Sanmina-SCI Implements ICON’s Next Generation Planning and Execution Solutions

Increased Order Volume and Supply Chain Complexity in Contract Manufacturing Demand High-Performance Solutions

San Jose, Calif., Dec. 20, 2004. Sanmina-SCI, a leading supplier of integrated design and manufacturing solutions, is extending its partnership with ICON Supply Chain Management by implementing Genesis, ICON’s next generation advanced planning system. Genesis’ high performance planning and execution capabilities allow Sanmina-SCI to excel at high volume, high complexity order fulfilment while minimizing inventory and improving service levels.

In a highly competitive market OEMs (Orignal Equipment Manufacturers) have to focus on their core competences. Outsourcing of more and more business processes is the consequence. As a result contract manufacturers are facing challenges which go far beyond the traditional building and shipping of units. Today OEMs are asking for complete end-to-end services from order routing to material sourcing to product manufacturing and distribution.

Sanmina-SCI has proven to be a reliable partner for OEMs. In order to extend its leading position the contract manufacturer has chosen ICON solutions as enabling technology. “We are asked by our customers to manage high order volumes with increasing complexity in our supply chain while maintaining flexibility in the over-all process and ICON helps us to deliver”, describes Vin Melvin, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Sanmina-SCI, the challenge. “We have been working with ICON for more than two years now. Based on the daily work experience with the software, we know that these tools enable us to deliver a strong performance. And we can count on a team of industry experts who adjust the processes to the business and not vice versa. That is why we intensify our partnership with ICON. Their latest generation of Supply Chain Planning and Execution software provides the flexibility and speed we need to partner even with the most demanding customers.”

The core of the implemented ICON solution is the Genesis Advanced Planning System that enables real time inventory planning and execution as well as available-to-promise and clear-to-build functionalities. In addition, ICON’s supplier collaboration tools create visibility along the whole supply chain. This enables Sanmina-SCI to reduce inventory while maintaining or increasing coverage. Also, SSCI can quickly react to their customers’ changing demands. “This way when the customer asks ‘Can you do that?’ we can confidently answer ‘Yes’”, says Vin Melvin.

With the new Sanmina-SCI project ICON is further strengthening its position in the computer electronics industry. "ICON is quickly becoming the Supply Chain Management solution provider of choice for contract manufacturers", states Michael Keppler Ph.D., CEO of ICON. "We are very pleased to see that the benefits of ICON are being recognized not only by the CMs but also by their OEM customers. The OEMs are acknowledging the value added by CMs utilizing ICON solutions. This is one of the reasons increasingly more CMs are deciding to invest in their future by implementing our technology."