Re: China CM's for Electronics
Presume CM = Contract Manufacturer.
Definitely lots to look out for! One experience we had was with a US-based company that outsourced the injection molding, extrusion, machining, etc. We asked for some qualification material; e.g., an ISO cert and, as best I can tell, was forged. We would call them out on some issues with it (e.g., scope, expiration date, etc.) and it would magically change.
Similar stories (2nd hand) about materials used / falsifying CoCs to use lower grade materials (plastics, metals). This goes hand-in-hand with all the news reports of lead-based paint being used, carcinogens in fabrics, etc.
We had a parts rep tell us that there's a huge industry over there that takes old electronics boards, scavenges the parts (resistors, etc.) and packages them as new. I think even the DoD has been stung by this.
One of my clients is using a very reputable firm in China and they've been very happy with the work, the professionalism, and the quality. So it's not all doom and gloom. You just have to take appropriate care to identify the good ones.
