Connect Group to Increase Suzhou PCBA Capacity by More Than 50%

New SMT and PTH production lines respond to growing customer demand and expand the capabilities available to customers in China.

Connect Group is expanding its PCBA manufacturing capacity in Suzhou, China, with the installation of new SMT and PTH production lines. Once fully operational, the new production setup will increase the facility’s overall PCBA production capacity by more than 50%.

The investment comes in response to strong customer demand, which has increased by more than 80%, and will provide additional capacity to accommodate higher volumes while supporting increasingly complex electronics programmes.

The new lines add significant production capacity while introducing further automation and inspection capabilities to the Suzhou facility.

The new SMT Line 3 is equipped with advanced Yamaha placement technology, a Rehm reflow oven, and 3D AOI and SPI inspection systems. This configuration enables high-throughput production while providing greater control and visibility across the assembly process.

The new PTH Line 3 features a smart U-shaped production flow, equipped with an automated touch-up system, robotic testing and dual AOI inspection systems. The setup improves process efficiency and provides additional inspection points for through-hole assemblies.

Together, the new lines enable the Suzhou facility to deliver:

• More than 50% additional PCBA capacity, allowing higher production volumes and supporting shorter lead times.
• Consistent quality, with automated inspection integrated into the production process.
• Complex assembly capabilities, including high-density, mixed-technology boards and demanding PTH applications.
• Greater production flexibility, supporting both larger-volume programmes and mid- to small-batch projects.

The additional capacity gives customers greater room to scale production as their requirements evolve.

The combination of increased throughput, automation and advanced inspection enables Connect Group to support projects across a broader range of volumes and complexity — from mid-volume production to larger-scale programmes.

For customers, this translates into greater manufacturing capacity, more flexibility and increased ability to scale production locally in China, while maintaining consistent quality and process control.

The investment also enhances Connect Group’s ability to accommodate new projects and respond more effectively when customer programmes move into higher-volume production.

The latest investment is part of Connect Group’s continued development of its manufacturing footprint in Asia.

Earlier this year, Connect Group announced the introduction of additional advanced manufacturing technologies at its Suzhou facility, including selective wave soldering, dry ice cleaning, press-fit assembly and flying probe testing.

Read more about Connect Group’s previous investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities in Asia →

The latest SMT and PTH expansion adds a new dimension to that development: increased production capacity to match growing customer demand.

Together, these investments reflect Connect Group’s continued commitment to developing Suzhou as a scalable manufacturing base for customers in China and across Asia.

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