Rockwell Collins to close printed circuit board unit

Citing dropping profitability, Rockwell Collins will shutter its Collins Printed Circuit manufacturing unit, which has been in operation since 1964.

The Cedar Rapids avionics and communications equipment provider will close down printed circuit board production over the next six to nine months, Rockwell Collins spokesman Josh Baynes  said.

"Thorough business analysis shows that over the past several years, the volume and profitability of Collins Printed Circuits has declined steadily," he added.

"Therefore, the business decision has been made to transition our printed wiring board business to a preferred supplier who specializes in printed wiring boards to allow us to focus on our core products while better managing costs and assets."

Baynes said the  shutdown will affect approximately 80 employees, who will have the opportunity to apply for other open positions within the company. Employees will be given a minimum 30 days notice before their last day.

Employee notifications will begin in August, with expected last-day-worked some time between September 2013 and  January 2014.

Outsourcing printed circuit board production is fairly common in the electronics industry.

Apple, currently the most valuable company in the United States, outsources the manufacture of all the components, including printed circuit boards, which are used to create its well known products such as iPhones and iPads.