Partnership Creates Order To Direct Ship Model For Communications-Equipment Customers

Compiled ByDeborah Austin Technology systems supplier NMS Communications, Framingham, Mass., and Plexus Corp., Neenah, Wis. -- provider of design/manufacturing/testing services to the electronics industry -- have launched an outsourcing manufacturing agreement to create and manage a supply chain for communications equipment suppliers, carriers and network operators who use NMS-provided printed circuit assemblies and sub-assemblies. NMS is immediately transitioning product supply, circuit pack manufacturing and customer order fulfillment to Plexus, expecting to begin volume production/order fulfillment in fourth-quarter 2002. Plexus and NMS anticipate controlling all aspects of the supply chain through a direct link between MRP (material requirements planning) systems and online management tools. Plexus also will contribute more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes to the mix, says NMS, which has tackled design changes to boost its own products' energy efficiency.