Contax Announces an Excellent 2007

Speedline: Sales Doubled

Omron: Over 50 Percent Tier One Automotive Electronic Assemblers

Contax Ltd - UK

13 December 2007

Production automation system specialist, Contax Ltd, has announced double digit percent growth over 2006 on sales and machine installations.

Omron AOI sales have been especially healthy with over 50 percent of Tier One automotive electronic assemblers now relying on Omron for optical inspection. Overall, it is estimated that Omron machines account for nearly a third of all UK installed AOI systems.

Sales of Speedline dispensing and printing equipment have also doubled year on year, and Komax wire processing systems have continued to dominate the market.

Explaining the secret of Contax’s success, Managing Director, Mike Rapson said, “The market has certainly been buoyant in 2007, and we have been able to take advantage of this with our large portfolio of world-class products. We now promote systems from the leading suppliers including Universal, Speedline, Essemtec, phoenix|x-ray, Omron and Komax.

He continued, “We have seen an amount of business returning to the UK from China, in both PCB assembly and cable preparation sectors. This is because the speed of turn-around and the escalating shipping costs have ensured that automated production in the UK is a more cost-effective and flexible proposition.

“When you are working in a fast-moving environment, it can take too long to align the production flow when you are dealing with the Far East. And, of course, you have far more control and flexibility with on-site production.

In terms of specific suppliers, Contax has recently added Universal Systems to its portfolio. Commented Mike, “This has created a great deal of interest as many manufacturers are looking at larger systems because of the increased feeder count, throughput and accuracy”.

Reviewing sales in each sector, Mike continued, “Speedline is another range that has worked well for us in 2007, and we have doubled the level of business compared with 2006. Our larger customers are looking for well-built, more flexible machines, and we have had a lot of demand for the Camalot dispensing and MPM printing ranges”.

He continued, “A large proportion of all installed AOI systems are now manufactured by Omron. Indeed, 2007 has seen us replace a number of competitive systems with the latest Omron machines. Previously, there was just a promise of process improvement in the industry, but now the new Omron technology really does deliver this and provide tangible results to improve production.

“With x-ray inspection, phoenix|x-ray is rightly seen as leading the field in innovative technology. Its products are superb, and the Company is constantly driven to improvements in image quality and automatic software”.

He added, “Essemtec has always proved a sound choice for smaller, mid range and entry level, systems. The FLX series is always popular, and we have sold the first FLX2020 system”.

In summation, Mike said, “We have created a good platform for 2008’s continued growth. Contax can now offer a wide range of systems spanning from PCB assembly to wire preparation, and within that, we have the largest selection of world-leading products to suit smaller, niche, manufacturing facilities through to large, high volume, production lines. We are optimistic and quietly confident about the future,” he concluded.