DEK Expands Stencil Manufacturing Franchise

Building on its comprehensive base of global stencil manufacturing operations, DEK has recently expanded its stencil franchise through a partnership with Mexican-based equipment representative and stencil franchisee, InterLatin. The DEK-InterLatin Reynsoa, Mexico stencil manufacturing facility � the partners' third operation in the Mexican region � officially opened in March of this year to serve the burgeoning Reynosa region, which is home to many leading EMS and OEM firms.

The DEK stencil franchise philosophy ensures that manufacturing is strategically positioned to serve local customers with the most advanced stencil production equipment, quick turnaround capabilities, superior personalized service and technical expertise. All DEK stencil franchise operations, though locally owned and operated, are fully supported by DEK quality standards, authorized manufacturing equipment, training and customer support. This �copy exact� approach offers customers a proven footprint that delivers repeatability in stencil manufacturing.

�Franchising the DEK stencil manufacturing methodology to partners in various regions across the Americas has effectively enabled us to expand our technology footprint, while allowing customers to manage their business locally,� explains DEK Global Manager for Engineered Products, David Byrd. �It really is a win-win: superior quality, on-time delivery and technical expertise are all consistently delivered as per DEK standards, while customers enjoy the 'down the street' mindset that comes with a local manufacturing relationship.�

Achieving DEK franchise status requires that prospective franchisees undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure that stencil quality and consistency are achieved with DEK's proven processes and procedures. Training is carried out by DEK stencil manufacturing experts, DEK authorized stencil manufacturing equipment is used and ongoing audits are conducted to monitor product quality and manufacturing protocols.

DEK stencil franchisees are also licensees of the company's multi-award-winning VectorGuard� stencil system, a frame and foil tensioning design that is now arguably recognized as the industry's superior stencil technology. VectorGuard's ease of use, improved print quality, high yield performance and reduced storage requirements are all advantages for customers and offerings exclusive to DEK VectorGuard licensees.

With the addition of the InterLatin Reynosa facility, there are now three DEK stencil franchises and two DEK-operated stencil manufacturing sites in the Americas, with more planned franchise openings later this year. DEK's global stencil network also includes DEK-owned and franchise-operated manufacturing sites in Europe and Asia, providing multi-national customers with worldwide stencil engineering team to facilitate technology transfer requirements in virtually any region globally. For complete information on the range of DEK stencil products offered and site-specific details, log onto http://www.dek.com.

About DEK

DEK is a global provider of advanced materials deposition technologies and support solutions including printing equipment platforms, stencils, precision screens and mass imaging processes used across a wide range of applications in electronics pre-placement subassembly, semiconductor wafer manufacture, and alternative energy component production. For more information, visit DEK at http://www.dek.com.