SatCon Technology Installs Automated Assembly Line for PowerGate Power Conversion System Components
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2000--SatCon Technology Corporation® (NasdaqNM: SATC), a leader in power and energy management products for the distributed power generation and power quality markets, announced today that it has installed the equipment for its automated volume manufacturing line for components for its PowerGate(TM) power conversion systems in its Marlborough, MA Advanced Fuel Cell Power Products facility. The installation is the first milestone is its plan to create high volume manufacturing capacity for distributed power generation products. When fully operational, the line will have the capability to build up to 25,000 PowerGate(TM) power conversion systems as product demand warrants. The Marlborough facility has expansion space so that other lines can be installed as the demand for distributed power generation products increases. Employee operator training has already begun and the line is expected to be fully operational by the end of December 2000.
``We are pleased to accomplish this first in a series of planned steps to establish a fully automated, high volume production line for our PowerGate(TM) power conversion systems,'' said David Eisenhaure, SatCon's President and Chief Executive Officer. ``We believe the distributed power generation market represents a significant potential for SatCon and that our participation in that market requires us to be ready to build power conversion products at a competitive cost. Automated assembly is one of the steps required to achieve both the cost and volume requirements that we believe will be dictated by the marketplace. The facility in Marlborough can also be expanded to include up to 48,000 square feet of automated electronic assembly. Our next step is to begin producing components on the assembly line. The line will be capable of supporting the manufacture of components for our PowerGate(TM) power conversion system, as well as RF Uplinks and other electronic components.''
``This is a significant first step in the commercialization of our power conversion products,'' said Gary Colello, General Manager of Advanced Fuel Cell Power Electronics. ``We are in the process of expanding the capabilities of our existing workforce to include these new automated systems and anticipate additional workforce will be added as we increase demand. One of the reasons we purchased the facility was the immediate availability of a skilled workforce in electronic components manufacturing. We will begin utilizing the line for both power electronics components, such as those used in our PowerGate(TM) system, as well as electronics for telecommunications.''
biz.yahoo.com
Jim |
