Nokia, SCI Extend Manufacturing Cooperation

Compiled ByDeborah Austin To further its strategy for meeting worldwide demand, Nokia Networks is expanding its manufacturing cooperation with SCI Systems Inc., a provider of manufacturing and supply-chain services. SCI will acquire Nokia's manufacturing business in Haukipudas, Finland and Camberley, UK. The agreement includes manufacturing know-how, based upon which SCI will establish an engineering services unit to provide services for Nokia and other customers. The cooperation is a natural step in Nokia's networked manufacturing strategy, says Tapio Karjalainen, senior vice president, product operations -- and the units in Haukipudas and Camberley will continue contributing to Nokia's value chain. Mobile communications supplier Nokia Networks -- headquartered in Espoo, Finland -- had fiscal-2000 net sales of EUR 30.4 billion. The $8.3 billion SCI Systems is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.