Robert G Freid Expert Witness

Contact this Expert Witness

  • Company: Contract Manufacturing Consultants, Inc.
  • Phone: 425-329-2663
  • Cell: 425-445-6893
  • Fax: 425-483-1058
  • Website: www.cmcadvisors.com

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

General Specialties:

Manufacturing and Procurement/Purchasing

Specialty Focus:

electronics, SMT, PCBA, circuit boards, contracts, agreements, EMS, contract manufacturing, NPI, quality defects, China, Southeast Asia, Mexico, IRS, transfer pricing, cost models, production, supply chain, unit demand forecast accuracy, medical devices, outsource, pricing, on-shoring, off-shoring

Education:

M.B.A., Stanford University; B.S., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of California, Berkeley

Years in Practice:

25

Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs:

4

Additional Information

Since 1999, Mr. Freid has helped leading electronic device OEMs create low-cost and low risk outsource strategies and programs for printed circuit board assemblies and finished products. His work often includes in-depth audits of assembly and test processes, volumes and mix, supply chain alignment, pricing proposals, etc. of potentially suitable EMS sites in US, Mexico, China, other Asia and E. Europe. He brings unmatched first‐hand perspective of outsourcing pros and cons, deep electronics production expertise plus rigorous analytics to every engagement. His innovative case review and expert witness work is recognized by top law firms as most effective in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. Besides outsource strategy and litigation support, other key service areas include in-house vs. outsourcing analysis (make vs. buy) and contract manufacturer M&A work including assistance with deal negotiation. Special assignments have been varied e.g., assessing to what extent a missile system PCBA soldering defect is due to workmanship; reducing from 36 weeks to 14 weeks lead-time on custom wire wound transformers from China. Mr. Freid’s consulting and expert witness sole focus is on electronic device companies and products – from high-volume computers and cell phones to low volume build-to-order systems, with wide variety of special certifications and production processes. Product examples: • Medical Ultrasound and Fluids Analysis Equipment • ATM Banking and Financial Equipment • Computers, Hard Drives, Motherboards, Cellular Phones • Networking Communications, High-end Audio Products • Tracking Devices for Automotive and Other • Industrial LED Lighting and Power Supply Modules • Industrial HVAC Systems • Telephone Exchange Switching Systems Mr. Freid’s litigation clients are often global electronics contract manufacturers, Fortune 500 electronic device companies involving performance damage claims of $20 million to over $100 million. He has also served as expert witness in arguments for and against the IRS in matters involving offshore transfer-pricing and major tax liability disputes. This work typically includes assessment of relative value of offshore operations and technically based recommendations of comparable companies for financial benchmarking. Mr. Freid is well experienced in expert testimony, argument research, document review and analysis, rebuttal and report preparation. Mr. Freid has been an advisory board member to the University of Washington, Supply Chain and Transportation Logistics master's degree program. He is a panel member of Circuitnet.com's “Ask the Experts” for questions regarding quality control in PCBA SMT/PTH manufacturing. He has authored and contributed to articles and webcasts on selecting suitable electronics manufacturing services suppliers and on assessing share of burden for excess inventory and other performance-related damages.