Case Study: Somewear Labs achieves cost-optimized, scalable production and improved product quality with MacroFab

MacroFab helped Somewear Labs understand and evaluate costs between two design options so they could quickly make the right business decision for their product launch

Somewear Labs, maker of the Somewear Global Hotspot satellite communicator, faced a late-stage design change to improve antenna performance that required a new via layout and threatened to raise PCB costs and delay their launch. With no known PCB fabricator able to meet the new requirements, Somewear Labs needed to vet manufacturing partners, reconcile the cost difference, and decide whether to adopt the new design. They engaged MacroFab for its manufacturing platform and multi‑layer, high‑density PCB assembly expertise to help evaluate the trade-offs.

MacroFab reviewed the design, sourced a qualified PCB fabrication partner, ran cost‑optimization analyses, and used its platform to organize design files and quotes, reducing confusion and turnaround time. MacroFab’s supply‑chain team secured best‑fit suppliers and long‑term volume commitments, and its Factory Portability enabled a staged production plan (US then Mexico) to lower unit costs at scale. The result was a decision to adopt the new PCB that improved product performance, lowered overall costs and improved unit economics, and accelerated Somewear Labs’ path from prototyping toward higher‑volume production with MacroFab’s support.

Somewear Labs

Alan Besquin

Co-Founder and CTO