Elcoteq Mexico Facility Receives World-Class Level GE Assessment.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 2003

Elcoteq Network Corporation, global provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) for the Communications Technology industry, announced that Elcoteq Americas, Monterrey, Mexico, facility has achieved a World-Class Quality Level based on the GE Quality Assessment. The GE process assessment is a tool for analyzing a company's manufacturing performance level.

GE testing is part of Elcoteq's "Steps to World Class" program. Elcoteq has a Six Sigma quality improvement process in place. The Monterrey team has been mapping the quality milestones since the plant's inception almost five years ago. The main goal has been to achieve World-Class Manufacturing level status, which now has been achieved according to the just completed assessment. Company champion of the team is Saul Vera, who is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt candidate.

Among the categories rated are things such as materials management, data collection and document control, solder stencil printing, automated component placement, functional test, rework and repair, general test, final assembly, and packaging and shipping.

Elcoteq was noted for good manufacturing practices and improvements in a variety of areas. These included preventive maintenance frequency as determined by machine downtimes and maintenance costs, process control, critical process parameters and control limits definition, and process defect tracking. Other areas mentioned were yields in real time and visible in work centers, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) analysis and reporting.

Prior to the assessment, an internal self-assessment is conducted along with individual performance appraisals. Assessments are conducted on an annual basis, with monthly revisions made by the internal team.

"Our vision at the Monterrey plant is to be a World Class Manufacturing company," said Pablo Chapa, quality manager at Elcoteq Monterrey. "Our main drivers are Six Sigma methodology, Probe, and GE assessments. Not only are we focused on these goals and the specific programs to reach them, but more important, we are focused on providing this quality and level of service to our customers."

About Elcoteq Network Corporation

Elcoteq Network Corporation is a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company that focuses on Communications Technology products. Elcoteq ranks among the world's leading EMS providers and is the largest European company in its field. Elcoteq provides end-to-end solutions consisting of design, NPI (new product introduction), manufacturing, supply chain management, and post-sales services for the whole lifecycle of its customers' products. The company operates on three continents in 12 countries and has over 10,000 employees. Elcoteq's consolidated net sales in 2002 totaled approximately 2 billion USD. Elcoteq Network Corporation is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges. For more information contact Bill Coker at 972/401-9995, e-mail [e-mail], or visit the Elcoteq website at www.elcoteq.com.