Solid State Stamping Launches Strategic Alliance
1 February 1999
Solid State Stamping Launches Strategic Alliance With Leading German Automotive Electronic Contact Parts Manufacturers
TEMECULA, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Feb. 1, 1999--In a unique win-win deal for all concerned, Solid State Stamping has launched a strategic alliance with INODOR Prazisionstelle GmbH & Co. of Stolberg, Germany and INOVAN GmbH & Co. KG of Pforzheim, Germany.
Under the alliance, Solid State assumes exclusive North American rights for manufacturing and sale of parts for automotive electronic contact applications based on sophisticated strip metal forming techniques from INOVAN. Conversely, INODOR and INOVAN receive exclusive European rights for manufacture and sale of parts for automotive electronic contact applications based on Solid State's proprietary technology for formed tip male pin terminals and nail-head contacts for wire-bond applications, plus other technologies.
Specifically, INOVAN has licensed to Solid State its technology to produce stamped parts with complex geometrics for use as contact elements in switch or relay-type devices and to produce bent or rolled-spring contacts. Additionally, INOVAN's technology to manufacture contact parts with components attached by welding; staking and/or riveting is provided to Solid State, as well as technology to attach electrical or electronic profiles.
The technologies licensed by Solid State to INODOR and INOVAN include special processes to produce pads on contacts for wire bonding, plus locking and sealing collars on male contacts.
In addition, Solid State's technology for production of formed tips on square and round wire, including 0.64mm pins is being provided to facilitate smoother tip and lower insertion forces. Solid State is also licensing its patented two-piece male pin terminal made from continuous wire and strip metal for automotive transmission electronic connection applications.
In making the alliance announcement, Solid State president Brad Adams called it an epic marriage within the industry. "These sister companies, INODOR and INOVAN, bring the highest level of manufacturing expertise and technology to our partnership," he noted. "Moreover, their sales organization has the ability to serve all of Solid State's existing European customers while ensuring that many additional European companies will come to benefit from Solid State's electronic technologies. And needless to say," Adams continued, "we are excited over being able to offer North American customers parts based on INOVAN's proprietary processes, including advanced lead frames with attached components and spring contacts for specialized automotive switch and relay applications."
INODOR and INOVAN are members of the Prymtec Group of metal forming technology companies. INODOR is based in Stolberg, while INOVAN has headquarters in Pforzheim. INODOR produces high-volume stamped and deep-drawn parts, pine and wire parts on its proprietary equipment for automotive, battery and other electronic applications. INOVAN, on the other hand, specializes in stamped and bent parts made from strip metal for automotive and other electrical and electronic applications, as well as roll-clad material and micro profiles.
The company also provides in-house spot and selective plating.
Prymtec is a wholly owned subsidiary of William Prym GmbH & Co. KG, a diversified manufacturer of haberdashery and semi-finished and technical metal products, founded in the 16th century.
Founded in 1987, Solid State Stamping is the acknowledged industry leader in wire connector pin technology. The company manufacturers a wide variety of precision-made electronic contacts and sensors -- including connector pins, lead frames and other precision stamped parts for the automotive, telecommunications and data communications markets.
Solid State places special emphasis on the importance of what it calls "partnership engineering with customers in order to be able to produce products ready to coincide with customers' ever-changing needs."