Under the agreement, Solectron will provide new product introduction (NPI) and printed circuit board assembly for Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci(TM) Surgical System. Solectron will provide the services for the advanced surgical device through its facility in Fremont, Calif.
"We are pleased to work with Intuitive Surgical," said Mitch Schoch, Solectron's vice president of account management, Americas. "This agreement takes advantage of Solectron's world-class manufacturing and medical capabilities, and allows us to increase our reach in this growing market segment for outsourcing."
"Intuitive Surgical is committed to partnerships that further strengthen our position as the world's leader in operative surgical robotics," added Gus Castello, Intuitive Surgical's vice president of manufacturing. "Our manufacturing model emphasizes the optimization of cost, quality, delivery, and service with keen focus on our customers, patients, and shareholders. As we continue to move forward in the pursuit of this goal, I believe Solectron will provide Intuitive Surgical with an important strategic advantage."
Solectron provides manufacturing services for a variety of medical products, including X-ray equipment, ultrasound fetal monitors, MRI scanners, blood analyzers, ECG patient monitors, HPLCs, spectrometers, and laser surgery equipment.
About Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical is the market leader in operative surgical robotics and manufacturer of the da Vinci(TM) Surgical System. The da Vinci(TM) Surgical System utilizes articulating EndoWrist(TM) Instruments and a unique 3-D InSite(TM) Vision System. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.intuitivesurgical.com.
About Solectron
Solectron (www.solectron.com) provides a full range of global manufacturing and supply-chain management services to the world's premier high-tech electronics companies. Solectron's offerings include new-product design and introduction services, materials management, high-tech product manufacturing, and product warranty and end-of-life support. Solectron, based in Milpitas, Calif., is the first two-time winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The company had sales of $12.3 billion in fiscal 2002.
Safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, any anticipated benefits of the manufacturing agreement, based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In particular, while the companies have executed a manufacturing agreement, the agreement does not contain any minimum purchase requirements. These risks and uncertainties also include component availability, changes in technology, competition, risk of price fluctuation, changes in economic conditions of the various markets the companies serve, risks associated with international sales and operations, end-user demand, market risk, segment risk, and intellectual property rights enforcement. Other potential risks that could cause actual events to differ materially are included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 8-K, 10-K, 10-Q, S-3, S-4 and S-8 for Solectron Corporation. Solectron disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Solectron Corporation
Tonya Chin, 408/956-6537 (Analyst/Investor)
tonyachin@ca.slr.com
Matt Roszell, 408/586-4031 (Media)
mattroszell@ca.slr.com
or
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Sarah Norton, 408/523-2161 (Analyst/Investor)
sarah.norton@intusurg.com