The trainee of the Zollner Elektronik AG had been ceremonially honored in Berlin.

Berlin was worth a journey for Ms Kasparbauer since the top-trainees in the different professions were in the limelight. On the 15th of December 2008 the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) awarded this year’s 229 best trainees in the different IHK professional categories.

Among the 330.000 participants in this year’s exams, the honoured 229 top trainees passed their examination with first-class results: 93 young women and 136 young men.

One of the top-trainees was Sonja Kasparbauer who passed her final examination in the apprenticed occupation „electronics engineer for devices and systems“ with the best results nationwide. Ms Kasparbauer served her apprenticeship at the Zollner Elektronik AG in Zandt giving proof of the high education level in both the apprenticing company and the vocational school in Cham. Especially the fact that a young lady reached this excellent result is very pleasant. This high distinction emphasizes the advanced level of the dual vocational training in our region and demonstrates the good prospects for the young people which our local economy offers.

During the last 15 years, the Zollner group has been certified on a regular basis. Also the process-oriented management system is under constant development.

In Ocotber 2008, the recertification audits according to DIN EN ISO 9001 (quality management systems), DIN EN ISO 14001 (environmental management systems), ISO/TS 16949 (quality management in the automotive industry), DIN EN ISO 13485 (medical device quality management system) and EN 9100 (quality management system - aerospace) took place.
As a result of this, our Chinese site in Taicang was integrated into the matrix certification according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

In order to meet the high demands in terms of information security in our company, the certification according to the standard information security management ISO/IEC 27001 was carried out in the German plants for the first time.

The overall impression of the DEKRA-auditors regarding our integrated management system was excellent. The Zollner group received the certification for all standards.

As usual, all the current certificates of the Zollner group are available here.

We would like to thank you for your interest and your visit to our booth during the electronica 2008!

More about electronica 2008.

Data I/O developed and realised an individually adapted application solution for the Zollner Elektronik AG. The large variety of products in the production of the EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) company requires a flexible programming system. Thanks to the PS588, the Zollner Elektronik AG now has a solution which makes it possible to implement the required internal processes and control mechanism in an easy way.

A visual inspection of position and alignment of the components by an integrated 2-D inspection camera guarantees that the goods are treated process-sure in case of taping on reel or repacking.

PS588 marks the components with both a label and a laser marking. This option makes the system more flexible and opens up new possibilites to meet the customers' requirements. The configuration of the system allows the possible combination with all input and/or output medias (tube/tray/tape). In addition, it is possible to use special tube-feeders for tiny components and thus simplify their handling.

Special software tools which monitor and document programming and handling guarantee the process reliabiltiy during the operation. The use of job files in connection with the version control ensures the quality and repeatability of the programming result up to a 100%. Hence, the requirements regarding traceability and a safe data management are met. The very short changeover time and the quick configuration of the system contribute to a maximization of the total system capacity.

A special start of his professional career was granted to Mr. Bernhard Piller who accepted congratulation of company founder Manfred Zollner, CHRO Ludwig Zollner and the personnel officers.

Being the 7000nd employee of the Zollner Elektonik AG he stands for the sound and continuous growth of the company. Since the foundation in 1965 starting with one person, the number of employees has increased constantly, new international production facilities were established and investments in most modern equipment were made. This self-propelling organic growth is only possible with dedicated and motivated employees. Thus we focused on the personnel development subject to the maxim "Investments in employees are investments in the future".

In March, the analysts of the Manufacturing Market Insider (MMI) announced the top 50 of the worldwide EMS providers.

It was a great pleasure for Zollner being ranked no. 12 in the international comparison. This means that the market position moved up by 3 places compared to the last year.

Basis for the ranking was the turnover in 2007, in addition the survey also gives details regarding the number of employees, the production sites and the production area.

Zollner is one of the first European companies which focuses on the new Agilent x-ray inspection system Medalist x6000 in order to further develop its test and inspection possibilities.

Regarding test strategy, the x-ray inspection is an absolute must since the produced complex boards show a large number of connections. In order to be state-of-the-art on the technology sector and to be able to provide the customer with high-quality products, Zollner is continually investing in process improvement.

End of 2007, the Zollner group established its 14th plant in Beja [Tunisia]. This new low cost location is situated in an economically upcoming zone apparelled with highly qualified staff.

The favourable conditions of the region plus its immediate vicinity to Europe were the decisive factors for choosing Tunisia for a location. Start of production for the technological area of inductive components is planned to be in May 2008. 
   

Our endeavour to be one the "best in EMS business" compels us to continuous improvement of our processes and courses of action. Six Sigma provides the necessary prerequisites.

Only by knowing our processes, we are in a position to optimise them with determination. This enables us to differentiate from our competitors and emphasize our strengths.

Six Sigma focuses on making changes transparent and allows an evaluation based on facts and data. By doing so, products and processes can be designed by DFSS [Design for Six Sigma] from the start and late emerging defaults causing unnecessary cost can be avoided.

Zollner continuously develops Six Sigma. The five-years-objectives define the training of a larger number of employees as Green Belts and Black Belts in addition to the already existing Master Black Belts.

After having been recertified successfully, Zollner was awarded with the certificate of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System through the hands of president of district Dr. Kunert on the occasion of a festive celebration on January 30, 2008.

The Occupational Health and Safety Management System according to OHRIS focuses on employees. It aims at safe  working means and ergonomic working places thus clearly putting prevention in the foreground.

Demands are identified beforehand and clarified with the authorities during the planning phase already. Zollner’s integrated management system provides the basis for continuously spotting and realising potentials for improvements for the sake of the employees. Securing corporate success is foremost objective. Zollner’s integrated management system is a basic condition to achieve this aim. Consistent development of the system will ensure good cooperation with customers, suppliers and other partners within the network.

Zollner runs SAP in Germany, Romania and Hungary.

Since June 2007, the complete SAP project team was engaged in implementing the new ERP system in the Hungarian profit centres. The objective of realising the go-live on 2nd of January, 2008 was successfully met. This enables Zollner’s Hungarian employees now to benefit from SAP just the same as their colleagues in Germany and Romania already do.

In the course of matrix certification in 2007 the Zandt, Untergschwandt, Altenmarkt, Furth im Wald, Lam, Neukirchen, Vác and Satu Mare facilities were audited to the following standards:

ISO 9001 | ISO|TS 16949 | EN ISO 13485 | EN 9100 | ISO 14001 | OHRIS

Conclusive audit results in Germany

All audited points, from the management to the organisational units and profit centres, convinced the auditors of their sound work with competent responses to questions and submitted records. There were no observations or deviations.

Successful surveillance audit in Hungary

Besides the international standard ISO 14001:2004 the focus of the four-day audit was the standard of the automotive industry ISO|TS 16949. No deviations were discovered in the audited processes.

Environmental initial certification in Romania

In addition to ISO 9001 and ISO|TS 16949, in October the Romanian ancillary plant was audited for the first time to environmental management standard ISO 14001. The systematic groundwork paid off in the certification audit. No deviations were determined. Now all facilities in the Zollner Group have a certified environmental management system.