Full Turnkey PCB Assembly and Contract Manufacturing Explained
Every engineer has had that moment. You’ve nailed the design, finalized the layout, and your prototype works beautifully. Then comes the big question – who’s going to build it?
You could try juggling component sourcing, assembly, testing, and logistics across multiple vendors… or you could hand it off to one expert partner and sleep better at night.
Welcome to the world of Full Turnkey PCB Assembly and Contract Manufacturing – the all-in-one solution that takes your project from concept to completion under one roof.
At ANZER, we’ve been doing exactly that for over 33 years – helping OEMs across medical, aerospace, industrial automation, lighting, and custom electronics turn complex designs into market-ready products.
With 4,000+ completed projects, AS9100D, ISO 13485, and ISO 9001 certifications, and a track record that speaks for itself, we know what it takes to deliver electronics that are on-spec, on-time, and on-budget.
In this guide, we’ll break down what full turnkey PCB assembly really means, how it compares to partial or consigned builds, and why choosing the right manufacturing partner (like ANZER) can transform your entire production process.
Table of Contents
What Is Full Turnkey PCB Assembly?
Let’s start with the basics.
Full turnkey PCB assembly is a complete electronics manufacturing solution where your contract manufacturer handles everything – from sourcing and procurement to assembly, testing, and delivery.
You send your design files, and they take care of the rest.
It’s like having a “build button” for your product.
A Full Turnkey Manufacturer Like ANZER Handles:
- Component sourcing and purchasing (including hard-to-find parts)
- PCB fabrication
- SMT and through-hole assembly
- Inspection and testing
- Conformal coating and potting
- Final box build and system integration
- Packaging and delivery
In short, you provide the brainpower – we provide the muscle, precision, and process control to make it real.
Full Turnkey vs. Partial Turnkey vs. Consigned
To understand why full turnkey is often the preferred choice, let’s compare it with other manufacturing models.
| Model | Who Provides Components | Who Manages Assembly | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consigned Assembly | You (the customer) | Manufacturer | Low-volume, early-stage prototypes |
| Partial Turnkey | Split between customer and manufacturer | Manufacturer | Companies with existing inventory or preferred suppliers |
| Full Turnkey | Manufacturer (like ANZER) | Manufacturer | Scalable, reliable production from start to finish |
Consigned builds can save money if you have excess parts.
Partial turnkey is useful when you have special components.
But full turnkey delivers maximum efficiency, quality control, and peace of mind – especially for OEMs ready to scale.
Why Full Turnkey PCB Assembly Is a Game-Changer
When you hand off your entire project to a trusted manufacturer, you gain something invaluable: time, consistency, and control.
Here’s what makes full turnkey manufacturing such a powerful choice.
1. One Vendor. One Point of Contact. Zero Chaos.
With full turnkey, there’s no juggling multiple suppliers, shipping delays, or invoice confusion.
ANZER handles everything – sourcing, assembly, and testing – meaning you have a single partner accountable for your project’s success.
Less coordination. More collaboration.
2. Better Component Sourcing and Supply Chain Resilience
Global component shortages have made procurement a challenge for everyone.
ANZER’s sourcing team works with a network of trusted, verified suppliers, ensuring:
- Quality components from authorized distributors
- On-time availability
- Cost optimization through volume purchasing
- Counterfeit prevention and full traceability
That’s how we keep production moving – even when global supply chains stumble.
3. Certified Quality You Can Measure
In industries like aerospace and medical, quality isn’t negotiable. It’s regulated.
ANZER’s certifications – AS9100D (Aerospace), ISO 13485 (Medical), and ISO 9001 (Quality Management) – guarantee that every step of your build follows strict documentation and testing protocols.
We’re routinely audited, validated, and trusted by OEMs who can’t afford anything less than excellence.
4. Faster Turnaround, Lower Lead Times
When every stage of production is handled under one roof, you eliminate handoff delays and logistical bottlenecks.
That’s why ANZER consistently delivers on-time – without compromising on precision or testing.
We call it speed without shortcuts.
5. Cost Efficiency Through Consolidation
Outsourcing every stage separately can look cheaper on paper – until you add up shipping, management, and error correction costs.
Full turnkey assembly minimizes those inefficiencies.
By consolidating everything in one facility, ANZER helps customers reduce waste, streamline logistics, and keep pricing predictable.
6. Seamless Design-to-Production Transition
Our engineering team works directly with your designers to ensure your files, BOMs, and test procedures align with manufacturing best practices.
We catch issues before they become production problems – saving you costly redesigns and delays.
Because in manufacturing, the only thing better than fixing a problem fast is preventing it entirely.
7. Total Traceability and Testing
Every component, every board, every assembly is tracked from start to finish.
We use:
- Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
- Functional Testing
- Environmental or burn-in testing (when required)
- Complete serialization and data logging
If there’s ever a question about performance or compliance, we can trace it back instantly.
Inside ANZER’s Full Turnkey Process
Let’s take a closer look at how a full turnkey PCB assembly actually flows at ANZER.
Step 1: Design Review and Quoting
You send us your design files – Gerbers, BOM, assembly drawings, and test requirements.
Our engineering and procurement teams review everything for manufacturability and sourcing efficiency.
Then we send you a detailed quote with timeline, cost, and any optimization suggestions.
Step 2: Component Procurement
Once approved, our sourcing team procures every part from authorized distributors and traceable sources.
We verify authenticity, shelf life, and compatibility with your design.
Step 3: PCB Fabrication
We coordinate with trusted board fabricators to produce the bare PCBs to your exact specifications – material, thickness, finish, and copper weight.
Step 4: Assembly (SMT & Through-Hole)
Our technicians and automated SMT lines bring your design to life, placing components with micron-level accuracy.
We also handle through-hole soldering, hand assembly, and mixed-technology builds.
Step 5: Inspection and Testing
Each board undergoes visual inspection, AOI, and functional testing to ensure flawless operation.
For complex builds, we can perform environmental stress or burn-in testing as required.
Step 6: Potting, Coating, and Box Build
Need protection against moisture, vibration, or dust?
We handle potting and conformal coating in-house.
Then, we integrate the assembly into its final enclosure, complete with wiring, labeling, and testing – ready to ship as a finished product.
Step 7: Packaging and Delivery
We package and label everything according to your requirements, ship on schedule, and provide complete documentation – from test reports to traceability logs.
And yes, we track every shipment until it reaches your door.
Full Turnkey vs. Building In-House
For OEMs debating between outsourcing and in-house production, here’s the truth:
Building in-house requires massive capital investment, skilled labor, and certification compliance.
Full turnkey manufacturing offers:
- Lower startup costs
- Access to advanced equipment
- Faster market entry
- Guaranteed quality systems
- Scalability without infrastructure headaches
ANZER essentially acts as your external factory – without the overhead or operational complexity.
Why Choose ANZER for Full Turnkey PCB Assembly
There’s no shortage of contract manufacturers out there. But very few combine certified quality, in-house integration, and decades of experience the way ANZER does.
Here’s what makes us different:
- 33+ years in electronics manufacturing
- 4,000+ projects completed across 10+ industries
- Certified: AS9100D, ISO 13485, ISO 9001
- MBE & WBE certified for supplier diversity
- In-house capabilities: PCB, wire harness, box build, coating, potting, testing
- Flexible production: from prototypes to full-scale runs
- Proven reliability: on-spec, on-time, and on-budget
Our clients range from startup innovators to global OEMs – all trusting ANZER to deliver precision manufacturing without the complexity.
Industries That Benefit Most from Full Turnkey Solutions
1. Medical Devices
With ISO 13485 certification, ANZER builds medical-grade electronics with complete traceability and documentation.
2. Aerospace and Defense
AS9100D certification ensures aerospace assemblies meet the highest performance and safety standards.
3. Industrial Automation
We build durable, high-reliability control and sensor systems for industrial applications.
4. Lighting and Agriculture
Our assemblies withstand moisture, temperature changes, and outdoor exposure.
5. OEM and Custom Electronics
From R&D to full production, ANZER supports custom OEM projects with flexible, scalable manufacturing.
Common Myths About Full Turnkey Manufacturing
Myth 1: It’s more expensive.
Truth: When you account for time savings, logistics, and quality assurance, full turnkey is often cheaper overall.
Myth 2: You lose control of your design.
Truth: You retain full ownership – we just manage the manufacturing efficiently and securely.
Myth 3: It’s only for big companies.
Truth: ANZER works with startups, mid-size firms, and enterprise OEMs alike. Flexibility is our specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does full turnkey PCB assembly include?
Everything from component sourcing and PCB fabrication to assembly, testing, and final delivery – all handled by your manufacturer.
2. How long does the process take?
Lead time depends on design complexity and component availability, but full turnkey projects often complete faster due to reduced vendor coordination.
3. Is full turnkey more reliable than partial turnkey?
Yes. With a single manufacturer managing the entire process, there’s less room for errors, communication gaps, or delays.
4. Can ANZER handle low-volume or prototype builds?
Absolutely. We specialize in no-minimum-quantity runs and quick-turn prototypes for R&D teams.
5. How does ANZER ensure quality?
Through certified quality systems (AS9100D, ISO 13485, ISO 9001), functional testing, traceability, and continuous improvement processes.
Conclusion: The Smarter Way to Build
Choosing a full turnkey PCB assembly partner isn’t just a manufacturing decision – it’s a business strategy.
With ANZER, you’re not dealing with multiple vendors or wondering where your components are. You’re partnering with a certified U.S. manufacturer that’s handled thousands of projects and knows how to deliver precision, accountability, and value at every stage.
From the first design file to the final shipment, ANZER ensures your products are built on-spec, on-time, and on-budget – every single time.
So if you’re ready to simplify production, reduce risk, and accelerate time-to-market, it’s time to go turnkey – the ANZER way.
Ready to Build Smarter?
📍 ANZER – Electronics Design & Contract Manufacturing
Akron, Ohio | AS9100D | ISO 13485 | ISO 9001 Certified
