Computer and Electronic Products

Employees: 959

Businesses: 22

$31.1 million

Example companies: Positronic, Southwest Electronics, Carlton-Bates Co.

PJ Hord, general manager of Southwest Electronics, said southwest Missouri’s diverse economy bodes well for her company, which has been making printed circuit boards and related electronic components since the 1970s. Southwest Electronics’ products are used in hospital beds and equipment for the aeronautics and marine industries, for example.

What’s challenging, however, is convincing customers to balance quantity and speed with quality workmanship.

“If an order goes above 10,000 (pieces), you’re seeing that work going overseas,” Hord said, specifically pointing to competitors in China and Mexico. “People who want high quality don’t go overseas; they want to order some place where they can control quality and there won’t be scheduling issues.”