-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Centurion Safety Partners with Vanilla Electronics to Meet Increased Demand for Powered Respirators
May 5, 2021 | Vanilla Electronics LtdEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
When demand for Centurion Safety’s Concept Air powered respirator soared during the coronavirus pandemic, they turned to trusted supply partner and Thetford neighbour, Vanilla Electronics, to help meet the surge in demand.
British safety products manufacturer, Centurion Safety, has been manufacturing above-the-neck PPE, including respiratory protection systems, in Thetford, Norfolk, for over 100 years. Their products are used in many manufacturing environments to protect workers against exposure to dust, fumes and vapours.
Once the coronavirus pandemic took hold, workers, from doctors on the front line to dentists and veterinary practitioners, were looking to upgrade their respiratory protection and demand for powered respirators increased by +423%. Centurion Safety needed to dramatically increase their production capacity in order to meet this demand and help keep critical workers safe.
Vanilla Electronics has been supplying Centurion Safety with electronic components and PCB assemblies for the Concept Air range and are experts in providing technical supply chain services that can be fully customised to help manufacturers rapidly scale their businesses.
As part of this project, Centurion worked with Vanilla Electronics to upgrade the internal powered air componentry and software, as well as redesigning the PCB layout. This redesign enabled them to manufacture in volume. Vanilla also risk-bought long lead time parts to improve delivery and the time to market of the final product. Meanwhile a sophisticated stock management system has enabled Vanilla to manage free issue inventory from Centurion, alongside Vanilla Procured Parts (VPP).
Once Vanilla completes the initial assembly work, Centurion takes over the production for the final assembly and product testing. This outsource of the PCB and mechanical assembly to a semi-finished state has enabled Centurion to drastically increase capacity, whilst maintaining high levels of quality.
The partnership has enabled Centurion Safety to increase production during the peak demand to keep a wide range of professionals safe during the pandemic. Many of these workers had never worn a powered respirator before the coronavirus outbreak but were pleasantly surprised by how easy and comfortable the Concept Air is to wear and how quickly and efficiently Centurion were able to supply the product during a global pandemic.
Quote from Centurion:
“Our partnership with Vanilla has been a huge success and has enabled us to meet, with ease, the dramatic increase in demand for powered respirators during the pandemic. We are extremely proud that with Vanilla Electronics’ support we were able to ramp up production so quickly and efficiently, playing a critical role in keeping the nation safe.”
Vanilla and Centurion continue their close relationship, collaborating on new and existing technology products.
Suggested Items
SPEA Expands in Southeast Asia with New Subsidiary in Thailand
05/17/2024 | SPEASPEA, a global leader in automatic test equipment for the manufacturing of semiconductor, microelectronic and electronic devices, today announced the opening of its new subsidiary in Thailand. This expansion marks a significant step forward in SPEA's commitment to serving the growing Southeast Asian microchip and electronics market with leading-edge manufacturing machinery and equipment.
Indium Corporation to Showcase Sustainable Solutions for Power Electronics at PCIM
05/17/2024 | Indium CorporationAs one of the leading materials providers to the power electronics assembly industry, Indium Corporation® will proudly showcase a selection of innovative products at PCIM Europe, June 11-13, in Nuremberg, Germany.
Siemens, Foxconn Team Up to Optimize Forward-thinking Manufacturing
05/16/2024 | FoxconnSiemens AG, a leading technology company, and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive digital transformation and sustainability in smart manufacturing platforms.
IPC Releases May 2024 Global Sentiment of the Electronics Supply Chain Report
05/16/2024 | IPCSentiment among electronics manufacturers fell this month, after hitting a new high in April. Despite the decline, sentiment remains historically high according to IPC’s May Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.
Sypris Reports Q1 2024 Results; Revenue Up 10%
05/15/2024 | Sypris Solutions Inc.The Company’s first quarter 2024 consolidated revenue increased 10.1% to $35.6 million compared with the prior-year quarter, representing the 11th quarter of double-digit year-over-year growth during the past 12 quarterly periods.