Catalyst Expands Capabilities with Universal's Genesis Platform

Catalyst Manufacturing Services, a full-service contract electronics manufacturer providing engineering, manufacturing, and technical support, has purchased six turn-key production lines from Universal Instruments, including screen printers, reflow ovens and 12 Genesis Platforms, to be installed over their three manufacturing sites located in Endicott, NY (USA), Raleigh, NC (USA), and Tijuana, Mexico. Genesis provides Catalyst a common, state-of-the-art platform approach to replace their existing mixed equipment . It also delivers the inherent flexibility to excel in their higher-mix environment and the advanced technologies to address the increasing complexity of the products they build.

Catalyst has seen a significant increase in business, as well as in the variety of products they're being asked to build. In light of this changing business model, there was a requirement to dramatically retool their existing production lines with an equipment that can offer maximum productivity over this wide range of products without compromising throughput. �The Genesis Platform is truly the perfect foundation for the diverse manufacturing requirements that our customers are facing today,� comments Scott Gerhart, Director Platform Products at Universal. �It offers a unique concept and a new kind of flexibility, making it a high-performance, factory-wide solution from prototyping to volume production. With heads that have the widest overlapping component range between high-speed and flexible machines, Genesis allows manufacturers to simply change the program rather than the line or heads when changing products.�

While the variation in products was a concern for Catalyst, so too was the complexity of some of their products. Genesis features advanced technologies designed to conquer current challenges, as well as emerging and future requirements. Patented VRM (variable reluctance motor) technology with direct drive powers the positioning system and revolutionary Lightning head � the fastest in the industry. �Not only does Genesis technology afford us the confidence to embrace any product we're asked to build,� said Bill Cooper, Vice President at Catalyst, �It also allows us to feature our factory and equipment as a selling tool to potential customers. With the rate at which electronic devices are evolving, this is a distinct advantage.�

Catalyst plans on ramping up production in all three facilities, particularly in the Tijuana plant recently opened in June, 2008. Their current product portfolio ranges from Military/Aerospace, Industrial, Homeland Security, Medical, and Transportation industries, but is not limited to these industry sectors. �We're eager to see what new opportunities our Genesis production lines will present us,� states Bill.

About Universal Instruments:

Universal Instruments is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced automation and assembly equipment solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry. Universal provides complete assembly lines to EMS Providers, ODMs and electronics assemblers around the world, leveraging its portfolio of compatible and flexible equipment platforms that address the diverse requirements of high-speed chip and multifunction placement applications as well as component ion. Universal Instruments is headquartered in Binghamton, NY and operates in over 30 countries, with a support network of over 500 people worldwide.

About Catalyst:

Catalyst Manufacturing Services is a Full Service Contract Manufacturing company with locations in Endicott, NY; Raleigh, NC; and Tijuana, Mexico. Catalyst's offerings include Product Design Assistance, Documentation Development, PCB Assembly and Test, Box Build, Order Fulfillment/Logistics, and Depot Repair Services, all within a standardized equipment and systems platform.