy.” Throughout the entire process, Knectiv was always available to answer any questions and address any concerns. Their attention to detail and commitment to delivering a high-quality product was evident. ”
“CEBI Micromotors Switzzerland S.A., formerly MES, founded in 1976, is located in Stabio, Switzerland. As one of the world leaders in research, development and manufacturing of electric components for the automotive and household appliances as well as ventilation industries, we serve customers worldwide. Mr. Frank spearheaded efforts to prototype and validate multiple PCB and sub assemblies for our automotive product lines, adhering to scrupulous technical requirements defined by the auto industry. He was also responsible for ensuring that products were delivered on time to our Swiss premise, as interruptions in the supply chain are prohibitively expensive.
We rated Mr. Frank’s company extremely positive in our yearly supplier review due to their strict adherence to CEBI guidelines, including consistent quality, timely deliveries, cost effective solutions and overall a helpful and cooperative collaboration between our companies.
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