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Optical Control Americas Participates in Successful KWA Open House
October 26, 2018 | Optical Control AmericasEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Optical Control Americas, LP, is pleased to announce their recent participation in Kurt Whitlock Associates’ (KWA) three-day open house. The event was a huge success, with the Optical Control OC-SCAN CCX.3 component counter on display, along with several other technologies.
Cassandra Diaz, Mike Holleran, Todd O’Neil, and Kurt Whitlock
Fifteen local Florida EMS companies came to see the CCX counter. Most of the visitors brought their own components including a variety of SMD reels, matrix trays and storage tubes. This provided them with a true “Put on the spot” test with no preparation. They were able to get an accurate glimpse of the real potential for cost savings and how to improve their entire inventory process, ultimately resulting in keeping their SMT lines running with fewer interuptions.
“These types of settings are perfect for showing the capability of our counter,” stated Todd O’Neil, VP of business development at Optical control. “We are able to concentrate specifically on each customer’s needs and help them analyze the best scenario at their company. KWA is one of the best in the business and has been doing this for a long time. Kurt’s customers rely on him and his entire team based on trust, industry knowledge, and years of cooperation. He organizes these events three to five times a year, and we are looking forward to many more.”
Through its 12,400 ft.2 facility in St. Cloud, FL, KWA markets, distributes and demonstrates selected industry-leading technologies and process solutions. KWA’s full service facility is one of the few in the US electronics industry. “Kurt Whitlock Associates’ charter in the Florida electronics market has always been to represent and distribute the absolute best solution for each step in the electronic assembly process. Optical Control’s advanced technology has assured that this 40-year tradition continues,” Whitlock commented.
About Optical Control Americas, LP
Optical Control Americas, LP is part of the Elsysko group, a full-service EMS company, in Weißenohe, Germany and has 180 employees, four SMT lines, and two throughole lines. The company was founded in 2009 and in 2012, optical control GmbH was formed as a sales and service organization for the CCX (component counter X-ray) products. In 2017, Optical Control Americas was started and officially formed in October 2018. For more information, click here.
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