Founded in 1964, Escod Industries has grown from a small 20,000-square-foot facility in North Myrtle Beach, SC, to one of the largest independent contract manufacturers of cable assemblies, wire harnesses, electromechanical assemblies, box build, and value-added services in the U.S. By developing innovative quality systems and manufacturing processes, Escod Industries has experienced a consistent increase in sales and has broadened its markets to include not only telecommunications, but also data processing, automotive/heavy equipment electronics, and medical instrumentation. By broadening its market reach, Escod has been able to expand its facilities throughout the United States, as it presently has operating facilities in Lake Wales, FL, Taylorsville, NC, and Loris, SC in addition to its N. Myrtle Beach facility.

A new 40,000-square-foot, Insilco Technologies Group facility in El Paso, TX houses equipment for complete cable assembly and box build capability. This recent addition gives us well over 250,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity to serve customers from coast to coast, border to border, and overseas.

A member of the Insilco Technologies Group -- one of the top ten interconnect companies in the U.S. -- Escod is part of a family of companies dedicated to providing technologically advanced products and services to a wide array of high-tech markets. Due to sound investments in its people, technology, equipment, and facilities, Escod has adhered to the Insilco Technologies Group philosophy of growth through outstanding service and has become a leading subcontractor of cabling systems, wiring harnesses, custom over-molding, electromechanical assemblies, and box build. It is our goal to consistently provide exceptional engineering, products, and outsourcing services that exceed customers' expectations.

Escod has been able to achieve its goal and experience its growth by identifying what matters most to its customers -- and doing it better than anyone else. Escod adheres to a zero defects program. Every step of the manufacturing process is checked, monitored, and analyzed to eliminate potential defects that can cause failures. Many key processes feature technical advances that Escod developed internally. This commitment and innovation has led to the implementation of quality programs that will result in ISO certification for the Myrtle Beach, Lake Wales, and Taylorsville locations by end of 1997.

In addition to innovative technology, our growth can be attributed to our employees. Over 40% of our work force have more than twelve years of continuous service. Their experience and expertise with production, tooling, and materials, honed through continuous employee training programs, consistently results in products that meet or exceed customer requirements for reliability and workmanship.

Because of our employees' extensive training and experience, Escod has instituted Statistical Process Control (SPC) to put the quality responsibility directly upon the person doing the job. With SPC, every worker has the tools and knowledge to measure his or her own quality and prevent defects before they occur. Workers consistently monitor and evaluate critical factors in the manufacturing process. Any variation from the standards is adjusted immediately. When adjustments can't be made, a process is stopped. SPC eliminates waste, faulty assemblies, and cuts inspection time. A continuous slow of flawless product is produced that reduces cost.

Service goes beyond the factory and into the field. In the instances when cable assemblies must be adjusted or repaired because of accidents and natural disasters, Escod implements its Emergency Manufacturing Service (EMS) team -- an optional service selected by our customers. A group of experienced, fully trained personnel, the team travels to specified customer sites and repairs the cable assemblies on the spot, within days, if not hours.

Quality alone is not the entire Escod story. There is also a partnering concept in place that means listening to customers, understanding their need, and reacting with finished products and value-added services that contribute a significant bottom line improvement to each customer's end product.

Naturally, Escod provides responsive service for day-to-day customer needs. Quality products are delivered on time, every time, across the street or across the ocean. Escod can also react quickly to special situations, be they rescheduling problems or finding answers fast for implementing a totally new project. This is evidenced by a regular upgrading of the physical plant and equipment.

Corporate growth and the needs of newly acquired executive talent prompted Escod to relocate its corporate headquarters from Morrisville, NC to N. Myrtle Beach, SC. This move was completed in 1994. With new headquarters, and a growing customer base in both core industries and niche markets such as heavy equipment, Escod is well positioned for the remainder of the decade and beyond.