Cable/Wiring Harnesses/Assemblies 1

[Jeannie3]

Hi

Can anyone give me a very basic run down on this market sector. I need to get a simple overview of how the business works and I'm not in the industry so everything I read is too clever for me! Searches on the internet give me hundreds if not thousands of names of suppliers but I can't work out if they are all making the same sort of thing because it's all a bit tecchie.

It seems that cable harnesses (and they the same as cable assemblies and wiring harnesses?) form part of other industries maybe that's why I can't get a handle on it. Who are the main types of customers? Are suppliers mainly small or large or a mix. Presumably it's "components" manufacturers supplying "end product" manufacturers. Is the industry big, is it global or local. Are there any particular trends i.e. is it large or small and growing or shrinking in the UK or the USA. Is the industry in the west being threatened by low cost manufacturing in China or Eastern Europe. What else might be relevant?

If anyone can help me with a thumbnail sketch along these lines I would be really grateful. Or maybe just point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

Electronics Luddite

 

[itsmoked]

There are 3 kinds of cable assembly factories.

1) Giant off-shore companies that make the commodity cables that you find in every store. Molded ends, cheap. They essentially make standard cables everyone uses.

2) Moderate sized companies (on-shore and off-shore) that make custom cables for OEMs to include into their products. Often these "assemblers" are associated with wire companies or are divisions or wire companies like Alpha Wire.

3) Tiny companies that make custom cables to specs provided by customers, usually local. Most of these shops are distributed. That is a central location that does all the purchasing and scheduling and interfacing with the customer but all the work is done off site by individuals. Usually women, housewives, etc. Often people holding other jobs. I have often seen security personnel making wire harnesses while sitting at desk security posts.

Type 3 may be why you see so many web sites. People decide that they can strike out on their own since the tools and skills lend themselves to home production.