Generating strong partnerships in business

It may be tradition to stick your flag in the ground and mark your territory in business but times have changed.  The way we have been generating work as of late is through establishing good relations with other businesses.

Once you can be sure that you have no conflict in interest there is much that can be gained from working with other people.  even pointing a customer in the right direction if you don’t have the exact application for them can result in work swinging back your way.

Don’t let pride get in the way of pushing your business forward.

Happy birthday to us.

So here  we are 2 years down the line after Midwinter’s rebirth.  So how have we done? Given the state of the economy over the last couple of years its impressive that we are here at all.  We are still gifted with a fantastic team who are giving their all and more.  To them all I say you are Legends and Thank you.

Sadly we have seen many of our contacts and competitors fall by the wayside in these tough times.  But as Mr Dylan said “The times they are a changing” Already starting into September the sun tans are starting to fade and everyone is realising that its back to business.

We are starting to generate new contacts within various industries and some long-term projects look like they are finally coming together.

Exciting times are ahead stick with us people

Now who wants some cake?

 

 

The best shoes Ever!

Check out these bad boys! http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/sneakers-for-geeks-and-hackers-are-made-from-recycled-computer-chips.php

The benefits and pitfalls of sourcing PCBs from China.

After several discussions with new customers this week, the issue of PCB sourcing has come up a number of times. 

The main issue is that of cost verses turn around time.  The main reason for this is whether or not a company decides to source from china.  The primary plus side to source from china is the lower cost, which a UK company simply can not compete with.

Midwinter as a rule prefers to source from the UK for several reasons.

* The real savings only come into play when you to start to order in thousands.

* Turn around times are weeks rather than days.  This can be accommodated for but if you have a problem, you are waiting weeks to get it sorted

* If there is a problem you can’t speak to someone immediately due to the different time zones.

* You can not return the boards due to China importation laws.

We are always prepared to source from overseas if our customer requires.  Before you take purely the cheapest option, think what is the best and most reliable option.

Box Building and Contract Assembly

Was having a catch up with the companies former MD yesterday and he used the phrase Box building as what we do here.

“Box building” rather an old school phrase but yet strangely still relevant. Essentially a lot of what we do is build boxes, with some complicated bits in them.  We do have a need to over complicate phrases these days.  So rather than a Binman, we have a domestic refuse handling operative.  If anyone can think of any other over the top job titles, feel free to leave suggestions in the comments section below.

Thanks Peter- Chief Informal Communications Officer and Digital Correspondene Co-ordinations Manager

SMT boards and using contract assembly companies

People often wonder why companies like us exist.  The reason is simple cost.  For a smaller to medium sized company to shell out on equipment is a massive investment.  The time it takes for a pick and place machine to pay for itself is long enough for us.  So for a company that is starting out or only need to produce small numbers its a ridiculous exspense.  Also using an outside company to assemble your product saves time, money and above all stress.  That is as long as they are kept in the loop.

After years of experience the biggest complaint I still here is lack of communication.  So many businesses get it wrong when they ignore their customers.  Thinking that you shouldn’t contact someone, especially with bad news is a big mistake.  Yet I see so many companies adopt this attitude time after time.

That is why people come to us.  The good thing is that we are not greedy.  We are not trying to be the biggest company, just the best we can be.  Everyone in this building works closley with one another.  We are all fighting for the common cause…..a happy customer with the possibility of repeat business.   The level of personal service we provide is simply lost with bigger companies.

What’s the best way to communicate in business?

Trade shows and their purpose

Not too long ago we attended an Industry trade show.  These things as you probably know are not cheap as well as taking you away from your business.  Now what has become very interesting to me over the previous week is this……… People pass you their contact details and you do the same and then they get very surprised when you….. wait for it…….. contact them.

So for all you grumpy business people out there (you know who you are) here is a suggestion if you do not want me to contact you that’s fine.  If however you give me your business card in person please do not take offence if I e-mail you or give you a very quick phone call.  One person I spoke to actually said “we only went as a contact swapping exercise”.

 This is obviously a cool new hobby that I am not aware off. I can picture it now business managers across the country going “got,got,got,need,got,need ill swap you this one”.  Well its one expensive hobby that’s for sure, because if all you are doing is swapping cards and not trying to expand your contact base then you are paying thousands for the privilege.  Perhaps it may be better if they got some top trumps instead.

So to summarise a Trade show is about growing your business folks or have I been sadly misled?

The Ultimate Geek Gifts

Our office administrator Beth sent me this link to this cool website that do loads of stuff made out of old circuit boards.  I really hope that there are no Midwinter Customers stuff in there lol!  any way check it out here http://www.revolve-uk.com/Products/products_circuitboards.htm

If anyone is paying attention I think the clock would look really cool in our office (hint hint)

Welcome to the Midwinter Technology Blog!

Hello and welcome to the Midwinter team blog where we hope to post items VERY loosely conected to our wonderful industry of electronic assembly