SAN JOSE, CA – June 11, 2008 – Endwave Corporation (NASDAQ: ENWV), a leading provider of high-frequency RF modules for telecommunications networks, defense electronics and homeland security systems, today announced the receipt of the “Progressive Manufacturing Award” from Managing Automation magazine. The Managing Automation awards program recognizes manufacturers that are being progressive in their businesses, in the management of their operations and in their use of advanced technologies. This award will be presented to Endwave at the Progressive Manufacturing Conference in Las Vegas on June 12, 2008.
Earlier this year, Endwave implemented a wireless RFID-based lot tracking system from Omnitrol Networks on their factory floor in Diamond Springs, CA. This system enhances core manufacturing processes through continuous shop floor visibility of all work-in-process (WIP) components.
Endwave’s Defense and Security business unit is a supplier to both the defense electronics and homeland security industries. Because these components of mission critical systems are essential to safety and success, they are carefully tracked throughout the assembly process. Furthermore, key defense primes and the Department of Defense are starting to request real-time visibility on order status to improve their own lean manufacturing initiatives. This new RFID system significantly increases Endwave’s ability to meet these needs.
The benefits from the new systems are expected in the following areas:
- Improved WIP Tracking: In a typical production environment, production personnel spend time manually tracking work orders and their status on the factory floor. This process is time consuming and prone to human error. With automated RFID tracking, shop floor monitoring is more efficient, timely and less error prone.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Delivery Delays: The system includes automatically generated “delay alerts” that are sent to manufacturing personnel if a lot does not move to the next work cell within a prescribed time period. This allows problems to be addressed before they cause delays in the overall manufacturing flow.
“We are extremely proud to have received this recognition from Managing Automation,” said John Mikulsky, Chief Operating Officer of Endwave. “At Endwave, we are constantly challenging ourselves to find novel ways to improve our operations. We see the implementation of cutting-edge RFID tracking systems on the manufacturing floor as another example of Endwave’s ability to apply the latest technology in real-world solutions that enhance our ability to serve our customers and improve our operating efficiency. Also, I’d like to compliment Omnitrol for their excellent support in this endeavor.”
