We have often come across many CIOs saying that technology is relatively easy; it is people that are hard. Indeed, for all the technological transformations, human factor is most likely to determine the ultimate success or failure. In fact, according to a recent Gallup Research, companies that apply the principles of behavioral economics outperform their peers by a whopping 85 percent in sales growth.

In the electronics manufacturing realm, however, such a people-friendly culture represents something a little more radical. It is a far cry from the relentless focus on performance, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction—which traditionally characterizes the idea of human-centricity. Instead, for electronic manufacturers, it is more about trusting the notion of doing right by customers (and employees) to achieve a like-minded goal.

With a more profound realization of what makes people (clients and employees) tick, electronics manufacturers can create meaningful pieces of equipment; not to mention the greater engaging experiences and valuable disruptions that the machinery will bring along the way. This is precisely what Kimball Electronics [NASDAQ:KE] vows for. The company’s core mission resides in bridging the technology gap with a people-first standpoint. “For Kimball Electronics, the human side of technology comes first; all the other electronics and manufacturing aspects come in between,” says Donald D. Charron, Chairperson and CEO of Kimball Electronics.

Notably, this characteristic of Kimball Electronics resonates effectively among its clients—and the manufacturing industry as a whole—that has made them a global, multifaceted electronics manufacturing solutions provider. The company offers end-to-end engineering, design, and manufacturing solutions, including contract electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and diversified contract manufacturing services (DCMS), along with automation, test and measurement services to facilities in the automotive, medical, industrial, and public safety domains. Its award-winning people-first technological solutions and services delivered through a highly integrated global footprint, stringent quality systems, customer relationship management model, and supply chain support is undoubtedly creating a better quality of life for the world around us.

Your End-to-End Electronics Manufacturing Services Partner

Since 1961, Kimball Electronics has provided comprehensive EMS services and also grown alongside its customers. The design and engineering team at Kimball showcases unparalleled expertise in all things electronics. On top of that, the company has a unique and agile methodology for handling projects to create the best possible products for clients.

The process usually starts with a planning session that validates all the project constraints. This step also involves collaborating with the client to help Kimball’s design and engineering team get more context about the solution. Based on this knowledge, Kimball builds a prototype. Once the prototyping phase has been successfully executed, Kimball’s engineers start the manufacturing process. Subsequently, when the production phase reaches its final quarter, Kimball runs its elaborate automated testing, measurement, and AI-driven defect detection phase to double-check that the focused areas of concern or the general testing criteria of the product are validated.

As elaborate as these stages might sound, the key to making all of these steps work, according to Kimball’s engineers, is good communication between their team and the client. Even after the product hits the market, Kimball continues to provide its clients with aftermarket support services.
Today, Kimball Electronics has over 50 years of experience in industrial electronics manufacturing. Its experience spans many industries, with electronic assemblies used in industrial motors, electrical motors, agricultural electronics, and focused electronic assemblies for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.

Together with that, Kimball also understands how important it is to have a dedicated team with proven experience that customers can rely on. So Kimball offers complete system integration, global supply chain management, and dedicated repair/ service capabilities throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. The company’s surefire transfer of work (TOW) manufacturing process ensures that products are developed in the most cost-effective worldwide locations. Besides, Kimball’s manufacturing facilities make it simple to get the finished product delivered to any preferred delivery location worldwide.

A Dedicated Partner for Improving Healthcare Outcomes

From prevention to early diagnostics to clinical and hospital diagnostics and treatment to home and community care, Kimball manufactures products that support the continuum of care. Kimball demonstrates proven expertise in offerings pertaining to cold chain management, drug delivery device production, sterilization, disposable device production, scientific injection molding, clean room device assembly, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), and complete full-system assembly. Making this all happen is the company’s agility and responsiveness, coupled with its knowledge to effectively support cutting-edge medical clients. These aspects have uniquely positioned them to foster innovation in the medical realm and facilitate better healthcare outcomes. Alongside the vast array of medical device production competencies, Kimball also provides a range of complimentary services for the medical market, which include supporting clients with FDA registration or offering them EU MDR and IVDR support.

Even when it comes to new product introduction (NPI) for a medical client, Kimball always ensures there are no hiccups prior to product launches. From the conception of the first idea to full-scale manufacturing until its launch, Kimball stands by its clients at every step of the way.

No wonder some of Kimball’s customer relationships last for decades. In one instance, a company has been collaborating with Kimball for 15strong years. In 2005, a partnership began with a small medical device manufacturer, and even after a larger company purchased them in 2007, the relationship has continued to grow. Over the years, Kimball has manufactured printed circuit assemblies (PCAs), upper-level assemblies, and system-level devices for many of its clients’ customers.

Products for this client are now produced in five of Kimball’s worldwide facilities and are shipped to multiple customer locations around the world. Kimball continues to remain the most preferred global EMS provider for this medical manufacturer and has also received two supplier excellence awards.

The company offers end-to-end engineering, design, and manufacturing solutions, including contract electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and diversified contract manufacturing services (DCMS), along with automation, test and measurement services to facilities in the automotive, medical, industrial, and public safety domains

Leaders of Automotive Safety

The automotive end market electronics sector is growing very swiftly, and the reason behind it is rooted in consumer demand for safer and more functional vehicles. In fact, the burning need for highly reliable electronic assemblies, which is capable of meeting the highest industry standards, has never been greater. Kimball Electronics, a longstanding leader in the automotive market, effectively offers this to its clients. The company is devoted to constantly upgrading its EMS offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of its clients. To that end, Kimball also holds unique experience and proficiency to cater to the constantly evolving advanced driver assistance systems market. Kimball is also certified to IATF 16949 requirements and works to manage its supply chain. Leveraging these competencies, the company has been steadfastly delivering top-quality products to tier one global customers for the last 25 years.

At the Cutting Edge of Public Safety

Kimball proudly boasts several electronic products that it develops for the public safety market, which also comprise solutions for Homeland Security. With the rise in public safety issues, there is growing emphasis on adopting preventative security measures, driven mostly by threat detection and threat avoidance initiatives. To meet the industry needs, the company produces assemblies for fire safety, building access control, and mining safety. These include, but are not limited to, emergency response communication devices, thermal imaging systems, biometric electronics, surveillance equipment, X-ray systems, and material identification equipment.

Driven by such capabilities, Kimball now intends to spearhead success for many more organizations in the public sector, healthcare, automotive, and industrial realms. In that quest, the company is slowly but steadily expanding its axes both geographically and business sector-wise. But, in all its endeavors, the company wants to keep emphasizing the fact that while technology is essential, what makes the real difference is how it is implemented. Or, if put in their way, the “Human side of Technology” is what Kimball continuously strives for, and it is validated heavily through all its client engagements.