Gear

How Humminbirds are made

Go inside the Humminbird factory and see how these sophisticated bassin' electronics are manufactured.

Posted on
B.A.S.S. recently visited Humminbird’s manufacturing facility in Eufaula, Ala., where Humminbird Brand Manager Jeff Kolodzinski gave us a tour and a lesson in bassin’ electronics. Above is one of the original Humminbird (Techsonic Industries) flasher units from the 1970s. It laid the groundwork for electronics on bass boats, according to Kolodzinski.
B.A.S.S. recently visited Humminbird’s manufacturing facility in Eufaula, Ala., where Humminbird Brand Manager Jeff Kolodzinski gave us a tour and a lesson in bassin’ electronics. Above is one of the original Humminbird (Techsonic Industries) flasher units from the 1970s. It laid the groundwork for electronics on bass boats, according to Kolodzinski.
Humminbird Operations General Manager Craig Packard (left) and Jeff Kolodzinski talk about Humminbird's presence in Eufaula. Kolodzinski pointed out,
Humminbird Operations General Manager Craig Packard (left) and Jeff Kolodzinski talk about Humminbird’s presence in Eufaula. Kolodzinski pointed out, “Our property includes 50 acres on Lake Eufaula, with a boathouse enabling direct lake access 24/7 for product development and testing activities. This will be the view from our new Research and Development Center set to be completed in early 2014.”
Packard holds a printed circuit board assembly, made in the Humminbird PCB manufacturing facility in Eufaula, AL.
Packard holds a printed circuit board assembly, made in the Humminbird PCB manufacturing facility in Eufaula, AL.
“Here you can see some of the integral parts of one of the sub-assembly processes in making Humminbird fishfinders. We are an integrated facility performing printed circuit board assembly, display enhancement, final assembly of our fishfinders and accessories, service and warranty repair, and domestic and international shipping,” Kolodzinski explains.
Here you can see a conveyor transfer of a printed circuit board assembly, leading into an automated optical test station. Each assembly is tracked at every stage of the process and tested at least three times before it leaves the Humminbird factory.
Here you can see a conveyor transfer of a printed circuit board assembly, leading into an automated optical test station. Each assembly is tracked at every stage of the process and tested at least three times before it leaves the Humminbird factory.
One of the automated test stations in an assembly cell.
One of the automated test stations in an assembly cell.
Packard leads us to a test station at one of the assembly cells; cells are modular in design and encompass SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies), and other flexible manufacturing and assembly techniques.
Packard leads us to a test station at one of the assembly cells; cells are modular in design and encompass SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies), and other flexible manufacturing and assembly techniques.
This is a fishfinder assembly in a moving tray, configured to optimize handling and efficiency.
This is a fishfinder assembly in a moving tray, configured to optimize handling and efficiency.
The final configuration and electronics assembly is staged to move on to testing and packaging.
The final configuration and electronics assembly is staged to move on to testing and packaging.
These Humminbird 1100 series combination fishfinder/GPS units are going through one of three test sequences.
These Humminbird 1100 series combination fishfinder/GPS units are going through one of three test sequences.
Kolodzinski points to a chart showing the size of the components used in the printed circuit boards — many of these components are microscopic. As a frame of reference, the larger white circle is a single grain of rice.
Kolodzinski points to a chart showing the size of the components used in the printed circuit boards — many of these components are microscopic. As a frame of reference, the larger white circle is a single grain of rice.
Humminbird Operations General Manager Craig Packard is interviewed by Jim Sexton of B.A.S.S.
Humminbird Operations General Manager Craig Packard is interviewed by Jim Sexton of B.A.S.S.
These are transducers manufactured and assembled in Eufaula. By making these in the United States, Humminbird has flexibility in fulfilling orders; it also reduces design time.
These are transducers manufactured and assembled in Eufaula. By making these in the United States, Humminbird has flexibility in fulfilling orders; it also reduces design time.
Humminbird has a skilled, veteran workforce in Eufaula and continues to be a preferred employer in the area.
Humminbird has a skilled, veteran workforce in Eufaula and continues to be a preferred employer in the area.
Humminbird utilizes many tools and strategies to engage and motivate its employees. One of these methods involves use of cardboard replicas of select employees to deliver inspirational and motivational messages in a unique and fun manner.
Humminbird utilizes many tools and strategies to engage and motivate its employees. One of these methods involves use of cardboard replicas of select employees to deliver inspirational and motivational messages in a unique and fun manner.
Humminbird uses paperless work instructions to maximize control, efficiency and quality.
Humminbird uses paperless work instructions to maximize control, efficiency and quality.
The company has numerous controls in place to ensure that all parts and components are packaged fully and correctly. Visual controls, bar code validation, weight scales and sign-offs are just some of the quality engineering methods utilized.
The company has numerous controls in place to ensure that all parts and components are packaged fully and correctly. Visual controls, bar code validation, weight scales and sign-offs are just some of the quality engineering methods utilized.
<p>Kolodzinski gives one final interview that touches on the history of Humminbird, and its roots in Eufaula, Ala.</p> <p>​See a video of our visit to the factory <a href=
Kolodzinski gives one final interview that touches on the history of Humminbird, and its roots in Eufaula, Ala.
​See a video of our visit to the factory here.
To learn more about Humminbird, you can visit their website.

Related