Taiwan has established itself as a global electronics manufacturing hub over the past few decades. Many of the world’s top contract manufacturing companies originated in Taiwan and leveraged its robust supply chain ecosystem and engineering talent pool.
In this guide, we will look at the 10 leading EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) providers in Taiwan and explore their capabilities, technologies, focus industries and outlook.
Overview of Taiwan’s EMS Industry
Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing industry took off in the 1980s and 1990s as multinationals shifted production to the country. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) outsourced manufacturing to lower costs. This gave rise to large contract manufacturers in Taiwan.
Some key facts about electronics manufacturing in Taiwan:
- Accounts for over 15% of Taiwan’s GDP.
- Employs over 300,000 skilled workers.
- Home to over 2,000 electronics companies.
- Taiwan companies command over 40% global IC foundry marketshare.
- Major global electronics brands leverage Taiwan’s supply chain ecosystem.
Taiwan provides a robust ecosystem for electronics production comprising component suppliers, raw material providers, PCB/IC substrate fabrication, tooling and a skilled engineering workforce.
Let’s look at the top 10 EMS companies in Taiwan providing end-to-end manufacturing services.
Top 10 EMS Companies in Taiwan
1. RayMing Technology
Founded in 2001, RayMing Technology is a professional EMS company providing advanced electronics engineering and manufacturing services including:
- PCB fabrication, assembly and testing
- Integrated box build
- IPD/SiP based miniaturization
- Process and reliability testing
- Component sourcing/procurement
- Product design, prototyping
- Automation equipment
- Supply chain and program management
RayMing specializes in high mix, low to medium volume EMS for a range of industries. Their comprehensive capabilities enable concept to mass production product realization.
Manufacturing Capabilities
- SMT, manual and automated assembly
- In-circuit, functional, environmental stress test
- ISO Class 8 cleanrooms
- Conformal coating, potting
- X-Ray, AOI optical inspection
- Centerless grinding, CNC machining
- Plastic molding and tooling
Facilities
- Headquarters in Taipei
- State-of-the-art factory in Taoyuan, Taiwan
- 3000+ employees across Taiwan and China
2. Pegatron
Pegatron is a leading electronics ODM company headquartered in Taiwan with manufacturing global footprint. They design, prototype and produce electronic devices for global brands.
- Founded in 2008 as a spin-off of Asus.
- Employs over 100,000 workers worldwide.
- Major manufacturing in Taiwan and China.
- 2021 revenue of approx. $72 billion USD.
- Services computing, communication and consumer electronics brands.
Pegatron offers vertically integrated production encompassing:
- Product development, industrial design
- PCB fabrication
- Precision enclosures
- SMT, through hole assembly
- System integration and testing
- Support for high mix, flexible volumes
- After sales repair and services
With expertise across multiple product categories from laptops, smartphones to networking gear, Pegatron has established itself as a marquee ODM servicing top electronics brands.
3. Quanta Computer
Quanta Computer is the largest notebook computer ODM company globally based out of Taiwan. Some facts:
- Founded in 1988 in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
- Employs over 90,000 staff worldwide.
- Operates manufacturing in Taiwan, China, US, Germany, Japan.
- 2021 revenues of $114 billion.
- World’s largest manufacturer of laptop PCs.
Quanta leverages its high volume manufacturing expertise and economies of scale to produce notebooks for the world’s leading computer brands along with server systems and data center hardware.
They offer complete services encompassing:
- Product design, development engineering
- Component sourcing
- High volume automated SMT assembly
- Machined enclosures
- Final assembly and configuration
- Worldwide logistics and after-market services
Quanta can rapidly scale production from hundreds of thousands to millions of units annually to meet customer needs.
4. Compal Electronics
Compal Electronics is another major laptop and electronics ODM company based out of Taiwan.
- Founded in 1984.
- Employs around 100,000 staff.
- Operates large campuses in Taiwan and China.
- Annual revenues of $32 billion.
- 2nd largest notebook PC maker globally.
Compal utilizes cutting edge Industry 4.0 technologies powered by AI and automation for swift manufacturing. They provide:
- Notebook, AIO and display product design.
- Server and storage manufacturing.
- Quick ramp up to high volume production.
- IoT and wearable product manufacturing.
- PCB fabrication and advanced SMT assembly.
- Aftersales and repair services.
Compal produces at high volumes for the world’s most renowned laptop and electronics brands leveraging efficiency of Taiwan’s supply chain.
5. Inventec
Inventec is a $40 billion revenue ODM company headquartered in Taiwan with a global footprint and 15,000 employees. Their capabilities span:
- Computing products including notebooks, servers, storage.
- Networking and telecom equipment manufacturing.
- Smart devices – phones, wearables, IoT.
- Automotive electronics and infotainment systems.
- Appliances, audio equipment.
- PCBs and components.
Inventec operates advanced manufacturing facilities in Taiwan along with sites in China, Mexico, Czech Republic to provide flexibility in production worldwide.
6. Qisda Corporation
Qisda Corp is a diversified global EMS company based out of Taiwan offering:
- Contract design and manufacturing for electronics brands.
- Telecom/networking product manufacturing.
- Medical and healthcare equipment production.
- IoT and smart solutions.
- Robotics, automation and AI technologies.
- High precision molded plastics.
- Aftermarket and repair services.
Qisda leverages its engineering expertise across hardware and software to enable IoT based solutions for smart cities, factories, transportation systems and supply chain. Their global footprint across Taiwan, China, Estonia, Germany caters production to both domestic and international customers.
7. Wistron
Wistron is a leading Taiwan headquartered ODM company serving ICT markets with advanced manufacturing.
- Founded in 2000 after spinoff from Acer.
- Employs 60,000+ staff globally.
- 2021 revenues of approx. $27 billion USD.
- Extensive manufacturing footprint in China along with Taiwan headquarters.
Wistron produces for top electronics brands across:
- Notebook, desktop, server and datacenter equipment.
- Networking and telecom infrastructure.
- Smartphones, tablets, wearables.
- Medical devices, home appliances, automotive electronics.
From product design through manufacturing to after-sales support, Wistron provides comprehensive contract manufacturing capabilities leveraging their Taiwan supply chain ecosystem.
8. MiTAC
MiTAC is a nearly $4 billion USD revenue ODM company providing complete product realization services:
- Computing products – laptops, motherboards, servers.
- Communications infrastructure – networking gear, IoT devices.
- Industrial automation – panel PCs, PoS devices.
- Automotive infotainment/telematics systems.
- PCB fabrication and component distribution.
Based out of Taiwan with operations across Asia, MiTAC caters to verticals like enterprise IT, telecom, IoT, automation and transportation leveraging three decades of ODM experience.
9. Advantech
Founded in 1983, Advantech is a leader in industrial IoT hardware and solutions. While headquartered in Taiwan, they have a global presence.
Key capabilities:
- Industrial computers – embedded box PCs, panel PCs, motherboards
- Human machine interfaces (HMI)
- Industrial IoT edge gateways
- Automation and control systems
- Customization services
Advantech works closely with customers right from the design phase through manufacturing, scale up and aftermarket services to provide the optimal industrial automation and control solution tailored to specific needs. Their global footprint enables localized production.
10. Lanner Electronics
Lanner Electronics provides hardware appliances and integrated systems for:
- Network security – routers, firewalls, uCPEs
- Critical communications – ruggedized networking
- Transportation – network video recorders, fleet management
- Public safety – video surveillance
- Industrial automation – edge AI solutions
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Taipei, Lanner possesses advanced design, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities necessary for regulated industries requiring high reliability. Their systems power mission critical applications worldwide across thousands of organizations.
This covers the top 10 EMS providers in Taiwan delivering end-to-end contract manufacturing solutions at various production scales. Taiwan offers a robust ecosystem to manufacture everything from consumer electronics, computers, networking gear, appliances to industrial equipment leveraging skilled engineering talent and supply chain infrastructure.
Electronics Manufacturing Technology Trends
Taiwan’s EMS companies stay at the leading edge by adopting the latest technologies and manufacturing methods. Here are some key trends shaping electronics production –
Smart manufacturing – Artificial intelligence, big data analytics, sensors, IoT and other Industry 4.0 technologies are being deployed across factory floors to gain process visibility, improve quality control and enable flexible volumes.
Advanced automation – Advanced robots, automated material handling systems, software-defined processes controlled via centralized MES systems and precision automation enable optimized high mix production.
Miniaturization – Heterogenous integration technologies like SiP and CoWoS allow integrating of multiple ICs and passives into compact modules or systems-in-package. This supportsminiaturized product designs.
Green manufacturing – With growing environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals, electronics companies are eliminating waste through material reuse, recycling, energy efficiency innovations and renewable energy usage in facilities.
Digital transformation – Leveraging cloud-based applications, big data analytics and software-defined systems across operations, supply chain and products to increase productivity and agility.
Additive manufacturing – Use of 3D printing for prototyping, tooling and direct part production enables rapid design iteration and part customization.
EMS companies support customers not just through advanced manufacturing but also via product design, simulation, test and software integration services over products’ lifecycles.
Outlook for Taiwan’s EMS Industry
Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing industry appears poised for robust growth through the rest of the decade driven by several key factors.
Geopolitics – Initiatives by governments in US, Europe and Japan are incentivizing localization and reshoring of semiconductor and electronics production capacity. This may accelerate demand for Taiwan’s EMS ecosystem.
Digitization – Broad adoption of digital technologies and IoT is fueling strong growth in connected devices, edge infrastructure, networking hardware, telecom equipment among other electronics.
Electric vehicles – The surge in EVs globally is exponentially increasing electronics content per vehicle providing opportunities for automotive EMS.
Supply chain risks – Companies are seeking alternate sourcing locations to mitigate risks of supply disruptions. Taiwan offers robust ecosystem and proximity benefits for electronics brands.
Sustainability – As stakeholders demand greater supply chain visibility and carbon footprint reduction, Taiwan’s EMS industry is proactively adopting green manufacturing principles.
By continuing technology leadership and expanding value-added capabilities, Taiwan’s EMS sector seems well positioned to capitalize on these industry tailwinds.
Conclusion
Taiwan provides a strong foundation for electronics product development through advanced manufacturing scaled to global demand. The combination of skilled engineers, cluster of component suppliers, interconnected supply chain and continuous technology adoption enables its EMS companies to deliver high value.
As electronics innovation continues to accelerate, partnering with a Taiwan-based EMS provider offers many benefits for OEMs seeking world-class production and supply chain capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the focus industries for Taiwan’s EMS companies?
Computing, communications, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, medical devices are key sectors served by Taiwan EMS providers.
What manufacturing scales do they support?
Taiwan EMS can support prototypes to high volume production of tens of millions of units annually.
What value-added services do they offer?
Robust product design, simulation, test engineering, software integration, supply chain management and aftermarket support.
What are their quality certifications?
Most hold industry certifications like ISO-9001, IATF 16949 for automotive and are compliant wtih regulations.
Do they have manufacturing operations outside Taiwan?
Many Taiwan EMS companies run campuses in China/SE Asia to diversify risk while serving regional/global customers.
How to Pick a Top EMS Electronic Factory
The existence of plenty of electronic manufacturing services companies and their subsequent production plants or factories in Taiwan can make picking a top factory difficult. You need to understand all the aspects that qualify an EMS electronics factory as a top-tier player before you can settle on one. But before you consider these, you have to look at certain baseline aspects to ensure you stay on track in the selection process of a top-tier EMS electronic factory.
The following, some of the crucial background considerations
- EMS electronic factory rating. The ratings of an EMS electronic factory often consider plenty of aspects such as capacity, facilities, space, technologies deployed, etc. Therefore, an EMS electronic factory ratings act as an excellent indicator of the factory’s capacity to design, prototype, and manufacture electronic products and PCBs.
- Review from previous clients. Plenty of existing and past clients always leave reviews regarding their experiences with the contract electronic manufacturing company. Therefore, it acts as an excellent indicator of the capacity and reliability of the EMS factory.
- Recommendation. Trusted allies like close friends, family members, and peers can act as an excellent and reliable source for EMS electronic factories’ insights. Therefore, always consider their counsel when looking for the best EMS electronic factory for your manufacturing needs.
The baseline consideration should act as the foundation for a steeper and extra determination regarding the suitability of EMS electronic factories. Therefore, try and ask yourself the following questions before settling on a top-tier EMS electronic factory.
Questions to Consider in Picking the Best EMS Electronic Factory
- Are the EMS company finances stable?
The financial health of a potential EMS company proves a critical aspect in determining the company’s suitability in manufacturing your electronic needs. Because of this, you have to ensure the manufacturer’s financial health proves adequate and will secure your company’s financial future. Therefore, besides the manufacturer’s technical competency, service orientation, and price competitiveness, the absence of adequate financial health disqualifies it from an ideal EMS factory for your electronic manufacturing needs.
It all arises because excellent EMS providers need sufficient cash to buy components in advance, as you will always pay them later. Therefore, it falls under the scope of the EMS to cater to all the production costs before getting compensated from your pay, which becomes a possibility with the manufacturer’s healthy financial status.
- How transparent and open is communication?
The manufacturing process of electronic products often proves complex. It, therefore, requires sufficient and reliable information between both parties to ensure a seamless and quality manufacturing process. All these aspects become possible through proper and honest explanation of the company’s structure, ability to allow visits during the manufacturing process, etc. Openness and honest communication become fundamental in the proper functioning of a relationship. Therefore the contract manufacturer needs to feel more of a partner rather than the supplier.
- What certifications types does the manufacturer possess?
A top contract manufacturer needs to have the relevant certifications necessary to develop and manufacture the electronic product. Every industry has particularly required certifications like the ISO13485 and ISO9001 of quality management besides the RoHS compliance. Therefore, it becomes prudent always to discuss such certification requirements ahead of contracting the manufacturer to ensure compliance in completing your electronic production process.
- How does the EMS Company manage information?
The manufacturing process of electronic products often needs quick and accurate management of extensive data. It arises because components constantly undergo revisions besides EOL. Additionally, delivery dates often change regularly, especially when it comes to sub-suppliers. Therefore, the EMS provider will have to determine that they have got the production underway with the correct component revisions of the earlier specified component. Consider aspects such as the management of engineering changes in the event of new product revisions. The production diary is based on the component delivery dates changing—the absence of a sturdy ERP system by the EMS provider. The voluminous nature of such data and information can prove complex to organize. Therefore, it becomes essential to pick an EMS provider with a defined system of controlling and managing such information internally besides sharing it with you.
- Is the EMS equipment updated?
Electronics get prone to rapid changes due to constant improvements. Therefore, components keep getting smaller, and this allows for closer PCB placement. Additionally, complex multilayer boards have become the norm, with IoT and wireless components becoming prevalent. You have to determine if the EMS Company has adapted to the tech changes and whether the deployed tools and technologies will suit your modern-oriented electronic product.
- What type of customer base exists?
It becomes vital to consider the position of the EMS provider’s present customer base besides its size. Consider if the manufacturer can handle the electronic product’s requirements, especially when significant volumes get involved. For instance, if you have low production demands, you can get considerable service and attention. You have to ensure that the contract manufacturer can balance between proving sufficiently sophisticated and staying motivated.
