Contract manufacturing

Two reasons often lead companies to outsource manufacturing: either internal capacity is insufficient, or a required process is not available in-house and investing in the necessary equipment is not economically worthwhile.

Especially with specialised processes, purchasing a machine alone is rarely enough. A stable and repeatable process also requires suitable fixtures, defined process parameters and experience in handling materials and potential process deviations.

H. Sigrist & Partner AG provides this infrastructure and the corresponding process expertise as a service at its Matzingen site. This allows production steps to be outsourced without first having to build up additional in-house know-how and production resources.

Service portfolio

Robust joints and reliable protection for technical components. We process adhesives, sealants and potting compounds precisely and reproducibly. Potting can protect assemblies against moisture, vibration, dust and mechanical loads and can be adapted to the specific requirements of the component.

We fill adhesives, greases, oils and other liquid or pasty media into the required container sizes or repack them for another intended use. We focus on clean handling, defined quantities and packaging that is suitable for further processing.

We create durable joints between metallic components using induction soldering. Heat is applied specifically to the joining area, keeping the thermal load on adjacent areas low. The process is particularly suitable for applications in electronics, metalworking and mechanical assemblies.

We clean and activate surfaces using plasma technology to improve wettability and adhesion properties. This creates a reliable basis for subsequent bonding, sealing or coating processes and supports uniform, durable joints.

Plasma jet cleaning the surface of a printed circuit board

We assemble individual parts and components into ready-to-install assemblies for mechanical engineering, electronics and other industrial applications. Depending on the project, we carry out individual assembly steps or complete assemblies with controlled and repeatable execution.

Assembly of the C100-4.0® dispensing controller

We mark components permanently and precisely using laser technology, from individual parts to series production. In addition to markings, inscriptions and customisation, defined coatings can also be selectively removed, for example to prepare subsequent processes or create functional contact surfaces.

Laser marking of assembly parts and in-house products with S&P labeling

For many components, the task does not end with a single production step. Depending on the application, surfaces may need to be prepared, media dispensed, parts joined, assembled, marked or reworked. We therefore combine different processes within our contract manufacturing services and adapt them to the respective component and desired final condition. For customers, this means fewer interfaces, simpler coordination and one central contact for several work steps. We also use dosing, mixing and induction technology that we work with every day in our own product range. This enables us to select processes based on practical experience and adapt them to the application where required.

Our contract manufacturing services are used in a wide range of industries. These include mechanical engineering, electronics, the automotive industry, medical technology and aviation. We also support a variety of manufacturing and processing tasks in the packaging, energy, consumer goods and chemical industries. By combining different processes, we can take on individual production steps as well as complete sub-processes. We align our work with the technical requirements of the component, the materials used, the required quantities and the quality requirements of the respective industry.

We handle production orders ranging from initial prototypes and pre-series to small batches and larger quantities. Depending on the project, additional work steps such as assembly, cleaning, packaging and shipping can also be included. We place particular importance on the confidential handling of customer projects. Outsourced production processes often involve the exchange of technical drawings, design data, material specifications and other sensitive information. We handle such information carefully and use it exclusively within the scope of the respective project.

Contract manufacturing is not always the most economical long-term solution. For very high volumes and stable processes over many years, investing in your own production equipment may be more cost-effective. If a manufacturing process is a core part of your product, it may also make sense to build up and retain this know-how internally. We clarify such points at the beginning of a project. If an in-house solution proves more sensible in the long term, we will address this openly and can also support you in specifying the appropriate production technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

It cleans the surface and activates it, which improves adhesion properties.

This is the step most often missing in practice. Two identical parts in the same material behave differently depending on how the bonding surface was prepared. Placing a bonded joint without specifying surface preparation means placing a result that cannot be repeated.

Prototypes, small series and large series are manufactured. There is no fixed lower limit. The calculation works differently:

Contract manufacturing pays off as long as investing in your own line, including the learning curve, costs more than the surcharge per part. With small batches and with processes not needed anywhere else in your plant, that is almost always the case.

The quality of an adhesive bond does not depend on the adhesive alone, but also to a large extent on how the bonding process is prepared, dosed and carried out. Numerous factors such as surface condition, dispensing quantity, application pattern and the time before joining influence the quality and strength of the bond. These are exactly the parameters we work with:

We supply the appropriate dispensing technology for adhesive application and, where required, prepare the surfaces in advance for the bonding process.

Discuss your application

For an initial assessment, we require the following information:

a technical drawing or alternatively a sample part
the required quantity per batch
the estimated annual quantity
required inspections, documentation or quality records
the desired delivery date
for bonded joints, the materials of both joining partners
if specified, the adhesive, sealant or other medium to be used

The more complete the technical information, the more accurately we can assess the effort involved, the appropriate process and the expected manufacturing costs.

Let's optimize your manufacturing processes together!

Get in touch with us to discover how our solutions can help improve your production processes.
We’re looking forward to discussing your requirements and finding the right solution for you.