The Rapid Evolution of Electronic Manufacturing Services for Medtech

Business is booming in the electronic manufacturing services (EMS) segment of the medical device industry. According to MarketWatch, EMS in the medical/healthcare field is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 4 percent through 2026, thanks largely to greater use of automation and advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless, and artificial intelligence (AI).¹

This business surge also reflects that EMS companies have evolved from providing pure manufacturing capabilities to offering end-to-end services that support the entire lifecycle of products for medical device manufacturers (MDMs). “This includes handling all aspects of production, including high-quality complex product assembly, manufacturing processes, and testing,” said Gary Switzer, senior vice president of medical systems for Sanmina Corporation, a San Jose, Calif.-based contract provider of EMS services. “Other services are assisting with regulatory certifications and collaborating on design prototyping, new product introduction, documentation management, and supplier management, as well as maintenance, repair, a