Microtronix Manufacturing (Microtronix) has a history dating back to 1993 when it was established by Michael and Louise Goodyer as an electronics contract manufacturing business. From small beginnings the company has successfully grown significantly over the years and in July last year moved into a new custom-built premises in Strydom Park, Randburg.

The manufacturing and assembly area has some 3500 m² of floor space and has been uniquely designed in a circular layout where product only moves forward. The company is still privately-owned by the Goodyers with Michael acting as managing director and Louise the financial director. The staff complement has risen to more than 135 highly trained people, who are regularly trained to keep up to date with new technology and equipment and any changes in the industry.

Michael Goodyer

When it was formed, the main business of the company was the supply of populated PCBs for the smartcard reader, cashless gaming and vending industry, but more recently, the activities have been expanded to include electronics for the GSM cellular, mining, aerospace and defence, automotive, security, display (including LED screen assemblies) and other industrial and commercial industries. The facility is certified to ISO 9001:2000 and its high level of quality has seen it get continued repeat business from the local electronics industry as well as companies in the UK, USA and Japan. Despite the strong rand, this business continues to grow mainly as a result of customer satisfaction with the delivered product. Those customers who have visited the Microtronix facilities know exactly what the company's capabilities are.

In terms of the service provided to the customer, Microtronix is flexible. Its procurement department can source everything from PCB boards to components and connectors, and here, pricing is very attractive as a result of the high-volume purchasing power. The customer, on the other hand, can supply kits of components and the PCB, or any other combination, such as supplying high value critical components, with Microtronix supplying resistors, capacitors and diodes. Microtronix holds a large stock of a wide range of commonly-used lower value devices as well as customer-specific items. A well laid-out kitting room is used to sort out the various kits.

An exploration of the premises is very informative as to how the process, quality and productivity are maintained. The factory itself has an anti-static fully-dissipating floor and clever use of both underfloor and roof insulation ensures comfortable temperature control year round. The factory is well lit, with the use of natural light and a multitude of super white phosphor tube fittings providing a white almost clinical environment.

There are three SMD production lines, all using Yamaha gantry-type pick-and-place machines, the latest addition being a Yamaha YV 100XTg. This is the fastest line with a capability of around 25 000 components per hour. The second line is used for medium to high volume runs and is mainly used for high technology products. The third line is made up of two Yamaha YV 100X pick-and-place machines. This line can be split up to work on two jobs simultaneously or it can be used to double up for high volume production. Most of the small runs, including prototypes, are run on line 3. In total, the SMD department has a capacity of around 45 000 SMD parts per hour. Each line has a dedicated reflow oven with the main line equipped for nitrogen reflow. Although the company is still using leaded components, the demands of its export customers will be met later this year with a conversion to lead-free technology. The current reflow ovens already have this capability.

Microtronix' unique advantage over many of its competitors is that it has two fully-automated Universal Instruments axial and radial insertion machines to insert conventional components. Microtronix can provide bed-of-nail testers and other test fixtures for specific PCBs, while coating of the PCBs is done using an automatic conformal coating machine, which is programmed for each product so as to provide a precision spray valve coating that avoids connectors and other no-go areas. An environmental chamber is also available to ensure that military PCBs, for example, can meet the required extreme temperature specifications. For those customers that want their PCBs washed to provide an absolute 'no-flux finish', a special PCB-cleaning machine is used at this stage.

With its combination of equipment and skills Microtronix is a world-class turnkey electronics contract manufacturer. Its ability to sell its products into First World markets is a true indication of the company's quality and pricing and it has the ability to greatly increase throughput by introducing extra shifts. Another major benefit for customers is that the company regularly works with its customers, advising them how best to industrialise their products both for efficient manufacturing techniques as well as to meet the rigorous military and IPC610c specifications, while its expertise in the assembly of LED array devices is probably unique in this country.

There is no doubt that customer service, total commitment to quality and the investment in best-of-breed assembly and test equipment are core to the company's success and continued growth.

On a personal note from the MD, Mike Goodyer: "I would sincerely like to thank all our customers and suppliers for their support and loyalty over the past years. We look forward to serving you, our customers, in the years to come as your partner in manufacturing. A thank you also, to my loyal and dedicated staff who have followed my vision for this company over the past 12 years."