Why Global OEMs Struggle with Indian EMS Suppliers ?

The global rush to diversify manufacturing supply chains has put the Indian Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry in the spotlight. With a growing ecosystem and a clear government push, the “India Promise” of a viable manufacturing alternative is more compelling than ever.​

Yet, for many global OEMs, the reality on the ground is often a frustrating cycle of missed deadlines, inconsistent quality, and poor communication.

As founder of Zenaca Consulting, I have spent 30+ years on electronics manufacturing shop floor in India and outside India. I can see the disconnect. The surface-level problems—late deliveries, quality escapes, and slow responses—are not the real issues. They are symptoms of deeper, structural challenges that are often invisible to an OEM located thousands of miles away.​

If you are a global OEM struggling to get consistent performance from your Indian manufacturing partners, the problems you see are likely caused by challenges you don’t.

The Real Reasons Behind Your Supplier’s Struggles

The typical issues you face are often rooted in these three areas:

1. Immature Processes & Systems: Many Indian EMS companies, especially small to mid-sized players, have grown quickly without developing robust internal processes. They may lack strong systems for production planning, supply chain management, and quality control. This leads directly to the missed commitments and quality variations you experience.​
2. Fragmented Local Supply Chain: While improving, India’s electronics component ecosystem is not as mature as other regions. Your EMS partner may be struggling with their own set of unreliable Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, causing unforeseen delays in their ability to deliver to you.​
3. Ineffective Project Management: The “follow-up” culture is a real challenge. A lack of professional, proactive project management at the supplier’s end means that small issues are not flagged early, and they often become large problems by the time you hear about them.​

The result is a relationship based on firefighting, escalations, and constant frustration. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

How Zenaca Consulting Bridges the Gap

Success in outsourcing to India is not about finding the “perfect” supplier. It’s about building a “managed” partnership. You need a local, expert presence on the ground to act as your eyes, ears, and hands.

At Zenaca Consulting, we are your local partner. We don’t just find suppliers; we manage them. We embed ourselves in their operations to drive the performance you expect.

• We Install Robust Processes: We work directly on your supplier’s shop floor to implement the world-class processes they may be lacking—from production planning and inventory control to quality gates and data-driven reviews.​
• We Manage the Local Ecosystem: We have the local knowledge and network to vet and manage the Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, creating a more resilient and predictable supply chain for your products.
• We Drive Proactive Communication: We act as your single point of contact on the ground, ensuring that communication is clear, consistent, and proactive. We solve problems before they become your headache.

The “India Promise” is real, but it requires active management. Stop struggling from afar. Let Zenaca Consulting be your expert team on the ground, transforming your challenging supplier relationships into true, high-performing partnerships.

Are you ready to turn your Indian manufacturing challenges into a competitive advantage? Contact Zenaca Consulting today.