From Battery Packs to Wiring Harnesses: Building Quality Into the Product

When people talk about producing “high-quality” products, there is often a perception that this simply involves conducting tests at the end of a manufacturing process to ensure that the products coming off the assembly line have achieved or exceeded any applicable standards for their functionality, appearance, etc. However, at Rapport we’ve found that in order to produce everything from battery packs to wiring harnesses that are of the highest caliber, we must build quality into our products at every step.  Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control in Battery Pack and Wiring Harness Production In discussing the quality of battery packs, wiring Read More

Just-in-Time Manufacturing: Used on Everything from Wiring Harnesses to Battery Packs

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing is a strategy focused on aligning the receiving of raw materials with manufacturing production schedules. The goal is to ensure that wiring harness and battery pack assembly teams have what they need, when they need it, but without materials or end product remaining in storage for extended periods. More Efficient Production of Wiring Harnesses and Battery Packs at Rapport At  Rapport, in most cases we manufacture to a JIT delivery plan. Components are purchased once the customer places their order, and the manufacturing process takes place after all components are received. Then, we ship to the customer Read More

The Importance of “First Articles” in the Manufacture of a Custom Wiring Harness or Cable Assembly

In manufacturing, a “first article” is an initial piece produced so that a customer can confirm that the assembly has been built precisely to their written specifications. In the development of a custom wiring harness or cable assembly, for example, coming to an agreement on whether the finished product adheres to the specifications provided before a production run is initiated is critically important. Doing so ensures that the customer’s investment in the parts will be money well-spent and helps prevent the need for significant rework. Bringing Extensive Expertise to Bear on Custom Wiring Harness First Articles In order to ensure Read More

Our CEO Reflects on Rapport’s 40 Years as an Innovator and Leader

  As Rapport hits a major milestone of 40 years as a leading provider of wiring harnesses and wholesale batteries, employees have been talking about the company’s origin and how it got to where it is today. Someone who has been involved from the very start is company President and CEO Kent Lehman. He recently shared some memories about the early years and observations on how the company has evolved. Bluebirds and the Blue Wirecutter in the Hall Rapport was founded by Kent’s mom, Sherry, in 1979. As the company grew, Kent’s dad, Dale, got involved. The couple worked hard Read More

Wire Harness Assembly: How a Wiring Harness is Made

Any product that is electrically powered can likely make use of a wiring harness. Also called a cable harness, cable assembly or wiring assembly, a wiring harness is a group of wires that typically starts and terminates with a type of connector specific to its function. Read More