Sale of Eastern Facilities Signals the End for ACW International

After sale of UK manufacturing operations in December 2012, ACW seeks a buyer for Western-run operations in South China tech cluster Zhuhai

SOUTHAMPTON, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACW International has today put-up for sale its Western-run manufacturing facility and purchasing operations in South China. The move comes just weeks after most of its UK arm, ACW Technology, was sold to TT electronics.

“In a notoriously difficult environment for Western businesses to establish themselves, these Chinese companies could save a buyer at least three years in establishing operations of such complexity. The facilities in our Zhuhai operation are comparable to top OEMs and global contract manufacturers, and we anticipate a fast sale.”

Established in 1989, the British-born independent contract electronics manufacturer (CEM) had expanded rapidly into international regions over recent years. The company suffered serious losses in 2012 after a significant proportion of its customer base was hit by the economic downturn.

As the company winds down, its international assets are being sold. Those announced today comprise its facilities in South China that were established as part of ACW’s international expansion in 2006; a turnkey electronics manufacturing facility in Zhuhai and its international purchasing operations in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The Zhuhai manufacturing facility was previously turning-over product volumes up to $20m per annum, with full box build, test and diagnosis capabilities for aerospace, security and broadcast markets. It is an unusual proposition in its entirely Western management and standards.

ACW International’s US operations have also closed and the associated assets will be put up for auction in February.

Chris Woods, Founder of ACW International, commented, “In a notoriously difficult environment for Western businesses to establish themselves, these Chinese companies could save a buyer at least three years in establishing operations of such complexity. The facilities in our Zhuhai operation are comparable to top OEMs and global contract manufacturers, and we anticipate a fast sale.”

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Notes to editors

For more than 23 years, ACW International has been an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider delivering a complete product manufacturing and logistics service to customers from its sites in Europe, North America and Asia.

The company serves commercial, industrial, aerospace, defence, security and other markets with its knowledge of digital, analogue and RF and mechanical disciplines. Complex, technically advanced, products are manufactured, tested and configured into systems, then packaged and shipped direct around the globe from ACW International factories.

www.acwinternational.com