INTERNATIONAL COMPONENTS CORPORATION CELEBRATES FOUR DECADES OF EXCELLENCE
Today marks leading rechargeable solutions provider’s 40th anniversary
CHICAGO—On this day in 1967, Alan Shure and Jim Gaza founded a Chicago-based manufacturing company that would eventually redefine the rechargeable battery industry forever.
First contracted by Igarashi Electric Works in the late 1960s to develop and manufacture miniature DC motors, ICC has increased its breadth and depth of operations exponentially over the past 40 years.
Shortly after the company’s 20th year of operation, ICC unveiled a new business plan to become a world-class battery charger manufacturer and to phase out its legacy product line. The breakthrough came when ICC developed the Intellicharger battery charger for Motorola. Due to its overwhelming success, ICC was quickly inked as the major supplier of battery chargers for Motorola’s entire cellular phone line. The partnership became the building block that enabled ICC to be considered the industry resource for chargers and batteries.
Today, ICC is a recognized global leader in providing leading industry expertise in the design and development of higher efficiency, higher power density supplies, low power desktop and multi bay chargers, battery management design including fuel gauging, safety, control and communication protocols as well as, custom Li-Ion, Li-Polymer, and NiMh battery solutions.
“We have evolved from what was once a small distribution company to one of the leading manufacturers of rechargeable solutions in the world,” said ICC President Stephen McClure. “We are extremely proud of our long-standing tradition of excellence as well as how we have positioned ourselves for future growth and success.”
ICC currently boasts facilities in eight locations on three continents with over 1000 employees worldwide.
Growth and Evolution
As early as 1968, ICC effectively set its global expansion in motion by establishing operations in Japan and Hong Kong. While growth continued and ICC became recognized as a leader in providing rechargeable solutions, expansions were needed and facilities were completed in Germany in 1972 followed by Qing Xi, China (Fabricators International Ltd) in 1986 and Shenzhen, China in 2001. Additionally, ICC formed a partnership in India with Crompton Greaves and opened ICIL in 1993. In 1994, ICC expanded to the UK, providing operations worldwide.
Along the way, several key acquisitions were made to bolster its product line and poise ICC for ongoing success. The most recent acquisition of Elpac Power Systems in 2005 provided ICC with the capability to provide customers with high quality power supplies and complete their product line for system solutions.
According to McClure, ICC is currently expanding its product mix and offerings and will continue to acquire companies that not only add to ICC’s existing product line, but expand upon its value chain. “The Elpac distribution channel has already been a significant source of opportunities,” said McClure. “Going forward in 2007, Elpac will partner with a leading manufacturer, PEI Genesis, to provide value-added connector products for all power supplies.”
Recent Innovation
In 2003, ICC launched the first 15-minute charger for round cells developed for a leading battery manufacturer. In 2006, ICC introduced VVT™ technology and In-Pack charge control for Li-Ion custom solutions, providing leading-edge technology for safer, more reliable battery pack designs as well as faster charging solutions.
Elpac’s Double Quasi Resonant Converter (DQRC) technology, also introduced in 2006, provides innovative technology that ensures higher efficiency and higher power density for commercial and medical both open frame and desktop power supplies.
Future Developments
ICC’s Guangzhou Design Center (China) is currently under development and will be finalized this year. According to McClure, this new facility will enhance the company’s ability to add talented engineers to its existing staff including software, electrical, and mechanical engineering. “The new design center is just one of many initiatives that we envision will provide us depth and breadth in engineering and product development,” said McClure.
Capital improvements in both ICC’s Shenzhen factory for power and its Qing Xi factory for batteries and chargers are expected to expand the company’s capabilities to include additional lines, testing and molding equipment. According to McClure, these improvements should substantially increase ICC’s ability to include both high volume and low volume manufacturing.
“ICC will continue to aggressively push forward—building a company that evolves to meet the demands of our growing customer base,” said McClure. “ICC’s high quality, technology driven solutions backed by our superior customer service, allows our customers a complete solution from a single company.”
About ICC
Founded in 1967, International Components Corporation (www.iccus.com) is a privately held developer and manufacturer of custom battery charger and rechargeable battery technology solutions for the Medical, Communications, Handheld Data, Portable Power-Tool, Digital Camera and Consumer Round Cell markets.
Contact
Michelle Martucci
708-316-4420