Shirai boosts printed circuit board production in Asia
As the Asia-Pacific inches towards becoming the leader in the global printed circuit board (PCB) industry over the next few years, Japanese PCB manufacturer Shirai Electronics Industrial anticipates growing consumer demand with improved production facilities and fresh products.
The company is committed to upgrading its key overseas production hub in China, where the electronic information industry is experiencing the fastest growth and output. The Chinese market for PCBs exceeded HK$300 billion in 2012.
"Our strategy for our Zhuhai plant is to streamline it further to enable it to produce products of higher quality in a larger volume," says Jinsho Kojima, president and chief operating officer. "We expect further growth especially in the automobile industry, so we are trying to prepare ourselves for increased business opportunities to cater to those changes."
Established in 1970, Shirai produces PCBs used in a wide range of products, including flat-panel television sets, air conditioners, computers and in-vehicle parts. The company has globalised manufacturing operations through factories across China, Japan and Southeast Asia, and scored a turnover of US$229 million last year.
Shirai serves a diverse range of industries, including automobiles, consumer electronics, control equipment and communication devices, apart from producing multilayered, high-performance and environment-friendly PCBs.
In addition, Shirai provides innovative solutions in printed wiring board (PWB) inspection systems. Shirai's VISPER automated visual inspection system allows PWB manufacturers to maintain the highest level of reliability and quality.
In March this year, Shirai launched a transparent and flexible PCB, which can be attached to light-emitting diodes. It also presented a double-sided copper pin PCB board, which significantly reduces heat. Shirai hopes to introduce these products in Asia.
"Our key to success is having diverse customers in different sectors," Kojima says. "By diversifying, we are less inclined to be impacted by the cyclic changes in our industry."
Shirai Electronics Industrial
www.shiraidenshi.co.jp