Circuitwise expands in New Zealand with Assembly Specialists deal
Circuitwise Group will expand its operations in New Zealand through the acquisition of Assembly Specialists, based in Christchurch.
The agreement marks Circuitwise's second New Zealand acquisition within a year, following its earlier purchase of Auckland-based Nautech Electronics. The transaction, which remains subject to completion, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.
The acquisition is set to strengthen Circuitwise Group's presence in the region, bringing the total number of its manufacturing sites to three: Sydney, Auckland, and Christchurch. This expansion will result in Circuitwise Group becoming the largest electronics manufacturing service operating entirely within Australasia.
Regional presence
Circuitwise's strategy aims to provide responsive manufacturing support across both Australia and New Zealand. The addition of Assembly Specialists expands its footprint to New Zealand's South Island for the first time, bolstering its ability to serve customers from multiple locations across the two countries.
According to the company, the integration of Assembly Specialists is intended to support Australian and New Zealand businesses seeking greater reliability and agility in their electronics supply chains. Circuitwise highlighted factors such as improved delivery speed, enhanced communication, support for design and manufacturing, and strengthened intellectual property security as key regional advantages.
The company noted that New Zealand's relationship with Australia, under the Closer Economic Relations Agreement, provides a stable operating environment, reducing exposure to geopolitical disputes and tariff fluctuations.
Leadership perspectives
"We are thrilled to welcome ASL into the Circuitwise family. Together, we'll continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients and drive innovation in the electronics manufacturing sector."
This comment from Serena Ross, CEO of Circuitwise Group, highlights the company's focus upon value and innovation in the sector as it incorporates Assembly Specialists into its broader operations.
Chris Woodman, CEO of Assembly Specialists, also commented on the transaction, stating, "Joining the Circuitwise group provides a step change in our offerings to our customers and will provide an increased level of service and value. Aligned with our focus on flexible customer focussed solutions, we look forward to bringing increased levels of customer satisfaction".
Operational continuity
The announcement confirmed that Assembly Specialists will continue to trade under its current brand following the completion of the deal, with its current leadership team remaining in place. According to Circuitwise, planned operational changes will centre on improving productivity and traceability by incorporating Circuitwise's proprietary systems.
The company expects the acquisition to bring benefits to all stakeholders, including staff, management, and customers. The addition of Assembly Specialists' capabilities is intended to complement existing services and technical expertise within the Circuitwise Group.
Market impact
Circuitwise Group stated that after the transaction completes, it will operate three highly automated facilities in Sydney, Auckland, and Christchurch. This network will allow customers to access expanded capabilities and greater supply chain resilience within Australasia's electronics manufacturing market.
Circuitwise Group continues to pursue its mission to provide what it describes as world-class manufacturing services with an emphasis on quality, reliability, and customer responsiveness, leveraging the combined technical capabilities of its expanded regional network.
