Fujifilm brings business back from Far East

Fujifilm Electronic Imaging has re-appointed TTems as its sole supplier of PCB assemblies, bringing a projected revenue to TTems of GBP 3 million for 2006.

Electronics manufacturing services provider TTems' six-year partnership with Fujifilm Electronic Imaging (FFEI) is this year marked by FFEI's return to TTems as its sole supplier of PCB assemblies, bringing a projected revenue to TTems of GBP 3 million for 2006.

TTems has enjoyed a successful partnership with FFEI - Fujifilm's only manufacturer of electronic pre-press equipment for Fujifilm outside Japan - at its Rogerstone site since 1999.

In a hugely competitive arena, the relationship has endured a split of volume work to the Far East in 2002, with specialised, niche work being retained by TTems.

This was as a result of a major cost down exercise by FFEI where procurement opportunities in Asia and Eastern Europe were reviewed - and FFEI's foresight that UK and Far Eastern manufacturers should complement each others capabilities.

However, two years later, when FFEI's Far Eastern supplier experienced difficulties in procuring parts and significant threats to FFEI's supply arose, the company returned volume PCB assembly operations back to TTems in the UK, making it again the company's sole source of supply.

This decision was based on the consistently good relationship which had been maintained during this time.

To ensure the transition was as smooth as possible, TTems' NPI team worked diligently to implement the 38 new lines at its Rogerstone facility over a two month period.

These lines are spread across five ranges of FFEI equipment, two of which are FFEI's cutting edge products: the Luxel-V machine series and V6 machine.

TTems works closely with FFEI and provides design for manufacture (DFM) expertise, full material procurement with obsolescence management, SMT with hand assembly, final box-build, full in-circuit and functional tests.

Extensive work is also being carried out on transfer product lines at Rogerstone to manage conversion to lead-free in line with legislative requirements (RoHS), and the first lead free FFEI board samples are already undergoing full functional test.

Andrew Cox, Director and General Manager at TTems Rogerstone, comments: "TTems has made a long-term commitment to growing its presence and credibility within a competitive marketplace, and our ongoing relationship with companies such as Fujifilm Electronic Imaging is testament to the beneficial resource we can provide to technology leaders.

"FFEI has plans to grow its CTP market share to 20% over the next three years with its Luxel V series and V6 products, and TTems hopes that the relationship between the two companies will continue to flourish during this period of anticipated growth".

Nigel Birch, Operations Director of Fujifilm Electronic Imaging, comments: "FFEI is an industry leader in the design, manufacture and supply of electronic pre-press equipment and software, dedicated to providing quality imaging systems using leading edge technologies".

"The strength of our products is underpinned by the quality of suppliers like TTems, and FFEI seeks to maintain consistent relationships with suppliers of the highest integrity".

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