In troubled times, success stories can be difficult to find, so it is doubly rewarding when one hears of positive news as we are able to report here.
The electronics manufacturing services market has generally suffered less than certain specific sectors due to it's spread across the market. However, there have been some casualties and a general slowdown suffered by most.
CT Production Limited of Dorset has been one of the more positive stories, as related by the Managing Director, Alan Trevarton.
"We certainly started the year very well and found that the market dipped from May onwards, a picture described to me by other companies too. However, we continued our policy of investment, purchasing a Europlacer Xpress 25T SMT placement machine at an opportune moment, increasing our SMT capacity and capability down to 01005.
Our continuing growth after moving to our current premises in 2005 means that we need more space and have been on the lookout for an opportunity to grow. This has now arisen and we aim to be doubling in size by expanding into the factory next door. We expect this to be occupied by Christmas, with the benefit of no disruption to the present site. We are therefore ready for the expected upturn and for the increasing demand for final assembly and box-build from existing and prospective customers."
There are, however, further challenges ahead for the electronics market, as Mr. Trevarton explains, "Due to the recession, stocks of components have not been replenished by distributors and manufacturers, hence, now things are starting to bounce back, they are being restrained by increasing lead times for parts.
This is causing a great deal of pain for some suppliers and their customers, since product stocks have also been allowed to be depleted and are now needed quickly. For existing contracts we have ensured that schedules and buffer stocking and similar arrangements are in place. However, we are being very active on sourcing methods where such arrangements are not in place, hence are able to achieve customer requirements in most cases. This is the expectation from a Beacon approved company".
For those who are not aware of what Beacon is, it is an organisation set up by the Regional Development Agency to select above average performing companies to promote good practise across a range of industries. Earlier in the year, a successful visit and meeting was held at CT Production from Beacon South West companies.
www.ctproduction.co.uk
www.beaconsw.org.uk | 
