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Metrology Glossary: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

What Is An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)?

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company specializing in the production of equipment or components designed for incorporation into the products of other businesses. OEMs play a crucial role in the supply chain, as they create essential building blocks that are then distributed to value-added resellers (VARs). These VARs are intermediary businesses that take these OEM components and integrate them into their own final products, often adding value through customization or additional features. These completed products are then made available to consumers in various industries. This collaborative relationship between OEMs and VARs enables the efficient creation and delivery of a wide range of consumer goods and technology products.

Why Are OEMs Important?

OEMs serve as the foundation of numerous industries, focusing on crafting components or machinery integrated into the final products of other enterprises. These components span from intricate automotive engines and computer chips to everyday essentials such as household appliance motors and smartphone displays. Retailers also work with OEMs, engaging them to manufacture private label goods marketed under their own brand identities. This collaborative model allows for efficient manufacturing processes and enables a wide variety of consumer products across different sectors.

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Further Reading

Electronic Controls 101 A Startup Guide for Mobile OEMs
You probably find yourself in a similar situation as many mobile machinery OEMs – with the pressing need to upgrade the controls on your machine to bring it up to today’s standards. That means you need a video display (HMI) with graphics that are tailored to your machine. You need
December 5, 2017
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Metrology Glossary: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) 2
Most mobile machinery OEM’s have transitioned their machines to electronic controllers designed for the severe installations found on mobile equipment. They are a great solution if you want to automate your mobile piece of machinery. The question is, how do you go about choosing what product is right for you?
April 20, 2020
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cratos off highway electrification
The short answer is, likely yes. As a mobile systems integrator, we always have our eye on the future. An important part of predicting where the market is going is watching regulations that are impacting the consumer vehicle market.
May 26, 2022
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Did you know… Cross Company is an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Our ESOP started in 1979 and as of 2006, we are 100% employee-owned! Learn more about our ESOP and how that benefits both team members and our customers.
Did you know... the precision measurement group at Cross was founded in 1939 by our current CEO's grandfather, Jim King. That's a whole lot of calibration!
Did you know... A fingerprint weighs about 50 micrograms. We know, we weighed it! The residue left from a finger can actually make a difference in weight results which is why we wear gloves when we calibrate weights. For reference, a sheet of paper is about 4.5 grams, that’s 4.5 million micrograms.
Did you know… Cross Company has grown significantly since our start in 1954. Over the years we've acquired 26 companies! Today, our five groups have expertise in everything from industrial automation to precision measurement, and industry knowledge going all the way back to 1939.