FAQ's
Below is list of 20 common questions asked of ANR which may help you determine how suitable we may be for your requirements.
Whilst we try and keep the information provided on the web-site up to date, the information supplied may be subject to change at short notice.
1) Do we manufacture PCBs?
a. The quick answer is no. However, due to our purchasing power and usage of PCBs we have 8 PCB suppliers, offering UK, European and Global supply chain. We have proven with several clients that in fact we can actually supply bare PCBs through our distribution division at very competitive prices in the UK. All we need to provide you with competitive prices are your Gerber files and to know what volumes you require - 1 off to 50,000 off.
2) Can we work with Free Issue materials?
a. Yes, we do already. Some clients prefer to control their stocks, free issuing materials to jobs as they are required - whilst other clients wish us to hold their stocks, offering monthly stock checks as applicable. We will work with either option. Whether our clients want to free issue all materials, partial (e.g. only high value ICs) and we provide electro-mechanical and low value, through to we will take over a clients stock programme to fulfil contact requirements.
3) Can ANR offer full procurement of materials?
a. Again, the answer is yes, we are already. ANR see ourselves a true extension to our clients manufacturing facility. We will work with you on your requirements, utilising where you require certain suppliers in the chain, whilst locating other such suppliers to either cope with volume increments or to offer a continued cost reduction programme. We procure materials from all over the world, whilst dealing with many manufacturers directly.
4) What is our standard lead-time?
a. This is a tricky question to answer, considering it is asked so often! The main delay in producing products for clients is in waiting for materials - either shortage free kits or on lead-times for procured products. Our honest answer would be, if you advise us of when you must have product - we will achieve this date, and if we don't we'll go through options to try and resolve delivery problems. ANR historically quoted 15 days for production turn around. On average - deliveries from ANR are now nearer 7 days and throughout 2006 we are aiming to achieve all production to clients within 5 days. Contact us at your time of enquiry for more detailed lead-times.
5) Do we accept credit cards for payment?
a. No. ANR do not offer payments by credit card. Our policy is to supply a client's first order by Proforma payment. This however is negotiable. If a prospective client can supply enough details at the time of order (hard copy of purchase order, company registration number and completed accounts forms) then an account will opened immediate with instant credit on 30 days.
6) What payment terms do ANR offer?
a. For all clients who have credit facilities with ANR, we extend 30 days end of month facilities. However, as with any partnership, this can be negotiated. We would be happy to work with any client who is looking for a significant quantity of business to be subcontracted and based on this and other factors (including client credit rating) we can extend 45 days, 60 days and sometimes further credit where exceptional opportunities lie.
7) Will ANR hold buffer stocks to service KAN BAN and JIT requirements?
a. The answer is yes, we will. ANR's expertise lies in not only our flexibility but also in understanding how important it is to having a product available when you want it. We will hold material stocks to ensure immediate production, part built assemblies to bring final assembly times down through to finished inspected, tested and packaged goods. As long as ANR has order commitment - we will work with clients to ensure that what you require is achieved.
8) Can ANR design PCB's?
a. Again, No, however we are hoping by the beginning of 2007 that we will extend this service in house. ANR look to offer solutions, and therefore - although we don't offer this service at present, we work closely with 3 PCB design houses and either recommend them to you directly or we project manage them on your behalf.
9) Are ANR competitive with other regions in the UK and Europe?
a. Another difficult one to answer. Business has become harder in the last 3 years. Already we have seen our competitors in the UK struggle where they have tried to buy business to ensure turn over. We will not get into that position. We can certainly extend case studies where we have competed against both Eastern Europe and the Far East and offered a much more competitive option for our clients. It is very true that on a labour rate alone we cannot compete. However, where we can offer a solution which brings a better balance is in production engineering. By utilising all of our skills and services brings about a finished product price (or ASP) which competes with not only other parts of the UK but also over seas.
10) How flexible is ANR?
a. Very. This is just one of our strengths. Not only do we offer flexible manufacturing solutions, quick production cycles, quick order - production transfer and also financial benefits, but by virtue on managing over production rather than micro-managing For clients which have many products built by ANR, this means we can change production requirements as you need them, thus always appearing as your own manufacturing facility. The other thing which ANR is, is honest. We operate an open book policy, advising throughout a process and project what is possible and achievable allowing us to be more flexible on project requirements.
11) Do ANR charge carriage?
a. Yes and NO! We currently have a £12.50 next day carriage charge via TNT to anywhere in the UK. To certain clients, they require carriage to be hidden in the price of the product, whilst large clients receive free carriage. All products shipped outside of the UK for clients is either charged to our client's courier or we will charge at cost via our accounts with UPS, TNT or Fedex.
12) Do ANR supply sheet & fabricated metal?
a. Yes. Although we only have facilities in house for prototype runs, we work closely with 4 sheet metal workers. We still compete with other sheet metal and fabricators as we operate on fixed low margins with these companies. We inter-trade on machined items with them, and through this inter-trading we can be competitive both in the supply chain and in the re-sale of sheet metal through the distribution division.
13) Do we have a fast track system for quick turn around manufacture?
a. Yes and at no extra cost. Cable assemblies, where materials are available, can in some instances be manufactured and despatched within 24 hours. For PCB assemblies, again where materials are supplied or are available - we will turn low volumes around in 24-48 hours, pending the complexity. Our engineering division can likewise offer fast solutions to urgent requirements. Depending complexity, machining content and actual requirements - for many small requirements can again be manufactured within days rather than weeks. The one constant is that ANR charge no extra costs for fast turn around work.
14) What production capacity can we offer?
a. Another regular question with no straight forward answer. Combined with our requirements and planned move within the next 12 months to larger premises capacity is something which we are always trying to improve. ANR is split into two main divisions - Electronics (Unit 7) and Engineering (Units 2&3). Electronics operate Monday - Friday 6am - 6pm whilst engineering operate from 7am - 2am. Engineering also work 7am - 2pm on a Saturday. Overtime is always available and we can extend production to up to 21 hours, 7 days a week. We have 10 home workers who we can call on at any time, whilst with 40 employees full time we can call on up to 30 more contractors for production. The answer therefore is really what do you require? As always - we will make it happen.
15) How many people do ANR employee?
a. ANR's head count fluctuates. We currently have 40 permanent staff, whilst by June 2006 this will increase to 44. We have 10 regular home workers which we draw on, whilst we also have the capacity to manage up to 30 more contractors for large contracts. We manage our over heads on labour on a very tight basis. The high head count enables us to continually offer a fast turn around, whilst with the expansion plans we have as part of our 3 year project is paramount to keep the expertise required to lead the competition.
16) Do ANR manufacture utilising RoHS compliance?
a. Yes. We are currently running both RoHS and non RoHS compliant production batches. This covers surface mount, through hole, distribution components, engineering supplies and of course cable assemblies. Products supplied as RoHS compliant are despatched with clear labelling on the packaged product. Supplies of materials which are stated as RoHS compliant are supplied in good faith from advice and statements from manufacturers Clients who are RoHS exempt. We will continue to work with you to ensure products are manufactured using compliant products to save you doing so.
17) How long does it take ANR to supply quotes?
a. As quick as possible. The more complex the quote the longer it will take to submit -as we look at solutions and projects, we look at all avenues, including disaster recovery as part of the package. A simple quote can be done the same day. The mainstay is communication - so if a Client requires an answer for a dead-line then we will achieve that deadline. A day, a week, large contracts can take up to 2 weeks. Please speak to us, explaining what your timescales and constraints are and we will work with you to achieve these targets.
18) Can we ship products outside of the UK?
a. Yes, either using our own couriers or your own transportation. We will handle the export and shipping documentation, calling couriers and freight forwarders where required. Main land Europe is as standard next day or 2 day service, whilst we can ship products for you either by air or sea freight depending on your requirements.
19) Do ANR have a minimum order quantity or value?
a. No. In terms of manufacturing, we will make one off's through to any volume clients require. In our distribution arm, sometimes there are minimum order quantities due to manufacturers pack sizes, but where possible we will split these packs for you. The only other charge which clients face, other than the unit price of the goods is the carriage charge if applicable.
20) What Quality system do you operate?
a. ANR operate under our ISO9001:2000 accreditation. Combined with this - we have client's certification allowing us to supply key Bluechip and OEM clients in safety critical environments. Our cable assemblies and box build divisions as standard operate to IPC/WHMA-A-620 (class 2&3) and in the PCB division operates to ANSI/IPC-A-610 (class 2&3).
