Sustainable investments in Stockholm lead to new environmental benefits
Generating our own nitrogen gas
In conjunction with our investment in the new selective soldering machine, Orbit One has also invested in a nitrogen generator.
“The soldering process requires nitrogen gas, and investing in our own nitrogen generator makes us more self-sufficient and more flexible while also entailing environmental benefits, as we eliminate the need for long truck shipments to refill our nitrogen tanks”, explains Per-Ola Johansson, Engineering Manager at Orbit One.
Reduced energy consumption
“The new selective soldering machine also uses significantly less energy. The previous wave soldering machine required energy to melt around 600 kg of tin, whereas the new selective soldering machine only needs around 10 kg for continuous operation. The self-cleaning nozzles are another important feature that contribute to a better work environment and a more sustainable production process”, Per-Ola Johansson adds.
No expensive fixtures required
“Yet another benefit is that the new selective soldering machine can perform soldering closer to the components, thus eliminating the need to create new, expensive fixtures for each circuit board, as was the case with the older wave soldering machine. Instead, the programming controls the exact location of the soldering, point for point. Furthermore, the use of selective soldering is a must for certain modern circuit boards”, Per-Ola Johansson concludes.
High demand complicates the situation
“The component market is still facing a tough situation, and at present there are no immediate signs that things are about to improve. Furthermore, there is still very high demand for components, and manufacturers are quite simply unable to produce components at a sufficient rate to meet current needs”, says Marcus Gunnebrant, Orbit One’s Chief Supply Chain Officer.
Continued problems into 2023
“Our forecasts are being pushed forward month by month, and I believe that we will see a continuation of these problems into the first half of 2023, at least. Investments are being made in new production capacity, but these are yet to produce any visible results.”
The pandemic continues to have an impact
“The pandemic also continues to impact the market, in particular in China, where production units are periodically being forced to shut down completely, which is delaying deliveries. This in turn is creating backlogs of deliveries that must be shipped out of China and then reloaded in Europe for further distribution. The war in the Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia are also creating problems when it comes to land-based shipments through Russia.”
Forecasts are important!
“In addition, prices continue to rise with regard to the cost of production, shipping and raw materials. Our advice to all our customers is therefore unchanged – they should carefully review their needs and neither underestimate nor overestimate their purchasing requirements. Ideally, we would like to receive estimates of customers’ component requirements for the next eighteen months to 2 years. Finally, I once again wish to warn our customers to be wary of rogue operators on the Internet who promise good prices and quick deliveries. At Orbit One we only work with quality-assured non-franchised distributors (brokers).”
Would you like to know more about the component situation?
Contact our Chief Supply Chain Officer, Marcus Gunnebrant, for the latest news and developments.
You can reach him at +46 (0)70965 21 38 or e‑mail him at: marcus.gunnebrant@orbitone.se
New Sustainability Report from Orbit One
Orbit One is one of Scandinavia’s leading contract manufacturers of electronics and electromechanics. With size and status comes added responsibility to develop sustainable solutions for our employees, customers and the environment. In our Sustainability Report for 2021 we describe our continued sustainability work and how we continuously strive to reduce our consumption of energy and chemicals and create new sustainable solutions.
The report can be ordered here: mats.eriksson@orbitone.se
Orbit One wishes you a long and wonderful summer!
We wish all our customers, business partners and friends a long and enjoyable summer.
Our units in Sweden will be closed during weeks 28–30, with certain specific exceptions.
Our unit in Poland will remain open throughout the summer.
We love to challenge, question and think innovatively!
Summer is fast approaching and is preceded by a sure sign of spring in the form of Orbit One’s latest Sustainability Report, in which we describe our sustainability work and how we continuously strive to reduce our energy consumption, replace chemicals and create new, more efficient manufacturing solutions. This is a continuous process and a key area of focus for Orbit One, with attention to both the smallest of details as well as major investments. For example, this year we have continued to expand the installation of solar panels in Prabuty, reduced our energy consumption in Ronneby through new machinery, and invested in a nitrogen generator and a more efficient ventilation system in Stockholm.
At the same time, demand for our services has not diminished. 2022 has started well, with many positive signals from our customers despite the prevailing situation and uncertainty in the world. There are a number of clouds on the horizon in the form of component shortages, increasing inflation and rising interest rates, but here at Orbit One we feel that we have learnt to manage the problems that have characterised the past couple of years, and we are well placed to help our customers, even in times of difficulty and when changes in direction are required. Orbit One has a strong and competent organisation, with employees who love to challenge, question and think innovatively. Our aim? The greatest possible added value for all concerned!
The entire team here at Orbit One wishes all our customers, suppliers, colleagues and friends a wonderful summer!
