Difference between revisions of "ATL Technologies"
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| − | + | =ATL Technology= | |
| + | ATL Technology was established in 1993 in part by current Chief of Operations Brad Bullough, with the goal to provide engineering solutions and OEM cable assemblies to high-tech equipment manufacturers and medical manufacturers. ATL's managing partners bring more than 80 years of combined experience in the OEM, ODM component manufacturing and assembly business. The company has expanded internationally and now does a large part of its manufacturing in factories located in China. | ||
| + | Chief of Operations Brad Bullough has personally worked with Asian suppliers since 1987 and still spends 80 to 100 days a year in China. In his career his family relocated to Guangzhou, China for 1.5 years. | ||
| − | + | ==Relations with China== | |
| + | The company possesses a factory in Houjie Town in DongGuan, China (about 4 hours west of Hong Kong by bus. This factory is a 280,000 square foot campus that houses about 350 employees. Most of the employees are women recently graduated from secondary education who use their income to support their families from their native towns. The laborers consist of a management team of English speakers, a R&D Design Engineering Group,Traceability Systems to track components. | ||
| − | + | ==Keys to their Success in the Chinese Factories== | |
| + | In order to minimize corruption the company hires a new GM every 5 years and maintains a recurring relationship with them. The company visits all component vendors and establishes a "no-kickbacks" pledge. Suppliers or buyers are changed every 3-5 years. At the manager level English speaking is required and usually at least one ex-pat is in a management position. Employees are instilled with a sense of integrity and "360 Degree" interviews are conducted. | ||
| + | Labor costs and rates are as follows: | ||
| + | Coastal Areas: | ||
| + | 2005- $88 to $127 | ||
| + | 2009- $127 to $320 | ||
| + | 2012- $155 to $440 | ||
| − | + | Interior: | |
| + | 2005- $27 to $83 | ||
| + | 2009- $88 to $125 | ||
| + | 2012- $120 to $200 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Skilled Labor (English-speaking graduates): | ||
| + | 2005- $288 to $425 | ||
| + | 2012- similar levels | ||
| + | |||
| + | Technical Skilled labor rate: | ||
| + | Initial- $375 to $545 | ||
| + | 2012- similar levels | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Observations from ATL's Business Experiences== | ||
| + | *Chinese Businesses will often low-ball the first bid in an attempt to win the business. | ||
| + | *Brokers giving the impression that there are several factories. | ||
| + | *"Guanxi" (關係) is everything (who you know and how you know them) | ||
| + | *Vendors will spend a lot of money to establish guanxi | ||
| + | *Samples do not always equal production | ||
| + | *Current production does not always equal future production ("A 'too good to be true' deal will force corner cutting") | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Noted Advantages to Living in China== | ||
| + | China is central to many other locations in Asia prime for tourism. The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and surrounding countries are only a few hours distance by airplane. Nationally recognized vacation breaks are recognized in February and October. The cost of living is lower since housing is paid for and mass transit is inexpensive. There are also tax advantages and the obvious cultural and language exposure. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Noted Disadvantages to Living in China== | ||
| + | Some difficulties of living in the East is the lack of proximity to friends and family. Cultural norms are much different in school settings, accidents/sickness, and overall living experience. Access to online sites regulated by the government are limited. Retirement planning is not designed for. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''Contemporary Commentator'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Would be interested in further details as to the beginnings of the company's relationships established in China, the hiring process of local applicants, suppliers and buyers, purpose and outcomes of original trips made to China. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Resources== | ||
| + | <http://www.atltechnology.com/content/about-ATL-Technology> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Oral Presentation on ATL Technology given by Brad Bullough Chief of Operations 7 Feb. 2012. This wiki article by winghei 10:30, 27 March 2012 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Contact Brad at bbullough@atltechnlogy.com for further information | ||
Revision as of 07:48, 28 February 2013
ATL Technology
ATL Technology was established in 1993 in part by current Chief of Operations Brad Bullough, with the goal to provide engineering solutions and OEM cable assemblies to high-tech equipment manufacturers and medical manufacturers. ATL's managing partners bring more than 80 years of combined experience in the OEM, ODM component manufacturing and assembly business. The company has expanded internationally and now does a large part of its manufacturing in factories located in China. Chief of Operations Brad Bullough has personally worked with Asian suppliers since 1987 and still spends 80 to 100 days a year in China. In his career his family relocated to Guangzhou, China for 1.5 years.
Relations with China
The company possesses a factory in Houjie Town in DongGuan, China (about 4 hours west of Hong Kong by bus. This factory is a 280,000 square foot campus that houses about 350 employees. Most of the employees are women recently graduated from secondary education who use their income to support their families from their native towns. The laborers consist of a management team of English speakers, a R&D Design Engineering Group,Traceability Systems to track components.
Keys to their Success in the Chinese Factories
In order to minimize corruption the company hires a new GM every 5 years and maintains a recurring relationship with them. The company visits all component vendors and establishes a "no-kickbacks" pledge. Suppliers or buyers are changed every 3-5 years. At the manager level English speaking is required and usually at least one ex-pat is in a management position. Employees are instilled with a sense of integrity and "360 Degree" interviews are conducted. Labor costs and rates are as follows: Coastal Areas: 2005- $88 to $127 2009- $127 to $320 2012- $155 to $440
Interior: 2005- $27 to $83 2009- $88 to $125 2012- $120 to $200
Skilled Labor (English-speaking graduates): 2005- $288 to $425 2012- similar levels
Technical Skilled labor rate: Initial- $375 to $545 2012- similar levels
Observations from ATL's Business Experiences
- Chinese Businesses will often low-ball the first bid in an attempt to win the business.
- Brokers giving the impression that there are several factories.
- "Guanxi" (關係) is everything (who you know and how you know them)
- Vendors will spend a lot of money to establish guanxi
- Samples do not always equal production
- Current production does not always equal future production ("A 'too good to be true' deal will force corner cutting")
Noted Advantages to Living in China
China is central to many other locations in Asia prime for tourism. The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and surrounding countries are only a few hours distance by airplane. Nationally recognized vacation breaks are recognized in February and October. The cost of living is lower since housing is paid for and mass transit is inexpensive. There are also tax advantages and the obvious cultural and language exposure.
Noted Disadvantages to Living in China
Some difficulties of living in the East is the lack of proximity to friends and family. Cultural norms are much different in school settings, accidents/sickness, and overall living experience. Access to online sites regulated by the government are limited. Retirement planning is not designed for.
==
Contemporary Commentator
Would be interested in further details as to the beginnings of the company's relationships established in China, the hiring process of local applicants, suppliers and buyers, purpose and outcomes of original trips made to China.
Resources
<http://www.atltechnology.com/content/about-ATL-Technology>
Oral Presentation on ATL Technology given by Brad Bullough Chief of Operations 7 Feb. 2012. This wiki article by winghei 10:30, 27 March 2012
Contact Brad at bbullough@atltechnlogy.com for further information