Sanmina-SCI opens plant in Guadalajara

Mexico factory makes computer enclosure systems

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

By GINA HANNAH

Times Business Writer ginah@htimes.com

Sanmina-SCI Corp. said Tuesday it has opened a new 347,000-square-foot plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The completion of the facility gives San Jose-based Sanmina-SCI more than 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space at that location and 2 million square feet of space throughout Mexico, the company said. The Guadalajara plant makes computer enclosure systems.

Mexico President Vicente Fox attended the company's grand opening ceremonies, according to a news release.

Sanmina-SCI, which makes computer and electronics components, has had operations in Mexico for 18 years. During the past several years it has shifted more than 12,000 jobs there from the United States, with other jobs moving to Hungary and other lower-cost locations. About 700 people currently work for Sanmina-SCI, formerly Huntsville-based SCI Systems Inc., down from more than 5,000 five years ago.

For the quarter ended April 2, the company reported a net loss of more than $100 million.

The company said it expects to hire another 600 workers at the Guadalajara plant by the end of 2006.

"The enclosure expansion allows us to meet the growing needs of our customers who want to manufacture their products in this strategic region," said Hossein Saadat, executive vice president of the enclosure systems division. "Customers benefit from lower-cost manufacturing and shortened lead times, plus a comprehensive range of enclosure product development, manufacturing and distribution services with our new facility."

Marco Gonzalez, senior vice president of Mexico operations, said Sanmina-SCI is the largest exporter in the state of Jalisco, building 3,500 different products.

Sanmina-SCI shares, traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol SANM, closed at $4.56, up 2 cents.



Sanmina-SCI opens plant in Guadalajara Mexico factory makes computer enclosure systems Wednesday, June 21, 2006 By GINA HANNAH Times Business Writer ginah@htimes.com Sanmina-SCI Corp. said Tuesday it has opened a new 347,000-square-foot plant in Guadalajara, Mexico. The completion of the facility gives San Jose-based Sanmina-SCI more than 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space at that location and 2 million square feet of space throughout Mexico, the company said. The Guadalajara plant makes computer enclosure systems. Mexico President Vicente Fox attended the company's grand opening ceremonies, according to a news release. Sanmina-SCI, which makes computer and electronics components, has had operations in Mexico for 18 years. During the past several years it has shifted more than 12,000 jobs there from the United States, with other jobs moving to Hungary and other lower-cost locations. About 700 people currently work for Sanmina-SCI, formerly Huntsville-based SCI Systems Inc., down from more than 5,000 five years ago. For the quarter ended April 2, the company reported a net loss of more than $100 million. The company said it expects to hire another 600 workers at the Guadalajara plant by the end of 2006. "The enclosure expansion allows us to meet the growing needs of our customers who want to manufacture their products in this strategic region," said Hossein Saadat, executive vice president of the enclosure systems division. "Customers benefit from lower-cost manufacturing and shortened lead times, plus a comprehensive range of enclosure product development, manufacturing and distribution services with our new facility." Marco Gonzalez, senior vice president of Mexico operations, said Sanmina-SCI is the largest exporter in the state of Jalisco, building 3,500 different products. Sanmina-SCI shares, traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol SANM, closed at $4.56, up 2 cents. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.