Product category:
General Machining Subcontracting Services
News Release from: ACW Technology | Subject: Contract electronics manufacturer
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 April 2007
Chinese factory offers UK low-risk and
low-cost
ACW Technology, a UK contract electronics manufacturer (CEM), has opened a manufacturing plant in China for outsourcing with the convenience of a UK-based customer interface.
ACW Technology, one of Britain's most successful contract electronics manufacturers (CEM), has opened a manufacturing plant in China The new facility will help ACW appeal to customers interested in realising the cost benefits associated with outsourced manufacturing
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Apr 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Based in Zhuhai, China, the 35,000 sq ft factory will complement ACW's two existing UK facilities in Southampton and Tonypandy, South Wales.
The factory is fitted with new high-specification PCB assembly machines for lead-free and leaded product supply.
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ACW operates one manufacturing and IT system across all of its sites ensuring that consistent high-quality standards are met across the board and enabling rapid transfer of manufacturing data.
For all customers, the highly skilled, new product introduction phase will be carried out at ACW's headquarters in Southampton.
Products will then be moved over to the China facility for manufacturing when they are stable and running in volume.
In addition to enabling easy communications between ACW and its customers this allows better protection of intellectual property which wholesale outsourcing cannot provide.
Because ACW wholly owns and controls the new facility there is no reliance on partners or third parties meaning it can respond quickly to tight customer deadlines and demands.
And, more importantly, it is in complete control of the factory ensuring that the plans of ACW and its customers will be executed.
The general manager of the Chinese facility, Chris Wright, has a wealth of experience in setting up and running electronics production lines.
Western companies working directly with manufacturers in China are likely to experience cultural and communications issues which can sometimes lead to serious down stream problems.
ACW helps to bridge the cultural barrier between China and the West and mitigate communication problems like surprise deliveries with unauthorised specification changes and subsequent shipment price hikes.
The UK interface and control will allow for straightforward dealing without any unwanted surprises.
"This strategic investment enables us to meet the demands of UK customers for competitive pricing, without exposing them to the usual risks of outsourcing to remote developing countries," explains ACW's managing director, Owen Reeves.
"The combination of a low-cost Asian manufacturing facility, with full back-up from the facilities and processes available in the UK, provides a platform to maintain and develop relationships with key customers and ensure future growth".
Dave Taylor, sales and marketing director, ACW Technology comments: "Owning our own facility in China will help us branch out into new markets and appeal to a different kind of customer looking to realise the benefits associated with outsourced manufacturing".
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