Adding value to high-tech PCBs Aspocomp

Aspocomp is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced, HDI printed circuit boards. The company focuses on developing products for high-end applications such as mobile devices and telecommunication networks. Following investments in new technology, and a major restructuring programme, the company is now in a strong position to increase its market share and expand its global reach as Philip Yorke reports.

ADDING VALUE TO HIGH-TECH PCBS

Aspocomp was formed as a result of a series of small acquisitions by an electronics arm of the multi-faceted business company: Aspo plc. After achieving significant growth in the late 1990s it became listed as a separate corporate identity. Technical milestones included the manufacture of the world’s first Teflon PCB and the first laser- produced PCB. Today the Aspocomp Group remains a leading producer of advanced PCBs in Europe. It offers extremely fast deliveries for all prototype, ramp-up and exceptional PCB needs. The Aspocomp Group is a leading global player in the PCB market with over 3500 employees and a turnover of more than €21 million.

Aspocomp has subsidiaries and affiliate companies in Finland, Sweden, Germany, India, China and Thailand. The company’s main manufacturing plants are located in Finland, China, India and Thailand. It leads the field in the production of high density interconnection (HDI) PCBs with multiple stacked build-up layers, as well as complex, high-frequency circuit boards and PCBs with component cooling features. From its modern plant in Finland the company is able to offer first class technical capabilities with fast prototype and small series deliveries, backed by its comprehensive laminate material portfolio.

New lean strategy

Recently Aspocomp announced strong sales in the first half of 2014 with deliveries slowing a little in the second half. As part of the company’s sharpened strategy to become more efficient and to improve customer services, it took the strategic deci-

sion to centralise its R&D and manufacturing facilities at its Oulu plant in Finland.

“Under this renewed strategy Aspocomp focuses on improved services and closer cooperation with customers. We strive to make every effort to facilitate and assist our customers with optimised technology solutions and printed circuit board supplies, by utilising cost-effective and competitive, high-volume production lines in Asia.

“High-speed design, short lead times, flexible production and customised products are characteristic features of our R&D series. These products will be mainly delivered from Finland, where we will continue to invest in, develop and maintain the latest and most demanding production technology.

“Customer base expansion has been our main focus since 2014 and will reduce our dependence on individual customers and market segments. Acquisition of new customers will continue to play the key role in the future and our goal is to build a more diversified and demand-stable customer base over the next few years,” said Mikko Montonen, Aspocomp’s CEO.

Value-added trading services

Aspocomp markets and manufactures a range of advanced high-density interconnection HDI-PCBs and also offers a wide selection of design and logistics services. This is in addition to high-volume trading services and value-added customer programmes. The company’s main customer base includes businesses involved in the design and manufacture of telecom systems, industrial and automotive electronics and healthcare systems.

Aspocomp’s PCB trading services include a selection process for identifying the most suitable high-volume manufacturer and the provision of technical specifications of the product, as well as a wide range of quality assurance and logistics services. This unique combination of value-added features enables Aspcomp’s customers to cost-effectively buy their PCBs from a single provider over the entire life-cycle of their product.

Innovative technology

From its state-of-the-art facility in Oulu, Aspocomp maintains its position as a leading global player offering advanced, complex PCBs to some of the world’s biggest OEMs. These include Continental Automotive, Erricsson, Incap, Nokia, Siemens Networks, Teleste and Wabco. A continuing programme of R&D

investment has resulted in a new generation of innovative products in focus areas such as HDI with multiple stacked build-players, high layer count multi-layers, RF applications and metal-back heat sink PCBs. Further investments have also been made in the company’s laser imaging capabilities.

In addition to its culture of quality and technological innovation, the company also excels when it comes to production speed and is probably the fastest producer of advanced PCBs in Europe. The scale and scope of the company’s facilities at Oulu, Finland also enable it to offer customers short lead times and faster turnaround.

Eco friendly production

Aspocomp has always prided itself on its care for the environment and its eco-friendly manufacturing processes. The company is committed to continuously reducing any adverse environmental impacts by cutting emissions, conserving natural resources and using the best available and economically viable technologies. The environmental compliance of all the company’s plants is managed with an ISO 14001 certified system.

Aspocomp can also supply its customers with detailed material reports that itemise the chemical elements and compounds used in each PCB. The company is also a pioneer in the processing of PCB materials suitable for lead-free soldering. In order to achieve and maintain these high environmental standards, the company trains its employees regularly and works in constant collaboration with its customers, the authorities and stakeholders. Aspocomp believes in ethical conduct throughout all of its operations and places great importance on creating manufacturing facilities that are ecologically sound. n

For further details of Aspocomp’s advanced innovative products and services visit: www.aspocomp.com