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The appointment of a new CE-marking manager reflects how IES is building on 16 years’ expertise in CE marking and testing. With continued legal requirements for CE compliance, Martin Wood and IES face exciting challenges – not least in educating manufacturers about the importance of integrating CE certification into the earliest stages of product development…

CE Mark

In February 2012, IES appointed a new CE-marking manager. Martin Wood. Martin brings 20 years’ EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) experience in testing and fault rectification to IES. He joins the engineering services specialist from one of the UK’s leading EMC testing houses.

Joining a leading CE certification specialist

Martin’s appointment reinforces IES’s position in CE compliance, a legal requirement for all products sold in the European Union (EU). The CE mark indicates compliance with the European minimum safety standards.

Martin’s responsibilities include in-house EMC testing (IES provides both in-house and site test capability) and maintenance of LVD (Low Voltage Directive) and safety requirements. Martin will support customers who need CE testing for the EU marketplace. In particular, he’ll communicate the vital message that suppliers must integrate CE Testing into manufacturing and supply-systems early to avoid the costs and difficulties of later rectification.

Part of an integrated range of engineering services

IES became involved with CE marking in 1996 as a requirement of its core business – import and export of equipment in Europe. With this CE certification expertise, it was a logical progression to offer the service to any requirement. It was a good business decision; the subsequent growth of CE marking, EMC testing and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) testing has proved to be a successful revenue generator. The company’s range of CE-related services now mirrors its top-level one-stop-shop offer for a wide range of complementary engineering services.

On-site EMC Testing

Describing what differentiates his company, managing director Niels Morch says: ‘As well as in-house EMC testing, we offer a much more flexible approach to CE testing for customers. For example, we tackle problem solving, remedial measures and design-for-compliance as well as testing – not everyone does. Our proven collaborative approach means we can assist with elements of certification or handle all aspects of testing and compiling Technical Construction Files (TCFs) to save customers time and money.’

Problem solving – not just CE testing

‘What’s more,’ Morch continues, ‘we can save customers from themselves by showing them why CE marking must never be left to the last minute. CE certification should always be designed into product development, along with EMC and other safety measures. If a company manufactures 50,000 widgets, and later finds they don’t comply, that’s a costly oversight!’

Years of experience have shown IES that it’s never too early to seek advice on CE marking and its implications. But with so much at stake, what should manufacturers look for in their CE marking partner? Top of Martin Wood’s list is being able to solve problems rather than just test. ‘Companies should also pick a partner that can help them avoid later test failures by working with them from product conception.’

The future of CE certification and testing

According to Wood, the challenge CE certification will remain important for suppliers to the EU. ‘Expect more harmonisation and a much more global face to CE marking too. Take the USA for instance: at present, they use the CE immunity standards as a baseline for EMC because they have none of their own!

Radiated Emissions Test

‘Smart businesses will prepare for the future by complying with CE certification requirements to ensure unhindered free trade. An experienced partner, such as IES, will help. When legislation changes and retesting is required, we’ll keep in touch and advise on the requirements. As my appointment demonstrates, IES is consolidating its strong position by investing in the equipment, manpower and skills needed to keep it up to date with in-house and on-site testing. As a senior projects/EMC engineer with many years’ experience testing and rectifying equipment and on-site facilities, it’s an exciting time to integrate my knowledge with the successful IES CE testing team.’

With value, quality and performance as important as ever for export packing, Bristol-based IES brought together a trio of UK exporters to discuss wooden crates, global export markets and what makes a great export packing partner.

Clean Room Packing

Today’s specialised export packing demands more than just the ability to make decent wooden crates. Packing and protecting of delicate, high-value equipment is one of the integrated engineering services offered by UK-based IES since 1991. Keen to get the views of export packing users, IES interviewed three UK-based exporters about their experiences and the outlook for export markets…

The three businesses were Flexifill, based near Bristol (liquids packaging machines), SPTS in South Wales (semiconductor production equipment) and IEM Technologies in Somerset (effluent treatment plant for compound semiconductor and related markets). From bespoke crates to CE Marking, each customer has its unique requirements, yet shares the need for high-quality export packing and reliable professional advice. That’s where IES comes in, with services ranging across fulfilment, export packing, case making and international logistics.

Still-buoyant export markets

The majority of business for these companies is overseas, and all reported buoyant markets – notwithstanding any uncertainties about the Chinese and other economies.

Secure wooden bracing to stop lateral movement

As for the future, Flexifill anticipates stricter standards for heat-treated packaging, security-led tightening of specifications and changes to waterproofing and sign-off requirements. IEM foresees rising costs and owner, Peter Codman says: ‘Airfreight is very expensive compared to 10 years ago – what cost under £1000 then costs more than twice as much now. Surface shipping is more economical, but lead times are critical. Whatever the future brings, value and performance of wooden packaging will be more important than ever – along with the right choice of export packing partner to provide them’

Cheap wooden packaging is rarely the answer

Asked about the special challenges of export packaging, all three highlighted the importance of an experienced, reliable export-packing partner – and mentioned the potentially high direct and indirect costs of damage in transit. According to the interviewees, cheapness was rarely an advantage. What was universally popular, was having a partner who could be entrusted to manage the process, thereby taking the worry from the manufacturer and freeing them to get on with other business activity.

Export crate specialists

Bespoke Wooden Packaging

Specialist capability came to the fore again when the trio discussed their most challenging projects: Flexifill owner, Malcolm Shipway says: ‘For us, it’s often contracts with very specific packing specs and those where we have to send multiple equipment orders.’

Mike Hewlett, vice president of manufacturing at SPTS Technologies, recalled the challenge when faced with the unique size and weight of an ion beam deposition (IBD) system: ‘IES’s expertise with wooden crating was invaluable for the first article, and they advised on bespoke crate design and special loading equipment.’

High-value equipment must be treated with special care for export. With anything for the semiconductor industry, or similar hi-tech industries, there’s the added constraint of packing and moving in clean environments. Faced with this, there’s no substitute for an export-packing partner with extensive experience of the semi-con sector. Even better, one of the few export-packing businesses that are also used to doing turnkey factory and machinery relocations for the advanced technologies sector.

‘We like flexibility in an export packaging partner’

‘That’s what we really like about IES,’ says Peter Codman. ‘Flexibility, a genuinely can-do attitude and 20 years’ experience in our industry – they probably know the semiconductor industry better than us and understand all the standards required. It’s hugely reassuring and saves us so much time because we can just let them get on with everything knowing they’ll do it correctly.’

Secure Wooden Crates

Malcolm Shipway agrees: ‘A firm like IES knows all the answers; from pack-on-site work to door-to-door pick-up and shipping in wooden crates, we employ them for their knowledge, expertise and solid reputation.’

What sets the best export packers apart?

So what sets the best export packing firms apart from the also-rans? All three interviewees emphasised the obvious point about getting product to where it should be, on time, and in the condition it left the UK. They all recalled cases – not from IES – where a poor-quality wooden packing case failed and led to costly in-transit damage. Wasteful, unnecessarily expensive, environmentally-unfriendly over-packing also happens! Clearly, one of the industry’s secrets is achieving the perfect balance between cost and protection.

‘Cheap wooden crates are a false economy’

Speaking after the interviews, Niels Morch, IES managing director, thanked all the interviewees and said: The messages they gave us bear out our own experience – and gave us useful ideas for service improvements. We’ve seen the results of poor quality packaging solutions on many occasions – too often it’s a false economy. It was also interesting to hear positive views on our own staff, our wealth of industry knowledge and resourcefulness.

‘We’re as aware as anyone that challenging times lie ahead. Whatever happens, we’ll draw confidence from growing through previous recessions. From an ISPM 15 wooden crate to bespoke logistics solutions, whenever specialist export packing or other engineering services are needed, we’re here – with cost-effective, carefully-engineered solutions that give customers such as Flexifill, SPTS Technologies and IEM Technologies value and complete peace of mind.’

As its turnover, expertise and technical capability grows for another year, UK-based IES carefully balances growth with sustainable future development in specialist engineering services as well as existing operating fields such as national and international factory relocation and export packing. 

As IES builds on its factory and equipment relocation capabilities with other specialised equipment services, the UK-based company has enjoyed growth of 17 per cent in turnover and 14 per cent in non-subcontract employees since 2010. As Bristol-based IES celebrates 20 years in specialised engineering services, this growth accompanies a maturing business with a refreshing openness about the secrets of its achievements. Such candour speaks volumes about the company’s confidence, strength and technical capability. And with success (but never complacency) come useful pointers for other growth-hungry businesses…

For IES, 2010–11 saw more project work, more factory relocation and more customers seeking total solutions that draw on the company’s range of services – and its massive accumulated expertise and technical capability. As the business enters a third decade, its capabilities range from single machine relocations to CE marking, hi-tech machinery movement, export packing and engineering programme management. Underpinning the growth is an unwavering commitment to seek and develop new capabilities that complement its core skills. This isn’t growth from a low base either, as IES’s annual turnover now exceeds £6m. Nor is it haphazard. Instead, it’s carefully staged for the sustained future growth that will be vital for continued success over the next 20 years.

Success secrets in factory relocation and related services

IES customers are as diverse as a worm-farm supplier and multinational semiconductor wafer manufacturers. While the economy’s current malaise undoubtedly helps, years of accumulated expertise and technical capability mean IES is positioned to succeed in good times or bad. When times are hard, companies streamline, resize and outsource more. But with a buoyant economy, demand for outsourced engineering staff, machinery movement and facility relocations increases for different reasons.

‘The professionalism of IES’

With its proven mix of expertise, hard work and the right people in the right places, IES is more than just an ‘ambulance chaser’ in hard times. Indeed, its various engineering services make a life or death difference for customers. IES is undoubtedly doing lots right, as reflected in customer comments such as one from Grahame Brookes at Qioptiq who said, ‘Great job well done, I knew I could rely on the professionalism of IES’

A maturing business focused on sustainable growth

Describing the last year, IES Managing Director, Niels Morch says: ‘Although the business has grown, we like to think of it as more of a maturing as we master and deploy fresh approaches to equipment relocations. And new skills in pursuit of sustainable growth in specialised engineering services.  We’ve always worked hard and listened carefully to customers’ expectations before consistently meeting and exceeding them.

‘An important lesson for any growing business is that we’re very good at learning from one industry (such as semiconductors, where we’ve always done factory relocation), then transferring that expertise to another (such as pharmaceuticals). We integrate with customers’ philosophies, help them save money and invest in the long-term relationship. Many businesses claim to do this but we achieve it, as reflected in our long working partnerships with multinational organisations in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and other industries. And of course, high quality service and competitive pricing helps.’

Supporting factory relocation customers and the economy

Continued growth at IES has been good for the local economy in various ways, including demand for materials the company uses and creation of more jobs at its Bristol site. Since 2010, IES has added five full-time employees, bringing its team (excluding subcontractors) to 40. Ashley Payne, one of the newest recruits, brings extensive experience in machinery movement, as well as in crane hire and logistics.

As well as opportunities with an undoubted leader in its field, if there’s one thing all IES employees are guaranteed, it’s variety. The comments of long-time IES engineer Dave Kilvington say it all: ‘IES works in all sorts of interesting industries and I’m kept very busy. No job is the same; working for IES and its customers is very varied.’

A great time to join IES in Bristol

For the latest recruits, it’s a great time to join IES. Niels Morch again: ‘We’re outperforming the sector due to our flexibility, technical capabilities and high quality people. And we’re bucking the general economic trend too.’ Asked to elaborate, he explains: ‘I guess not being reliant on any specific industry is important – and a valuable lesson to other businesses, regardless of their operating area. We’ve also taught ourselves to excel at learning and re-applying knowledge and technical expertise in areas as diverse as business relocation, export packing and inventory management. And, uniquely in our field, we work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users.‘

Into the future

From equipment installations to import-export intricacies, the next year’s outlook continues positive, with further staged growth through existing services and more carefully selected value added services. The emphasis will continue to be on managed growth that’s sustainable in the future. It will be growth based on robust systems and carefully designed infrastructure – but never with the luxury of resting on laurels.

Niels Morch has the final word: ‘Creativity and resourcefulness gives us flexibility to deliver professional solutions for customers’ needs. Add our continued infrastructure development and we believe we have the right mix for sustainable growth in factory relocation, engineering resource support or any of our current or future specialised engineering services’

When they installed an Axcelis NV10-160 ion implanter, two specially sourced IES field service engineers extended Dynex Semiconductor’s in-house resource, increased production capability and achieved successful implementation faster than the Lincoln, UK-based company could have done it themselves.

Fast response field service engineers

Faced with the urgent installation of an NV10-160 ion implanter, Dynex Semiconductor needed a talented field service engineer to supplement their engineering team. With a tight deadline ahead, the manufacturer used IES to source the semiconductor equipment engineers needed for this specialised task.

Rick Halle, the business development manager for the IES Engineering Resource Support division, initially contacted Dynex after being advised of their requirement by another customer. Realising the urgency of the installation, he met with Dynex’s IGBT Wafer Fabrication Manager Tony Garraway and Wafer Fab Equipment Group Leader Mark Linnecor the following morning. Another successful collaboration had begun.

Specialist field service engineer needed

Along with factory relocation and other services, engineering resource support for the semiconductor industry is an IES speciality. Based on the agreed requirement, the IES ERS team quickly identified suitable resource for the work and submitted two engineers’ CVs to Dynex for approval. They also prepared work proposals: one for a 1.5-day assessment investigation and support; a second for the installation work itself.

Implanter installed in under two weeks

Shortly after completing an initial assessment with Axcelis specialist Graham Robertson, Malcolm Howland, an IES implant support engineer, began two weeks’ work at Dynex’s Lincoln plant. Throughout the project, the two contract field service engineers worked closely with the Dynex engineering team members who were very supportive and helped whenever required.

IES Engineering Resource Support

To everyone’s credit, the work was finished and Dynex was able to produce wafers in just 10 days. What’s more, the newly-installed machine provided much-needed back-up for another a Dynex implanter

‘…extremely good value…’

Describing the role of IES in the installation, Dynex’s Mark Linnecor said: ‘IES have the right approach; their specialist engineers complemented our resource, they did the job quickly and gave value for money. We’d definitely consider using them again.’

Valuable support for semiconductor companies

As well as demonstrating the expertise of two carefully-selected IES-sourced field service engineers, successful project completion showed yet again the value of contract engineering resource for engineering teams in advanced-technology industries.

Speaking after completion of the project, Rick Halle said: ‘IES quickly understood Dynex’s needs then implemented and executed a plan so our contract field service engineer had the NV10-160 fully operational within 2 weeks. It was a pleasure to work with the Dynex team at managerial and engineering levels. As a supplier it’s good to hear Dynex say we performed well from beginning to end and gave excellent value. We’d like to thank Dynex for their support and wish them every success in the power semiconductor market. We look forward to working with them again.’

IES Case Making & Packing Services

UK-based export packing specialists IES have supplied bespoke packing to protect three giant turbine shaft seals manufactured by Somerset-based SM Seals. The mechanical shaft seals are each more than 13 feet (4 m) in diameter and weigh in excess of 4 tonnes  (8800 lb). They’re being installed in Washington State’s Grand Coulee Dam – the world’s fourth-largest. Once in place, they’ll reduce allowable leakage by 90 per cent and increase turbine efficiency at the 6809 MW generating plant by 1 per cent. That’s worth around $3 million per year to the client, the Bureau of Reclamation.

 

It was essential that IES ensured top quality wooden crates and faultless shipping. This was due to the implications for completing the powerplant overhaul and the financial penalties if the stainless steel and aluminium bronze seals arrived damaged or late.

Bespoke export packing for freighting to Washington State

Bespoke ISPM 15 Wooden Crates

The precision seals were disassembled into four segments for shipping. Their delivery journey from Somerset took them via South Wales, Tilbury docks, the Panama Canal and Seattle, Washington. They then made a 230-mile road journey to the dam.

‘Like changing your car engine…under your desk’

To meet the client’s needs, SM Seals designed and manufactured each seal to fit through an 18” x 30” (457 x 762 mm) access hole. The available axial space was less than 18” (457 mm) and all components had to be manhandled into place. It was a procedure that SM Seals likened to ‘changing your car engine, without lifting equipment, in a space smaller than that under your desk.’ Because each segment joint presented a potential leak path, the fabrication and machining company (3Ks Engineering, Llanelli) also faced a major challenge to get each joint-face absolutely flat, perpendicular and flaw free.

A tough case-making challenge

Large mechanical seal requires bespoke packing solution

To ensure the seals’ safe arrival, the IES crate making team, worked closely with SM Seals. Together, they ensured that the bespoke wooden cases (ISPM 15 heat-treated, internally braced and lined with waterproof paper) would fit into one standard shipping container. In a challenge typical of IES export packing projects, each case had to be strong enough to stack three-high. The contents also had to remain in-gauge (staying within the open-topped container’s frame). With approximately 1000 kg (2205 lb) in each crate, each also had to be able to support 3000 kg (6614lb).  

Tight deadlines and financial penalties

As well as the challenge of the crates’ construction, IES worked to a tight project timescale. To make their client’s deadline, the consignment had to be on a specific vessel on a specified day. There were substantial financial penalties if SM Seals didn’t deliver on time. Failure of the crates in transit could also have damaged the expensive precision-made seals, leaving the dam with insufficient seals for its refurbishment. The result? Further financial penalties.

‘A successful partnership with SM Seals’

Speaking about the project, IES managing director Niels Morch says:

‘This is the kind of packing and logistics project that combines all our case making, packing, shipping and customs clearance expertise. We worked closely with SM Seals and they put complete trust in us for the time-sensitive work. It’s always rewarding when you have a proactive customer. Someone who’s willing to trust you and work in partnership to achieve on-time delivery, at the right place with no consignment damage. It’s what we do every day – but delivering to a dam was certainly another first for us!’

UK-based factory relocation and engineering services firm IES has appointed Amit Kumar to the position of market research executive. Amit graduated from Bournemouth University with an MSC in Management with Marketing. He now brings his skills to IES’s engineering resource support, factory relocation, bespoke export packing and storage operations.

According to a recent Association for Graduate Recruiters (AGR) press release^*, the troubled graduate recruitment market may have finally turned the corner and be set to improve during 2011. At a time when talk is often about staff cutbacks, Amit’s appointment was helped by eight successful weeks on an IES sales internship. This was spent on business relocation, factory relocation and export packing projects where Amit demonstrated his business acumen and desire to achieve targets.

Academic perspective on the graduate recruitment market

Discussing the market for graduates, Sid Ghosh, a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University’s Business School, shares the AGR’s cautious optimism. According to Ghosh: ‘The graduate recruitment market has gone through significant changes in recent years. It‘s becoming more challenging than ever for the recent graduate to find appropriate placement and a job. However, there are opportunities for students having the right set of skills to grab a good job in the market. Students who have acquired a critical set of skills over the years through their university education are finding it easier to get the right jobs.‘

Sales support for factory relocation and other services

In his new position, Amit is a key IES team member. His appointment is part of the company’s ambitious business development strategy. From office moves to machinery moves, he’ll provide essential leads for the IES sales team. And focused office-based support for field-sales across factory relocation and other services.

‘Building the IES brand in engineering and logistics

Amit says: ‘I’m responsible for six business projects: Business & Factory Relocation, Export Packing, Freight Forwarding, Engineering Resource Support, and Warehousing. My responsibilities range from researching and qualifying new prospects to product development. We‘re looking forward to accelerating our operations in the South West and building the IES brand in engineering and logistics. We’ll also be adding expertise in high-technology industries and making sure we keep delivering the excellent customer service IES is known for in factory relocation and other areas.‘

‘A much-needed addition to the IES team‘

IES sales director Matt Boyd comments on graduate recruitment – and the new recruit who stood out for his educational achievements and understanding of the job’s demands: ‘Amit proves that with good training, skills and attitudes, graduates can bag great opportunities in the competitive recruitment market. He‘s a much-needed addition to our team. He’ll be an essential source of hot sales leads and a key person in our new-business strategy across all service areas. Above all, Amit’s role will build on the success of his internship, which has already yielded two new customers. We’re delighted to welcome him to IES.‘

* ‘Brighter outlook for graduates as vacancy numbers increase for first time since recession began’: The Association for Graduate Recruiters (21/01/2011)

IES is the UK distributor for the Swedish GARO Group, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle charging station manufacturers providing robust, secure and safe electric car charging stations. The recent installation in Bury St Edmunds represents another small-but-significant step in the growth of the UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure – and another factor encouraging greater use of electric cars.

IES recently supplied two electric car charging stations to Cale Briparc UK for installation at Parkway Car Park, Bury St Edmunds. Supply of the two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations shows how IES is building its reputation as a future-focused manufacturer and distributer of specialised electrical equipment.

Bristol-based IES is the UK distributor for the Swedish GARO Group, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle charging station manufacturers. With supply contracts such as this one, IES electrical products (distributed under the Integrated Electrical Solutions trading name) are clearly seen to be helping to expand the UK’s developing electric-vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Demonstration of market-leading electric vehicle charging technology

The new facility’s ease of use was demonstrated on 24 February 2011 in the presence of Cale Briparc, IES and Mitsubishi Motors UK. After the demonstration, during which a Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric city car was recharged, IES technical salesperson, Gary Wade, said: ‘We showed how easy it is to use this type of wall-mounted charge point, even where space is tight. Two standard pillar charging-stations were specially modified with wall-mountable supports, making the stations even more convenient for charging electric cars. It certainly shows off the new range’s versatility.’

Robust, secure and safe electric car charging stations

With last December’s installation, Bury St Edmunds got a robust, secure, safe facility for charging electric vehicles. The installation represents another small-but-significant step in the growth of the UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure – and another factor encouraging greater use of electric cars. In particular, the presence of more charging points is expected to reassure motorist who have previously held reservations about being able to recharge electric vehicles.

Alleviating motorists’ ‘range fear’

‘Range fear’, a paucity of attractive vehicles and limited electric vehicle charge facilities have historically dissuaded motorists from buying electric cars. Installations such as Bury’s help create the infrastructure that will alleviate motorists’ concerns about the availability of suitable charging points. As distributor of the GARO units, IES is therefore helping to establish the infrastructure that will encourage wider use of electric vehicles. The initiative also sits well with the green ethos pervading IES interests in electrical components, factory and plant relocation, engineering services, programme management and logistics.

A logical range extension for IES

As a successful manufacturer and distributer of power distribution equipment since 2004, IES already has a firm foothold in the sector. Now, as the UK distributor for GARO products, IES has added a topical, environmentally meaningful and potential growth product to an already extensive range. Adding these electric car charge points to the range, and early involvement with installers such as Cale Briparc, will continue to be essential for successfully exploiting the potentially huge demand for EV charging points in UK car parks as well as other private and public locations.

Gary Wade concludes: ‘It’s our intention to build on our early sales successes with these electric car charging stations. We’re determined to keep ahead of the market. Rest assured that, as we’ve done before, we’ll continually develop flexible solutions to meet and exceed our customers’ needs. The future promises exciting times for our customers, electric vehicle users and the environment. IES intends to play a leading role in this future’.

UK-based factory relocation, engineering services and logistics specialist IES Ltd is making life easier for the notoriously volatile semiconductor equipment Industry. IES, which has supported semiconductor manufacturing since 1991, now has over 100 of the industry’s best equipment engineers on its books. Through its outsourcing services, IES helps customers avoid raising headcounts during the temporary industry upturn.

‘Growing demand for highly-skilled temporary engineering personnel’

Commenting on the semiconductor industry outlook for 2011 and the role of his company’s outsourcing services, IES Sales Director Matt Boyd says: “During the current upturn, our outsourcing services solve a common industry problem. In the past, semiconductor fabrication companies hired highly-skilled and experienced engineering support staff before having to let them go, with negative consequences for local communities when the industry later fell into recession. It’s good to see that our engineering resources services can have beneficial social impacts.” 

Engineering support services bring benefits for everyone

According to Boyd, it’s win-win for everyone involved in this high technology industry. That includes customers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and engineers themselves. ‘Customers enjoy excellent customer support and pay much lower rates. Our high-quality outsourcing solution is now widely used and increasingly cost-effective for OEMs that prefer professional outsourcing to traditional hire and fire policies.’

The highest quality Customer Interface Team

With 28 years in semiconductor engineering and management, IES Engineering Resource Support (ERS) Manager, Kevin Stribley, is responsible for signing up the highest quality engineers and managing this vast engineering support resource to maximize customers’ satisfaction.

According to Stribley, providing a ‘one-stop shop’ for the semiconductor fabrication industry is a top priority. ‘Whenever customers need process or equipment support in any area of wafer fab, whether lithography, diffusion/implant, thin films, etch, CMP, inspection or metrology, we can provide experienced engineers with years of semiconductor fabrication experience at short notice.’

IES has also hired Rick Halle as Business Development Manager to grow and manage ERS sales. Halle brings 25 years’ experience selling processing (photo, furnace, PVD, CVD and etch), wafer inspection and metrology equipment (KLA-Tencor and Nicolet). His product knowledge and understanding of the European and US customer base has already brought rapid success and exponential sales growth for IES ERS.

Minimizing wafer supply risks during fab relocation

Halle says: ‘This unique service complements the core IES logistics business for customers in the semiconductor industry. As many of our European and US customers relocate production to Asia they need equipment support including decontamination of processing tools, de-installation, packing, shipping, location in the new facility, installation and commissioning with minimal disruption to manufacturing. We provide a complete package of managed support services for the fastest possible turnaround time from last wafer processing at the original facility to first wafer processing at the new one, so the customer minimizes potential supply risks to its customers. Over the coming years we plan to extend this successful business model from semiconductor fabrication to other markets such as pharmaceuticals.’

IES also helps maximize customers’ gross margins

Many IES customers make commodity products in high volumes, albeit with eroded gross margins. These customers increasingly approach IES for equipment support to keep their human resource costs as low as possible, thereby maintaining or improving product profitability.

IES ERS – a winning outsourcing solution for industry

IES Engineering Resource Support is a winning source of valuable engineering resources for the semiconductor industry, providing jobs for engineers around the world, benefiting local communities and providing a repeatable successful business model for IES to take to their other customers’ markets.

IES increase their University customer base

The University of Southampton combines academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research. Contributing to this, IES supported Southampton with the installation of a new clean room facility.

As an on-going partnership, IES have provided the logistical arm to Southampton University for hi-tech equipment moves. During the clean room refurbishment period, numerous equipment orders for multi-million pounds worth of equipment awaited installation. This equipment was drop shipped to IES warehouse facilities for short term storage. A selection of which was stored & insured in IES’ dedicated temperature controlled warm room to protect finite optical components. IES undertook detailed planning and cooperation with Southampton University to deliver the sensitive equipment to schedule.

Experience and reputation have enabled IES to develop and expand a sound base of university customers for equipment relocation.

IES provide a warm solution…

Installation of a state-of-the-art heating system has vastly improved the specialist storage facilities at IES. Within the warm room, sophisticated meters and data logs accurately record temperature set within a specific bandwidth. If the temperature drops outside the desired band, an alarm will sound for immediate corrective action.  The warm room facility is specifically designed for highly sensitive equipment susceptible to damage by fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Data reports verify temperature control as specified by the customer. The facility also has provision for CDA and nitrogen supply.