Subcontracting to Improve Competitiveness Available to Purchase

Subcontracting of manufacturing work in the electrical/ electronics industry was surveyed. It can provide competitive advantage and is increasingly used for production of multi‐element components, and by younger more go‐ahead electronics manufacturers who make a clear distinction between what are “core” activities and therefore to be kept in‐house and what are not. The article discusses what type of work to contract out, the strengths and weaknesses of subcontractors and the stage at which to involve them.