![]() ![]() To address the issue, OES engineers developed sensing and detecting devices that automatically measure the ‘crimp force’ applied during wire crimping, a process that determines the final quality of wire harnesses. Wire harness defects led to many problems like intermittent connections in correct wire/terminal combinations and open circuits. OES stepped into another niche market when several global automakers with plants in southern Ontario asked for the company’s help to solve high defect rates in wire harnesses. Seeing an opportunity to grow its footprint in this niche market, OES continued launching new products to assist automakers, wire harness manufacturers, and machine builders with quality control. OES is also the official scoring and timing supplier of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. Recent projects include SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers) and Allegiant Stadium near Las Vegas (home of the NFL’s Raiders). Thanks to these innovations and the company’s reputation as a supplier of high quality scoring products, OES scoreboards, video displays, timing solutions and scoreboard control systems are used in stadiums and professional sports venues across North America. That would not have been possible if OES had not recognized the growing importance of software in the market and invested in its in-house software development capabilities. ![]() ColorCast and ColorCast Pro offers customers the ability to select virtually any color combination imaginable, change digit colors during a game, and activate dynamic in-game features based on the current state of play. Taking that hardware innovation one step further, OES built complementary software for their new digit technology, aptly named ColorCast. The company managed to achieve multiple colors appearing from the same set of LED digits used in a scoreboard. More recently, OES disrupted the scoreboard market with another innovation. While they cost more initially, increased sales and happier customers justified the move. To solve that issue, OES made scoreboards with bright white LED digits. Traditional scoreboards at football and baseball fields used red, amber or orange digits and suffered from low visibility during daytime. Many of the innovations that provide OES with a competitive advantage originated from employees’ desire to make products that enhanced the customer experience. Innovation helped OES differentiate itself from other companies making scoreboards. That marked the beginning of OES’ venture into the scoreboard market. Then, ahead of the 1994 CHL playoffs, the London Knights asked the company to upgrade its scoreboard with LED digits. One of the earliest niche products OES built under its own brand were the timing clocks used by flower auction houses in the Netherlands. ![]() Combined with the company’s extensive expertise in building printed circuit boards, electronic components and devices, that strategic focus allowed OES to enter niche markets where it could compete strongly. ![]() The answer was to focus on making niche products, continuously improving quality, fostering in-house innovation, and investing in the newest technologies. “Many of our competitors can only build things based on customer specs but OES engineers assist customers in every step of electronics manufacturing.” That competitive advantage attracted companies like Trojan Technologies, Stryker Corporation, and General Dynamics to work with OES.Īs a medium-sized company, OES had to learn how to compete with larger companies and with manufacturers based in lower-cost regions. “Our engineers are our biggest competitive advantage,” says Jeff Stewart, the company’s CEO. Today, OES exports 60 per cent of its products, mainly to the United States, but also to Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. With 90 employees, the company assists its customers in designing, developing, prototyping, and manufacturing electronic components and products. Founded in 1980, OES is primarily an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company based in London. Scoreboards, timing clocks, and other ancillary products that serve the sports industry make up only about one half of OES’ business. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |