ISO/TS 16949 Compliance will Expand Opportunities for Device Programming in
China's Rapidly Growing Automotive Sector
SINGAPORE, Dec. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Avnet Electronics Marketing's
Programming Centre in Singapore has been certified as fully compliant with
the ISO/TS 16949 -- a quality management standard hailed by many as 'the
future for the automotive sector.'
"The ISO/TS 16949 standard is a quality management system specifically
for the automotive sector," said Louis Lam, vice president of logistics,
operations and IT at Avnet Electronics Marketing Asia. "Without possessing
this standard, companies cannot perform value-added services like device
programming for automotive products."
Avnet Electronics Marketing's programming service turns programmable
components into customised devices for specific applications -- whether they
are for small prototype quantities or volume production needs.
The compliance certification, which is valid for three years, was awarded
by Lloyds Register of Quality Assurance (LRQA), one of the world's most
experienced organisations in helping customers use management systems to
improve their businesses.
While Avnet Electronics Marketing's Singapore Programming Centre is the
first Avnet centre in Asia to receive the certificate, others are expected to
mirror the practice, which will result in quicker turnaround for automotive
business and increased customer satisfaction and confidence levels.
"The international standard ISO/TS 16949 was developed to harmonise and
integrate various quality management systems, providing a universal standard
that encompasses all requirements relevant in the automotive industry. It is
set to provide significant benefits to those companies supplying them," said
Lam. "This is a major competitive advantage when you consider that we are on
the doorstep of China and its booming auto industry."
According to research firm Strategy Analytics, automotive semiconductor
revenues are expected to grow from US$13.7 billion in 2003 to US$23.2 billion
in 2008, at an average growth rate of 11.1 per cent per year. The auto
market in Asia, especially in China, is expected to account for a large part
of this growth.
Established in 1985 by the internationally renowned Lloyd's Register and
being a leader in the automotive field, LRQA is one of a select few
recognised by the IATF to provide this certification.
"We are extremely pleased to have received this important accreditation,"
Lam added. "It means that our people are certified to handle the rigorous
requirements and procedures of the automotive industry and, with this sector
growing so rapidly in the region, we are very optimistic that many more
embedded IC producers will want us to program their devices too."
Avnet Electronic Marketing's global infrastructure provides customers
with support from any part of the world. The company opened its Singapore
Programming Centre (PC) in 2001 with a primary role to program ICs in devices
for products in all industrial segments. The Singapore programming centre
employs about 40 people. In addition, the company operates PCs in Shanghai,
Hong Kong, North America, Mexico and Europe.
About Avnet Electronics Marketing
Avnet Electronics Marketing Asia is part of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc.
(NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company with fiscal 2006 sales exceeding USD$14.25
billion. Serving customers in approximately 70 countries, Avnet is one of
the world's largest technology marketing, distribution and services companies.
Avnet Electronics Marketing has a significant presence in Asia-Pacific --
the fastest growing electronics market in the world. With its regional
headquarters in Singapore, the company has 38 locations in 10 countries in
Asia. It distributes semiconductors, interconnect, passive and
electromechanical components to serve a wide range of customers including
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), electronic manufacturing services
(EMS) providers, and small- to medium-sized businesses, and provides
associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The company's web site is
located at http://www.em.avnet.com .
For enquiries on releases by email, please call Rosa Lee at (852) 2537
8022 or send a message to rosa@eba.com.hk .
