Grand opening marks return to normal service

A Vishay Electro-Films product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Nov 7, 2003

Vishay Electro-Films hosted a grand opening last month for its recently rebuilt Warwick, Rhode Island, facility.

Vishay Electro-Films hosted a grand opening last month for its recently rebuilt Warwick, Rhode Island, facility.

The event began at noon with a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Dr Felix Zandman, Chairman and CEO of Vishay Intertechnology, gave a presentation to local dignitaries, Vishay management, local and national media, and customers from around the world.

Dr Zandman, founder of Vishay Intertechnology, has published three textbooks and many scientific papers, and holds 39 patents in the USA and abroad.

He's been awarded the Electronic Industries Alliance Medal of Honour, Order of Merit for Research and Invention (France), Distinguished Contribution Award from the American Society for Stress Analysis, Franklin Institute Medal for Science, Best Strategic Investor Award from the Israel Manufacturers Association, and the Legion d'Honeur from the President of France.

The luncheon was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new manufacturing facility, which was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in February 2002.

The $50 million facility that now stands is the most advanced thin-film manufacturing plant in the world, doubling production capacity and providing greater flexibility and accuracy for specialised designs.

"After the fire, we could have transferred Vishay Electro-Films operations to other Vishay facilities", says Glyndwr Smith, Vishay's Executive Vice President for Marketing Intelligence.

"But we decided to remain with our dedicated employees in Warwick and serve our loyal customers by rebuilding a facility that's unmatched in the industry".

Vishay Electro-Films is a technology leader in manufacturing thin-film components and networks on ceramic and silicon, including resistors, capacitors, inductors and microwave components.

Lead times for most of the division's products have been cut in half since January, and sales have exceeded levels reached before the fire.

Over the next couple of months, a new plating line and sputtering equipment will be installed.