Contract Assembly Services
From component sourcing to full box-build assembly and testing, we manage your complete product lifecycle. Consolidate to a single accountable supplier.
- 12 in-house joining methods, from orbital riveting to torque-controlled screwdriving.
- No minimum order. One prototype up to 10 million-plus units.
- NDA signed before you send us a single file.
What Is Contract Assembly?
Contract assembly is outsourcing your product's production to a third party manufacturer. You only need to provide the design and part lists for them to get started.
Contract assembly focuses on joining, integration, testing, and packaging. Because Meco provides both component production and assembly, projects can easily scale from assembly-only to full contract manufacturing without switching vendors. Review our complete guide to contract assembly to evaluate your options.
Meco operates certified assembly facilities in Thailand (20,000 m²) and China (16,000 m²), supported by global warehousing. We deliver three distinct service lines: mechanical assembly, full product assembly, and PCB design and assembly. For clear partnership boundaries, read our analysis on contract manufacturer vs OEM.
Volume
10 to 10M+
One prototype through mass production. No minimum order.
Inspection
CMM to ±0.002 mm
First article and in-process checks.
Quote Turnaround
Under 24 h
Free design-for-assembly feedback included.
Environment
ESD-Safe
Static-controlled per IEC 61340 for all electronics.
Swipe for all four
Our Contract Assembly Capabilities
Three service lines that work together, from a single sub-assembly to a tested, boxed, ready-to-ship product. All run under one quality system, for automotive, electronics, industrial, and consumer product programs.
Mechanical Assembly
Automatic and semi-automatic cells running resistance and TIG welding, self-clinching hardware, shrink fitting, adhesive dispensing, and torque-controlled screwdriving to ISO 5393.
Explore mechanical assembly →
Product Assembly
The full build: sourcing, kitting, sub-assembly, final assembly, functional test, and packaging on one line. The route most brand owners take when they have a design but no factory.
Explore product assembly →
PCB and Box Build Assembly
Electronics from bare board to finished system. SMT and through-hole PCBA, enclosure integration, cable routing, display mounting, and functional test. See our box build assembly guide.
Explore PCB and box build →Swipe for all three service lines
Assembly Methods We Run In-House
Twelve joining methods covering permanent, semi-permanent, and serviceable joints in metal, plastic, and electronics. Our mechanical assembly guide goes deeper on each.
| Method | Joint Type | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital (Spin) Riveting | Permanent | Fast | Hinges and rotating joints needing a smooth head |
| Punch Riveting | Permanent | Very Fast | High-volume sheet metal stacks |
| Press Riveting | Permanent | Fast | Solid rivets in thick structural parts |
| Pull (Blind) Riveting | Permanent | Fast | Enclosures you can only reach from one side |
| Torque-Controlled Screwdriving | Serviceable | Medium | Repairable products and electronics, per ISO 5393 |
| Hydraulic Press Assembly | Permanent | Medium | Press-fit bearings, bushings, dowel pins |
| Spot, TIG and MIG Welding | Permanent | Fast to Slow | Structural metal weldments to AWS D1.1 |
| Shrink Fitting (Thermal) | Permanent | Medium | Very strong fits with no fasteners |
| Adhesive Dispensing | Permanent | Medium | Sealed joints and bonding unlike materials |
| Automatic / Semi-Auto Lines | Mixed | Very Fast | High-volume repeat builds with stable parts lists |
| PCB SMT and Through-Hole | Permanent | Very Fast | Control boards, sensor boards, power electronics |
| Box Build Integration | Mixed | Medium | Finished electromechanical products and systems |
Scroll inside the table to see all rows and columns
Why OEMs Choose Meco for Contract Assembly
One partner from the first sub-assembly to global delivery.
Turnkey or Consignment
We buy, kit, and assemble, or we assemble parts you send. Switch models as the program grows. See what happens in contract manufacturing.
Parts and Assembly In-House
Put CNC machining, die casting, and PCBA on the same PO as final build. Fewer vendors, one owner for every problem.
Your Design Stays Yours
We sign an NDA before any files are shared. ESD-safe areas per IEC 61340 and full traceability on every build.
Automotive-Grade Quality
IATF 16949:2016 applied to every industry we serve, not just automotive. APQP, PPAP, SPC, FAI, and serial traceability. More about Meco.
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How to Compare Contract Assembly Companies
Most contract assembly companies look the same on a capability list. The real differences show up in these seven questions. Ask every supplier on your shortlist the same ones, then line the answers up side by side.
| What to ask | Why it matters | Meco's answer |
|---|---|---|
| Do you own the factory? | Brokers hand the build to someone else. The quality system you audited is not the one making your product. | We own our plants in Thailand (20,000 m²) and China (16,000 m²). |
| Can you make the parts too? | Assembly-only suppliers cannot fix a bad part at the source. Every defect turns into a supplier argument. | 40-plus in-house processes: casting, machining, molding, fabrication, PCBA. |
| What is the real minimum? | "No MOQ" often hides a minimum order value or a small-batch surcharge that kills pilot runs. | No minimum order quantity. Programs start at 10 pieces. |
| Does the certificate cover assembly? | A certificate scoped to machining does not govern the assembly line your product runs on. | IATF 16949:2016 across every program, which includes all of ISO 9001:2015. |
| When is the NDA signed? | Your full design is the most sensitive thing you share. Many suppliers only discuss NDAs after pricing. | NDA signed as standard, before any files change hands. |
| Do you hold stock near me? | A low price with a twelve-week ocean lead time is no saving if you run out of stock. | Warehouses in Ohio, Florida, Canada, Tokyo, Osaka, and Thailand. |
| Do I get design feedback first? | Assembly cost is mostly locked in at design freeze. Feedback after fixtures are cut is too late. | Design review with every quote, back in under 24 hours. |
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Turnkey vs Consignment Assembly
The two models differ in one thing: who buys the parts. That single choice drives your cash flow, your lead time, and who is responsible when a part fails inspection. Meco supports both, and programs often move from one to the other.
Consignment Assembly
You supply all the parts. Meco supplies the labor, fixtures, tooling, test gear, and quality system.
- You keep control of sourcing and your supplier relationships
- No markup added to parts you already buy well
- Faster start, because your suppliers are already approved
- You carry the stock and the risk on late or bad parts
Turnkey Assembly
Meco buys every line on the parts list, kits it, builds the product, and ships finished goods.
- One purchase order covers parts, assembly, and finished goods
- Shared buying power across common hardware and materials
- Plugs into Meco's own machining, fabrication, and molding
- One owner when a defect crosses a part boundary
Not sure which fits? A common pattern is to start on consignment for the pilot build, then switch to turnkey once volume makes consolidation worth it. Short runs and uneven demand pair well with on demand manufacturing.
Contract Assembly Services FAQ
What is contract assembly?
Contract assembly means paying an outside manufacturer to put your product together. They provide the workers, fixtures, tooling, test equipment, and quality system. You provide the design, and either the parts or just the parts list. The work can be a small sub-assembly, or a complete finished product ready to ship.
Contract assembly vs contract manufacturing: what is the difference?
Contract assembly covers joining, integration, testing, and packing. Contract manufacturing is wider and usually includes making the parts too, by machining, casting, or molding, then assembling them. Meco does both, so a program can start as assembly-only and expand later without changing supplier. Our contract assembly guide covers this in detail.
What do outsourced assembly services include?
A full scope includes six things: sourcing or kitting the parts, a design-for-assembly review, fixture and line build, sub-assembly and final assembly, testing with documentation, and packaging with fulfillment. Companies outsource assembly to avoid spending capital on lines and fixtures, to cut the number of suppliers touching a product, and to scale output without hiring.
How much do contract assembly services cost?
Assembly is normally quoted as a price per unit, built from three things: labor time per unit, fixtures and tooling spread across the order, and the parts cost if the job is turnkey. Higher volumes lower the per-unit price because setup and tooling are shared across more units. Design-for-assembly changes made before tooling typically remove 15–30% of unit cost, which is why we review your drawings before quoting. Send your parts list and target volume for a costed quote in under 24 hours.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No. Programs run from a single prototype up to more than 10 million units. Semi-automatic cells handle low and mid volumes affordably, and dedicated automated lines make sense for high-volume repeat builds. Uneven or seasonal demand pairs well with on demand manufacturing.
Can I supply my own parts, or does Meco buy them?
Either works. With consignment, you supply the parts and Meco supplies labor, fixtures, and quality control. With turnkey, Meco buys every line on the parts list, kits it, and builds the product. Turnkey suits teams cutting supplier count. Consignment starts faster if your suppliers are already approved.
Do you take sub-assembly or kitting work on its own?
Yes. We take standalone sub-assembly manufacturing and kitting jobs, where we build modules or pre-pack line-ready kits and ship them to your own final assembly point. Many customers start here, then move up to high-level assembly and full system integration once the first program is running well.
How fast can you start a program?
Quotes come back in under 24 hours with design-for-assembly feedback included. Prototype builds usually ship in 1 to 2 weeks. Fixtures and line setup normally take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on how much automation, which joining methods, and what volume you need. Tooling for new parts runs on its own schedule and should be planned separately.
What quality certifications does Meco hold?
Meco is certified to IATF 16949:2016, which contains every ISO 9001:2015 requirement and is the top-tier automotive quality standard. Every program includes APQP, PPAP, SPC, PFMEA, FAI reports, and barcode and serial traceability, with ESD-safe areas per IEC 61340 for electronics. Meco does not hold AS9100, ISO 13485, or ITAR registration.
What is box build assembly?
Box build assembly puts the circuit board, enclosure, cables, displays, and connectors together into a complete finished product, then tests and packs it. It is the last stage of electromechanical production and the widest scope in contract assembly. See our box build assembly guide.
How to Start a Contract Assembly Program
Upload STEP files, your parts list, assembly drawings, and target volume through the quote form. Quote back in under 24 hours.
Engineers check the stack-up, fasteners, and build order, recommend turnkey or consignment, and flag changes that cut cost before fixtures are cut.
We build the fixtures, run first article units, and submit FAI reports and PPAP paperwork for your approval before volume starts.
Volume build with SPC, functional test, custom packaging, and shipping through our warehousing and fulfillment network. Need the whole build owned end to end? See whole product manufacturing.
Contract Assembly Resources
Three guides that go deeper on scope, joining methods, and finished-product integration.
What Is Contract Assembly?
Turnkey vs consignment, when outsourcing pays back, and how to judge an assembly partner.
Read the guide →
What Is Mechanical Assembly?
Joining methods, tooling, tolerances, and inspection for mechanical and electromechanical builds.
Read the guide →What Is Box Build Assembly?
PCBA, enclosure, wiring, and final test combined into one packaged finished product.
Read the guide →Swipe for all three guides
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