In the electronics manufacturing industry, timeto- market and time-to-volume is the name of the game besides precision. The widespread trend of developing smaller but sophisticated products is also indicative of this exceptional competency and technology that enables compelling solutions. Hence, the margin of error, down to the smallest screws and components in developing these devices, is zero for manufacturers, as they strive to stay relevant in the extremely dynamic and competitive marketplace. To this end, Unisteel, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of precision engineered components, makes the cut with its end-to-end integrated solutions for precision manufacturers. “We are a one stop solutions provider of advanced application, development and manufacturing of precision miniature components,” states George Poh, CEO at Unisteel.

In order to meet clients’ stringent quality requirements, the company offers bespoke fastening solutions (as small as M0.6) with comprehensive in-house capabilities pertaining to design and development, tooling fabrication and manufacturing. “We produce ten of million miniature screws of different kinds every day according to clients’ requirements,” informs George. Further, Unisteel also offers an array of manufacturing capabilities with state-of-the-art technologies, including cold forming, metal stamping, CNC machining, wire forming and plastic injection molding, enabling clients to create highly accurate and detailed components. However, what differentiates Unisteel from other players in the industry is its comprehensive range of in-house surface coating expertise and capabilities (Nickel, Zinc, EN, Electro & chemical polishing, PVD), including proprietary surface treatment such as UNI-SEAL®, UNI-PATCH®, UNI-LUBE®, ranging from cosmetic finishes that improve aesthetics to treatments that enhance product reliability and performance. The technology developed by Unisteel has been time-tested, for example the Uni-Lube® is an ultra-clean lubricating polymer coating that has been used widely by the Hard Disk Drives OEMs in the last 15 years to enhance the performance of fastening.

Apart from its solutions, Unisteel also renders value engineering services, it always strives to understand clients’ application and to reduce the total cost for the clients’ products through total cost of ownership. The company creates value for clients with cost savings through innovation, automation and productivity improvement.

An instance that substantiates such value engineering is a success story of a high-volume complex metal component for an electronic device, Unisteel succeeded in helping client to switch the production from using CNC machining technology to cold forming and automated 3D transfer stamping technology, resulted in significantly lower product costs through productivity improvement and reducing raw materials usage, which also helps in sustainability. “We want to be the preferred development supplier of our clients, therefore it’s important we are actively engaged in the front-end design of clients’ new products and work together with them to produce cost-effective components without compromising the quality. Every aspect of the cost and quality will be challenged and addressed during the early development stage before the design is locked down” informs George. The company has a dedicated team of technical development professionals that help the clients effortlessly wade through the design and manufacturing challenges. To this end, Unisteel conducts technical seminars for its clients’ engineers in order to educate them on the most effective design and solutions for their components to ensure the manufacturing of flawless, high-performance products. In essence, Unisteel’s in-depth engineering capability and DFM services, along with its value engineering, enables them to support its clients’ needs more fully.

Established in 1988 as a distributor of fasteners, Unisteel started its own manufacturing unit in 1995, listed in the Singapore Exchange in 2000, acquired and privatized by KKR in 2008, became a member of SFS Group (listed in the Swiss Stock Exchange) in 2012. Headquartered in Singapore, today, the company has grown from a distributor to become a leading manufacturer of precision engineered component specialist with a total workforce of approx. 3000 employees, strong global network of sales and manufacturing operations in China and Malaysia, serving key market segments such as mobile devices, hard disk drives, lifestyle electronics and Medtech.

Unisteel’s operating DNA is well demonstrated by its 7C spirit that includes Commitment and passion, Can-do spirit, Creative thinking, Collective effort, Cost consciousness, Change and improvement, and Charging speed that has helped the company to carve a niche for itself in the industry. In its pursuit of business excellence, the company is committed to protecting the environment and strives to reduce its carbon footprint by employing several sustainable practices. There is a clearly defined sustainability roadmap which will ensure a continuous and measurable reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions, for example the installation of the solar PV panels in manufacturing plants of the company in Malaysia (completed in January 2022) and in China (work-in-progress). Alongside, Unisteel is currently expanding its manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia and India to support the business growth.