After a successful year of activity in the UK it seems there is cause for renewed optimism as Nicola Kay, Managing Director of CamdenBoss explores with the prospect of Electronica 2012 as ‘the’ hotbed for innovation
All-in-all, it’s been a pretty good summer for the UK (weather apart). Back in June there was the successful Diamond Jubilee for Her Majesty the Queen followed by TeamGB’s amazing success in the London Olympics. With the Paralympics – just concluding at time of writing – delivering yet more success. The general consensus can be said that Britain is a ‘can do’ country when it comes to organising major events.
For the electronics industry attention is now turning to the biennial Electronica exhibition in Munich in November. However, with all the financial doom and gloom surrounding the Euro and the poor performance of the global economy in general, you might think that UK companies would travel there without great expectations. But, you’d be wrong.
For companies such as CamdenBoss, Electronica 2012 is the major event of the year. No question. All the company’s efforts are geared towards this exhibition as they believe it to be critical to the success of their business. Last time out, in 2010, the company recouped its costs within three months with new business and through new and renewed relationships with its distributors. Electronica enables the company to meet many of its global partners and customers face-to-face, talk to them about their new products and learn more about businesses, market requirements and concerns.
Germany has become a major export market for the company through its three distributors and products such as its traditional CNMB series DIN rail and 7500 series Custocase enclosures that are selling well there. Generally speaking, what is good enough for Germany will be good enough for the rest of the world and the company anticipate similar success at the show in 2012. There is certainly prospect to be found in the halls of Electronica for those prepared to put in the hard work beforehand.
New innovations to hit the halls
This year, for example, the company will be launching a new website, combining the Camden Electronics and Boss Enclosures product lines for the first time. While this may not sound much, it’s a very significant step forward as it has been set up with distributors and engineers in mind.
The site will ensure it takes no more than three clicks to get to the information a user needs whether that is a datasheet or 3D drawing. It is also linked directly to the company’s ERP (enterprise resource planning) system so that distributors can check real-time free stock levels and if specifications are updated on the website, this is automatically reflected on the ERP system and vice versa.
The new website and ERP systems are currently being implemented and tested for launch during Electronica.
In terms of products, this will be a bumper year for the company with introductions in its enclosures, interconnection and control product lines.
New enclosures being launched at the show by the company include their 71 and 72 series flanged IP66 cases. The 71 series offers a large, robust enclosure with IP66 sealing gasket that is ideal for outdoor applications. Moulded in black, UV stable, UL94-V0 polycarbonate, this series features mounting flanges on the base, recessed cover, PCB mounting bosses in the base and cover and fitted silicone rubber gasket for dust and moisture resistance. Wall-mounted IP66 rated cases in the same series are moulded from durable, impact resistant UV stabilised UL94-V0 polycarbonate featuring mounting flanges on the base, recessed cover with transparent options and captive stainless steel screws threaded into brass inserts.
The company will also launch a new versatile modular DIN rail mounting enclosure that is designed to match instrument cases. Using accessories such as terminal guards and covers from the existing CNMB range, the new instrument cases can be provided as a solid version for custom milling and the front face can be screen printed to customer specifications. Moulded in UL94-V0 polycarbonate, these new instrument cases offer vented top and bottom options and the 100mm depth allows use of large PCBs.
Raspberry Pi enclosures in various colours will also be shown on the company’s stand. Designed to house the iconic credit-card sized low-cost computer via clip-in grooves in the base shell, these enclosures are available in a wide range of mix-and-match colours, enabling users to create an individual look in a similar fashion to accessorising their mobile phones.
Market research has shown this to be a very popular option and the company’s Raspberry Pi enclosures feature all cut-outs pre-cut into the case with optional knock-outs. Rubber feet are fitted as standard and there is a LED light pipe accessory available as an optional extra.
Overall, the company views Electronica as a critical part of the business cycle and gears its product and marketing activity in support of the show. Apart from offering the opportunity to meet up with existing distributors and customers, it is a chance to source new contacts – distributors and explore yet uncovered regions perhaps – to seek out new customers from across the world. New business is out there for those who take the time and patience to seek it out and so the sky really is the limit.
CamdenBoss
