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CM News
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Solectron Acquires Facility, Adds ManagementMILPITAS, Calif. Solectron Corp., a provider of supply-chain management and electronics manufacturing services (EMS), completed its acquisition of Sony's facility in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The new site will provide a range of services to Sony and other customers. As part of the transaction, Solectron gains 126,700 sq. ft. of manufacturing capacity. Additionally, 1,145 Sony employees transferred to Solectron. The facility is designed for high-end consumer products such as automobile satellite navigation systems, car audio systems and lithium-ion battery packs.
"This is an exciting day for Solectron and our people, as we start building our relationship with Sony," said Ko Nishimura, president and CEO of Solectron. "The Nakaniida facility comes with a skilled and capable workforce that will further strengthen our ability to provide customers with a full range of manufacturing and supply-chain services."
In other company news, Solectron added several new employees to its organizational infrastructure. Art O'Donnell joined Solectron as vice president and COO of global services operations. He will have overall responsibility for global services operations.
Denis Taylor was named vice president and general manager of Solectron global services Europe. In this role, Taylor's responsibilities include global services operations in Bordeaux, France; Cwmcarn, Wales; and England.
Bart van Dijk was appointed general manager, Solectron global services Netherlands.
"Solectron's global services presence has experienced and is continuing to enjoy significant growth and overall success," said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president and president of global services. "Their combined technical and industry experience will be a great addition to our global services team."
Jabil Circuit, Marconi Announce Manufacturing DealST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Marconi and Jabil Circuit Inc. entered into an agreement which divests certain Marconi Communications manufacturing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany to Jabil Circuit.
Jabil Circuit will purchase five Marconi Communications operations and enter a three-year product supply agreement to manufacture existing and new products for Marconi. Services provided to Marconi will include printed circuit board (PCB) assembly and repair. Under the proposed terms of the deal, up to 2,900 employees in Bedford, Texas; Liverpool and Coventry, United Kingdom; Marcianise, Italy; and Offenburg, Germany will progressively transfer to Jabil Circuit. No job layoffs are expected and existing employment rights will be protected.
Mike Parton, CEO of Marconi Communications said, "We chose Jabil Circuit because it has recognized expertise in the communications equipment industry, global presence and the financial strength to support Marconi's rapid growth. Jabil's technology leadership ... will give Marconi supply chain scalability, shorter lead times, quality and cost advantages. It will allow Marconi to focus on where to add the greatest value for customers providing outstanding solutions, developing new products and fulfilling orders as quickly as possible."
"Jabil's strategic objectives to boost its European profile, enhance its U.S. presence, broaden participation in the communications sector and to invest in advanced technology manufacturing competencies are well supported," said Tim Main, Jabil president and CEO. "We also look forward to welcoming aboard a highly skilled and talented workforce and invite them to enjoy new and rewarding opportunities as part of Jabil and the expanding EMS industry."
The transaction is intended to be implemented by mid-2001.
MSL Adds Facility, Names Marketing VPCONCORD, Mass. Manufacturers Services Ltd. (MSL), an EMS company, opened a second facility in Spain to increase its European presence. The company hopes the new facility will tap into the region's growing demand for consumer electronics products. "Our customers around the world recognize the significant market opportunity in Europe and are increasingly looking for ways to optimize their presence there," said Robert Donahue, MSL's president.
The new 76,000 sq. ft. plant in Tarragona, Spain will complement its Valencia-based design center. The Tarragona facility will provide OEMs with services such as PCB assembly and system integration.
In other MSL news, the company appointed Stephen Schultz vice president of marketing and communications. A 15-year veteran of the technology industry, Schultz will develop MSL's corporate marketing strategy and provide day-to-day management of the marketing communications program.
"We are excited to have Stephen join our senior management team with his considerable experience in the technology sector," commented Donahue.
As vice president, Schultz assumes overall responsibility for worldwide marketing activities. He will be based in the company's Concord, Mass. headquarters.
Plexus Acquires e2E Corp., KeltekNEENAH, Wis. Plexus Corp., a provider of product development, design, manufacturing and testing services, has completed its acquisition of e2E Corp., a privately held PCB design and engineering service provider for OEMs. The acquisition increases Plexus' PCB design and engineering capabilities as well as its geographic footprint.
In addition, the acquisition expands Plexus' product realization services by adding more than 100 engineers and designers in seven domestic design centers.
"e2E enhances our overall design and engineering capabilities, and provides Plexus an immediate presence in key domestic and international markets," said Plexus President and COO John Nussbaum.
The acquisition is accounted for as a pooling of interests. Plexus Corp. also has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Keltek Ltd., an EMS provider. The acquisition will establish Plexus' base in Western Europe. Through this arrangement, Plexus will gain two manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom. Plexus plans to retain all existing management and employees in the two facilities.
Visteon Develops Electronic ModuleDEARBORN, Mich. Visteon Corp., a supplier of technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide, announced the automotive industry's first use of lead-free solder paste in a PCB electronic module. Visteon received approval from Ford Motor Co. to manufacture and supply its passive anti-theft system (PATS) transceiver module using the lead-free solder. Visteon's strategic business unit (SBU) supplies the PATS transceiver module.
"This technology illustrates Visteon's environmental leadership efforts. Additionally, it will enable us to meet future worldwide government requirements, while meeting the needs of our customers," said Gary Mayo, director of environmental affairs for Visteon. The PATS module uses a lead-free solder paste to replace the tin-lead alloy solder. The company developed the module in anticipation of restrictions on the use of all but trace amounts of lead in most or all vehicle components in North America, Europe and Japan.
ORS Offers New ServicesPRINCETON, N.J. ORS Automation Inc., a developer of microprocessor-based vision systems for industrial use, offers two new services to OEMs and custom machine builders. These services offer assistance in designing and implementing machine vision and control strategies, and volume industrial PC systems supply.
ORS is making its machine visions tasks image acquisition, identification, recognition and alignment available direct to OEMs and custom machine builders. The tools associated with these tasks previously had been available only as part of its core products.
Celestica Consolidates Design ServicesTORONTO EMS provider Celestica Inc. consolidated its design services groups to form a Global Design Operation. Jenny Ryan, vice president of Global Design, will lead the operation. The new operation will enable faster time-to-market for customer products and enforces the company's focus on optical networking, wireless and embedded computing technologies.
Ryan stated, "Celestica's Global Design Operation consolidates our technology and engineering strength to give our customers a competitive advantage in their marketplace through improved performance, quality and time-to-market."
Design facilities in Toronto, Canada; Kidsgrove, United Kingdom; Vimercate, Italy; Chelmsford, Mass.; and Boulder, Colo. form the foundation of the operation. From these facilities, the company will offer design services on a global basis.
The new group will provide services that include electrical circuit design, ASIC design, power system design, software and firmware development, system design and packaging, thermal management, design verification testing, safety and regulatory qualification, and new product introductions.
C-MAC Acquires Nortel Activities, Opens FacilityMONTREAL C-MAC Industries, an EMS provider, acquired certain electronics computer-aided design (ECAD), electronics systems packaging (ESP), product integrity engineering and product assurance activities from Nortel Networks. The transaction includes the acquisition of test and inspection equipment and activities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, the transfer of the related employees, and an expansion of C-MAC's existing contracts with Nortel for the supply of products and design services.
Additionally, C-MAC opened an 85,000 sq. ft. facility in Cornwall, Ontario,Canada. The facility provides support for electromechanical assembly and systems integration services.
e4eNET, Celestica Form AgreementWALTHAM, Mass. e4eNet.com Inc., a company specializing in business-to-business (B2B) collaboration technology, entered into a Beta agreement with Celestica, a manufacturing and design provider. The agreement involves streamlining both internal and external business processes, resulting in a higher level of optimization that ultimately fosters improved time to market.
Leigh Eichel, president of e4eNet.com Inc., said, "The e4eNet.com suite of services is past the definition and initial design phases, and we are moving rapidly into the detailed design and proving stage. We are delighted to have such an agreement with Celestica."
John Yealland, Celestica's vice president of corporate technology, said of the agreement, "Celestica chose to deploy Valor's ODB++ based engineering solutions enterprise-wide and its work with e4eNet is a continuation of this successful relationship. By entering into this Beta agreement with e4eNet, Celestica continues to innovate ways to support its engineering collaboration efforts with its customers."
e4e's business optimization systems enable corporations to have direct, over-the-internet integration with all suppliers including distributors, CMs, financial institutions and many other trading partners. The company's web-intrinsic applications for building supply-chain communications allow manufacturers, suppliers and customers to dynamically interact, plan, schedule and commit, in real time, using an industry-standard browser as the desktop interface.
Sparton Corp. Elects President to Board, Forms AllianceJACKSON, Mich. The president of Sparton Corp., David W. Hockenbrocht, was elected to the Cybernet Systems Corp. board of directors. Located in Ann Arbor, Mich., Cybernet Systems is a research and development company focused on commercializing technology that combines software intelligence, Internet connectivity and man-machine interaction. Sparton Corp.'s investment strategy with Cybernet provides a complementary core competency for Sparton. The interest in Cybernet allows Sparton to collaborate with Cybernet on projects with extensive design and software requirements.
In other Sparton news, the company formed an alliance with Gaston Electronics, an EMS company located in Mt. Holly, N.C. The addition of Gaston provides design and manufacturing capabilities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Gaston specializes in large and small electromechanical assemblies produced in quantities from one-of-a-kind to daily high volumes.
ACT Manufacturing Acquires EMS ProviderHUDSON, Mass. ACT Manufacturing, an EMS company, completed its acquisition of GSS Array Technology, another EMS provider. ACT gained almost 3,000 additional skilled workers and 240,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space through the acquisition.
Two former GSS executives have joined ACT. Robert Zinn, previously CEO of GSS, now is ACT's executive vice president of European and Asian Pacific operations. Jim Menges, former GSS Array president, now is ACT's senior vice president of operations for Asia.
EIS Com-Kyl Expands ServicesATLANTA Com-Kyl, a distributor of production supplies and materials to electronics manufacturers, announced expansions to its distribution and logistics systems. The company will open a 58,000 sq. ft. centralized distribution center in Tempe, Ariz. to compliment the inventory and services offered by its regional stocking warehouses. The central distribution center allows for same-day shipments with high-fill rates.
EIS Com-Kyl also has implemented automated inventory management systems at customer locations to dispense products and track consumption on a real-time basis. The company reports experiencing new customer growth because of the supply advantage this system gives their customers.
Sanmina Earns RecognitionSAN JOSE, Calif. Sanmina Corp. has been recognized as "one of the best-managed companies in the industry," according to Robertson Stephens Inc. analyst J. Keith Dunne. Dunne refers to the San Jose-based contract electronics manufacturer's (CEM) acquisition of PCB maker Hadco Corp. in April 2000, as well as the purchase of Avaya, Lucent Technologies Inc.'s system-integration and fulfillment operation in October 2000.
"We expect Sanmina's internal growth to remain between 40 and 45 percent in fiscal 2001 and represent about 90 percent of the company's total growth assuming no further acquisitions," Dunne said.
Nam Tai Expands ProductionVANCOUVER, Canada Nam Tai Electronics Inc. has expanded its chip on glass (COG) production capacity because of the strong market demand for liquid crystal display (LCD) modules for cellular phones and other electronics products. Based on market demand and customers' order forecasts for LCD modules, production capacity must increase by 60 percent by the end of 2001. As a result, the company has ordered four additional COG production lines, increasing to a total of nine lines.
Nam Tai Electronics is an electronics design and manufacturing services provider manufacturing LCD modules, COG, chip on board (COB), SMT, ball grid array (BGA) and more.