Key Takeaways
- Strategic Partnership: OEMs outsource industrial automation manufacturing to gain compliance expertise and avoid costly EMC facilities.
- Critical Challenges: IEC 61508 safety, ISO 9001 quality, and environmental testing burden internal teams in manufacturing industrial automation.
- Comprehensive Solutions: Contract manufacturers provide turnkey industrial automation support, environmental testing capabilities, and flexible production scaling from prototype to volume.
- Industry Standards: Applications require ISO 9001 certification, UL listing, IEC 61131 PLC compliance, and validated safety processes for industrial automation manufacturing.
- Industrial Automation Benefits Manufacturing: Outsourcing improves efficiency, accelerates delivery, and supports factory modernization.
- KINGBROTHER Edge: 28+ years of industrial automation expertise, HDI technology to 30 layers, heavy copper capabilities to 18 OZ, and zero MOQ requirements for flexible manufacturing.
Introduction
Global leaders from Siemens to ABB rely on trusted partners for electronics in advanced automation. The convergence of Industrial IoT, robotics, and predictive control has raised complexity, while standards like IEC 61508 make in-house production costly and risky.
Industrial manufacturing automation requires not just engineering but also compliance-ready facilities, specialized PCB technologies, and long-term scalability. By engaging KINGBROTHER, OEMs gain access to comprehensive services that free resources for innovation in smart factories.
OEMs pursuing automation innovation need reliable automation electronics for manufacturing that meet IEC and ISO standards without incurring heavy infrastructure costs.
What is Industrial Automation Manufacturing?
Industrial automation manufacturing is the contract manufacturing model where OEMs rely on certified electronics partners for PLC boards, HMI systems, IoT devices, and robotics controllers. These industrial manufacturing process automation partnerships deliver compliance, scalability, and quality, ensuring electronics meet the rigorous demands of modern factories.
How Industrial Automation Contract Manufacturing Works
Industrial automation for manufacturing services encompasses the complete production spectrum: high-speed multilayer PCB fabrication, harsh environment component assembly, EMC compliance testing, heavy copper board manufacturing, and industrial certification documentation services.
- OEMs retain control of automation system design and intellectual property
- Contract manufacturers manage multilayer PCB fabrication, environmental testing, system assembly, and compliance documentation aligned with IEC 61131, IEC 61508, and ISO 9001 standards
- This model reduces compliance risk, accelerates deployment, and supports OEMs building scalable production automation industrial manufacturing systems.
The Role of Electronics in Industrial Automation Systems
Electronics serve as the intelligent foundation of modern automation systems, enabling unprecedented precision, connectivity, and autonomous operation across manufacturing environments. These sophisticated systems transform traditional production lines into adaptive, data-driven operations.
Robotics and Motion Control Electronics
High-speed signal boards and thermal-managed HDI layouts are vital electronics for industrial robotics, ensuring precision and durability in automated production lines.
- Motion Control Systems: Advanced servo drives requiring high-speed signal processing and multilayer PCBs with controlled impedance
- Sensor Integration Boards: Machine vision and force sensors requiring high-resolution conversion and electromagnetic noise immunity
- AI-Enabled Processing Boards: Machine learning acceleration hardware requiring HDI technology and thermal management in compact form factors
Industrial Control System Electronics
Modern PLC boards and edge computing modules form the backbone of industrial control & manufacturing automation, enabling real-time management of equipment and seamless data exchange.
- PLC System Boards: Programmable logic controllers handling thousands of I/O points requiring robust multilayer designs with heavy copper traces
- Industrial IoT Integration: Edge computing modules bridging legacy equipment with Industry 4.0 platforms through wireless connectivity
- Communication Protocol Electronics: Specialized circuits supporting PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus, and OPC UA for seamless factory data exchange
Smart Factory and Connected Manufacturing Electronics
Predictive maintenance sensors and connected networks are essential for smart factory automation systems, ensuring continuous optimization and reduced downtime.
- Connected Device Networks: Industrial IoT sensors providing real-time equipment monitoring and production quality analysis
- Predictive Maintenance Systems: Condition monitoring electronics with ultra-low power requirements and robust wireless communication
- Digital Twin Integration Electronics: Real-time data acquisition systems feeding virtual factory models for continuous optimization
Why Do OEMs Need Industrial Automation Manufacturing?
In-house facilities often fail due to high equipment costs, shortage of compliance engineers, and supplier complexity.
When In-House Manufacturing Fails
- Capital Investment Barriers: EMC test chambers, heavy copper plating facilities, and multilayer PCB fabrication equipment require multi-million-dollar investments
- Regulatory Expertise Shortage: Few companies maintain teams of IEC 61508-trained safety engineers and ISO 9001-certified quality specialists
- Supply Chain Complexity: Managing hundreds of industrial-grade component suppliers and complete traceability documentation creates operational strain
Critical Applications Requiring Contract Manufacturing
Key applications in process automation in manufacturing — from PLCs to IoT devices — highlight why OEMs increasingly depend on contract manufacturing partnerships.
| Industrial Application | Key Requirements | Manufacturing Challenges |
| PLC Control Systems | IEC 61131 compliance, real-time processing | Multilayer PCB expertise, environmental validation |
| Motor Drives & Power Electronics | Heavy copper PCBs, UL 508A safety standards | Specialized fabrication, thermal management |
| Industrial IoT & HMI | Industry 4.0 connectivity, EMC compliance | High-speed design, harsh environment assembly |
| Safety Systems | IEC 61508 functional safety, redundancy | Validated processes, complete documentation |
How Contract Manufacturing Solves OEM Challenges
Strategic partnerships with experienced industrial automation manufacturers provide targeted solutions addressing regulatory, technical, and operational challenges facing modern automation system OEMs.
- Turnkey Automation Services: From PLC system concept through IEC certification submission, including validated design libraries and proven automation architectures
- Industrial Supply Chain Optimization: End-to-end management of component sourcing, traceability documentation, and long-term availability for 10+ year automation lifecycles
- Advanced Testing & Quality Systems: EMC compliance testing, environmental stress validation, and ISO 9001 quality management reduce regulatory rework and certification delays
- Flexible Production Scaling: From automation prototypes to full production volumes with no MOQ requirements, accelerating smart factory deployment timelines
The next step is to evaluate potential manufacturing partners to ensure they meet stringent industrial automation and regulatory requirements.
Choosing the Right Industrial Automation Manufacturing Partner
OEMs must evaluate certification expertise, heavy copper and multilayer PCB capability, and proven experience managing compliance-heavy projects.
Selection Framework
- Define Requirements: Regulatory compliance pathway, automation equipment classification, and harsh environment operational needs
- Evaluate Capabilities: ISO 9001 certification, UL listing expertise, EMC test facilities, and heavy copper PCB manufacturing capabilities
- Plan Implementation: IP protection protocols, quality documentation systems, and automation design transfer processes
To fully assess alignment, automation OEMs must also understand the specific services and end-to-end capabilities that comprehensive industrial partnerships provide.
What Services Are Included in Industrial Automation Manufacturing?
Industrial automation manufacturing covers the full automation product lifecycle, supporting OEMs from concept to commercialization with regulatory compliance at every stage.
PCB Design and Engineering Services for Automation Applications
- Schematic design for PLC and industrial control systems aligned with IEC 61508 functional safety standards
- Signal integrity analysis to ensure accuracy and reliability in critical industrial automation applications and high-speed communication protocols
- HDI PCB layouts enabling miniaturization for compact automation controllers without sacrificing performance or environmental specifications
Specialized Industrial Manufacturing Processes and Quality Control
- High-density interconnect (HDI) technology for advanced automation functionality in compact industrial form factors
- Heavy copper manufacturing and environmental surface treatments to ensure operational reliability in demanding factory environments
- Comprehensive validation testing, including:
- Electrical testing for automation functionality and safety compliance
- Environmental testing for harsh industrial conditions operation
- EMC testing for electromagnetic compatibility in factory environments
Final Assembly, Testing, and Industrial Compliance Documentation
- PCBA Services: SMT, THT, and mixed technology assembly for diverse automation devices.
- Testing & Validation: AOI, X-ray, EMC, and environmental validation for harsh factory conditions.
- Full compliance documentation for IEC 61131, IEC 61508, UL, and industrial automation certifications, streamlining regulatory submissions and approvals
- Final Assembly & Delivery: Global logistics supported by compliance documentation.
When to Partner with a Contract Manufacturer
Strategic timing of industrial automation manufacturing partnerships can significantly impact development costs, regulatory compliance timelines, and smart factory market entry success across different project phases.
Strategic Partnership Timing
| Project Phase | Optimal Partnership Benefits | Key Deliverables |
| Product Development | DFM optimization for automation, cost reduction | Manufacturable designs, industrial component selection |
| Regulatory Phase | Quality system implementation, IEC testing protocols | Compliance documentation, certification validation |
| Production Scale-Up | Capacity planning, environmental testing scaling | Commercial manufacturing, automation, and quality consistency |
| Long-Term Partnership | Obsolescence management, continuous improvement | Lifecycle support, Industry 4.0 technology evolution |
With timing considerations established, the focus shifts to identifying the specific qualifications that distinguish exceptional industrial automation manufacturing partners.
What OEMs Should Look for in a Partner
Essential Partner Qualifications
| Qualification Category | Industry Baseline | KINGBROTHER Advantage |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, UL listing, IEC compliance | ✓ All certifications plus ISO 14001 and ISO/TS 16949 |
| Technical Capabilities | HDI technology, heavy copper, and environmental testing | ✓ Up to 30 layers HDI, 18 OZ copper, comprehensive validation |
| Industrial Experience | Automation systems, regulatory submissions | ✓ 28+ years of automation expertise, proven track record |
| Supply Chain Management | Industrial-grade sourcing, traceability, and obsolescence planning | ✓ 18,000+ customer network, established supplier ecosystem |
Why Choose KINGBROTHER as Your Industrial Automation Manufacturing Partner
Industrial automation OEMs need more than a supplier — they need a certified, proven, and innovation-driven manufacturing partner. KINGBROTHER combines regulatory expertise, advanced PCB technologies, and decades of industrial automation experience to deliver reliable, compliant, and future-ready automation solutions.
KINGBROTHER Advantage at a Glance
| OEM Requirement | Industry Standard | KINGBROTHER Advantage |
| Regulatory Compliance | Meets ISO 9001 & UL certification | + ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, full IEC compliance for automation safety |
| Technical Capabilities | HDI, heavy copper, basic validation | 30-layer HDI, 18 OZ copper, comprehensive environmental & reliability testing |
| Industrial Expertise | Experience in general automation projects | 28+ years delivering IEC/ISO-certified industrial automation systems |
| Supply Chain Assurance | Standard sourcing & traceability | 18,000+ global customers, mature supplier ecosystem, proactive obsolescence planning |
| Sustainability & Safety | Limited environmental controls | Certified green manufacturing, sustainable processes, safety-first standards |
Quality Certifications & Experience
Certifications and decades of expertise form the foundation of KINGBROTHER’s industrial automation credibility:
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
Guarantees consistent industrial automation manufacturing quality and continuous improvement processes. - ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
Demonstrates commitment to sustainable and environmentally compliant automation production processes. - UL Certification – Safety Standards
Ensures adherence to critical safety requirements in industrial automation and control system applications. - ISO/TS 16949 – Automotive Quality Standards
Delivers enhanced reliability and defect prevention across high-demand automation applications. - 28+ Years of Experience
A proven track record of regulatory navigation, risk mitigation, and long-term customer partnerships in industrial automation manufacturing.
KINGBROTHER’s global infrastructure, comprehensive certifications, and flexible service model provide the foundation for successful long-term partnerships in industrial automation development and manufacturing.
Now, let’s initiate your partnership and transform your industrial automation concepts into market-ready products.
Get Started with KINGBROTHER Industrial Automation Manufacturing Project
Turning an industrial automation concept into a certified, market-ready solution requires more than production capacity — it takes regulatory clarity, design optimization, and disciplined project execution.
Our Expert Consultation Process
- Requirements Assessment
We evaluate regulatory classifications, environmental operating conditions, compliance standards, cost targets, and approval timelines to ensure strategic alignment from project start. - Design Optimization
Through DFM analysis, industrial component selection, and regulatory process reviews, we reduce costs while improving manufacturability and certification readiness. - Project Management Excellence
Dedicated project managers oversee automation specifications, certification schedules, and technical milestones — with proactive reviews that keep your automation program on track.
Partner with KINGBROTHER
Industrial automation manufacturing is more than outsourcing — it is collaboration. With KINGBROTHER, OEMs accelerate innovation, ensure compliance, and build resilient supply chains.
Ready to discuss your next industrial automation project?
Contact our industrial automation technical team today and see how KINGBROTHER can transform your industrial automation designs into certified, market-ready products.
