PECM Issue 33 2018 | Page 106

Electronic Components Market Germany (FBDi e.V.) in Million Euro 1,40 1.400 1.200 1.000 1,13 0,98 1,00 1,10 1,00 1,16 1,04 1,11 1,06 1,20 1,00 800 0,80 600 0,60 400 0,40 0,20 200 0 1Q/16 2Q/16 3Q/16 4Q/16 Billings 1Q/17 Bookings 2Q/17 3Q/17 4Q/17 1Q/18 0,00 Book-to-Bill-Ratio Source: FBDi e.V., June 2018 GridBeyond creates new jobs and plans for international expansion. German Component Distribution Sector Defies Challenges White paper explains a new toolmaking technology to cut lead-times GridBeyond, formerly Endeco Technologies, will create close to forty new jobs over the next three years as a part of business growth and planned international expansion. Despite component shortages, the German component distribution market (according to FBDi e.V.) posted further growth during the first quarter of 2018. For the period January to March 2018, the distribution companies organised under the Fachverband Bauelemente Distribution association reported sales of 978 million euros – up 7% compared with Q1/2017. Orders rose 8% to 1.09 billion euros. The order situation remains stable, the book-to-bill ratio of 1.11 (the ratio of orders received to units shipped and billed) remains in the “green” zone. OGM, a specialist in plastic injection moulding, has published an in-depth white paper explaining how a new toolmaking technology can help companies half the lead time for mould tools. GridBeyond, the creator of the world’s first hybrid battery & demand network, leading provider of demand side response services and energy optimisation technologies, is proud to announce its further dynamic growth forecast for the next three years. The company is predicting greater than 100% year to year revenue growth in 2018, having already seen a fivefold revenue increase over the period 2014-2017. GridBeyond’s award-winning client facing portal is also undergoing significant up- grades. www.gridbeyond.com FBDi Chairman of the Board of Directors Georg Steinberger remarked: “The low growth rate for Q1/2018 is largely the result of delays to purchase orders and existing orders caused by the long delivery times affecting numerous components.” www.fbdi.de In 1948, Southern Springs Ltd opened their doors for the first time by founding partners Jack Harman and Richard Fletcher-Jones, they quickly moved the business to a barn in Old Milton and Joseph (Joe) Williams joined the expanding spring manufacturer. In 1989, and on the retirement of the two founder members, Tony Williams took over the running of the business as Chairman. It was at this point that the company widened their manufacturing capability to encompass tool making, the production of metal pressings and wire forms, the spring manufacturing business also embraced new CNC technology. Joe and Richard continued to run the spring manufacturing business over the next 40 years. A new board of Directors were appointed In 2015 with two long serving members of staff taking up senior roles within the company. Tim Page as Managing Director and Steve Blunt as Quality Director. The spring manufacturing business thrived on being particularly well placed to design and manufacture specialist coiling machines for the production of products that could not be made on standard machines of that era. Under their leadership, supported by the new board and 27 dedicated employees, the firm has invested heavily in state of the art highly complex computer controlled machine tools. As the business expanded it became necessary to build a new and more modern factory in its current location in New Milton in 1964. SSP has been taken to new heights, winning major long-term contracts ensuring secure employment and greater company profitability, far removed from its humble beginnings in the late 1940’s. 106 PECM Issue 33 Conventional toolmaking processes can entail a four-month wait between sign-off of a part design and the availability of production components. www.ogm.uk.com [email protected] SOUTHERN SPRINGS AND PRESSINGS CELEBRATE 70 SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF TRADING New Milton based spring manufacturer, Southern Springs and Pressings Ltd have celebrated their 70th anniversary of trading. For products using plastic components, the design and manufacture of injection mould tooling can be a significant bottleneck on the journey from prototype to full market availability. NEWS & EVENTS Tim Page, Managing Director said “We are delighted to celebrate 70 years of trading, the business has grown significantly since opening their doors in 1948. The last few years have seen some huge investment in the factory environment and purchasing of new machines, We are looking forward to developing the business further in 2018 and beyond”. Visit www.southern