CNS Precision Assembly

What CNS Precision Assembly does

CNS Precision Assembly is an Australian electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company that provides contract PCB assembly, precision product assembly, and rework services to industrial customers. Operating from a single facility in Hornsby, NSW under parent charity Challenge North Shore Limited (ABN 29 388 533 606), the company runs a turnkey manufacturing model spanning prototype builds through full production runs, using state-of-the-art Mycronic surface mount technology — including the MY300LX pick-and-place machine (120,000 components/hour, down to 0.15mm pitch) and the MY500 solder jet printer — supplemented by through-hole assembly, AOI, vapor phase reflow, Kolb PCB cleaning, conformal coating, and firmware loading. It is also Australia's only NDIS-accredited electronics manufacturer and an Australian Disability Enterprise, with 60%+ of its workforce consisting of supported employees with intellectual disabilities working alongside qualified engineers and technicians.

The company serves a diversified but primarily industrial enterprise customer base across mining (Austdac/Hubbell, Mine Site Technologies, DVOR Systems), defense, rail, industrial controls (Innovec Controls, LX Group), laboratory and analytical instruments (Perten/PerkinElmer), and environmental monitoring (SiteHive), with smaller forays into LED PCB assembly, IoT devices, and non-electronics consumer goods assembly (e.g., Eco Ocean Hair). Revenue is generated through quote-based project pricing on a 14-day payment cycle, with global component sourcing integrated into the offering. GTM is sales-led via a single Technical Sales Specialist, supplemented by ElectroneX trade show participation, LinkedIn/Facebook presence, and a content/blog channel. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, NDIS accreditation, ACNC Registered Charity status, and RoHS-compliant manufacturing credentials, and IPC-610-E Class 2 as a default quality standard. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, no external funding has been raised, and there are no subsidiaries or parent entities outside the parent charity structure.

Name

CNS Precision Assembly

Legal name

Challenge North Shore Limited

Website

https://cns.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CNS Precision Assembly is an Australian B2B contract electronics manufacturer providing PCB assembly, turnkey manufacturing, and rework services from a single Hornsby, NSW facility using Mycronic SMT equipment, while serving as Australia's only NDIS-accredited electronics employer with a 60%+ supported workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

Printed Circuit Boards (3672), Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

PCB Fabrication (Rigid PCBs) (HDAHAOAG)

Keywords

• PCB assembly services
• Contract electronics manufacturing
• Surface mount technology
• Turnkey assembly solutions
• Supported employment manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hornsby

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. PCB Assembly and Manufacturing Services: CNS generates revenue through contract manufacturing of printed circuit board assemblies. Services include surface mount technology (SMT), through-hole assembly, solder jet printing, reflow ovens, conformal coating, testing and inspection. They offer turnkey assembly where they manage all aspects from procurement of parts through to assembly and delivery.
2. Rework and Refurbishment Services: CNS takes non-conforming products and makes them conform to requirements through modification, refurbishment, component replacement, firmware updating and testing. This service addresses issues discovered after products have been shipped or stored.
3. Contract Assembly Services: Precision assembly services for non-electronic products such as sustainable goods (e.g., Eco Ocean Hair hair ties), demonstrating versatility in assembly capabilities beyond PCBs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CNS Precision Assembly is an Australian electronics contract manufacturer that provides PCB (printed circuit board) assembly, surface mount and through-hole assembly, solder jet printing, turnkey/contract manufacturing, LED PCB and IoT device assembly, PCB cleaning and conformal coating, testing and inspection, and rework and refurbishment services. The company also extends its precision assembly capabilities to non-electronic products such as sustainable consumer goods, while employing a workforce where over 60% are people with intellectual disabilities under NDIS supported employment.

Product overview

CNS Precision Assembly is an Australian electronics manufacturing services company offering a comprehensive suite of precision assembly solutions centered around PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly and manufacturing. The core product portfolio is built around Mycronic SMT equipment including the MY300LX pick-and-place system and MY500 solder jet printer, complemented by services such as through-hole assembly, cable assembly, conformal coating, testing, and rework services. The company provides turnkey and contract manufacturing services spanning prototype builds through to full production runs, with specialized capabilities in LED PCB assembly and IoT device manufacturing. Global component sourcing and procurement services are integrated into their offering, enabling complete outsourcing of manufacturing processes from design through delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Placement capability up to 120,000 components per hour
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hymans Valuers & AuctioneersminorOthersSupporter of CNS providing pro-bono or discounted professional valuation and auctioneering services. Part of CNS's broader supporter network.
• Bendigo Bank Community Bank LindfieldcoreOthersCommunity Bank providing financial support including community grants for equipment purchases (height adjustable work benches) and uniform sponsorship. Active supporter of CNS's social enterprise mission.
• Hornsby RSLminorOthersLocal RSL club providing support to CNS as part of community giving programs.
• MinterEllisonminorOthersMajor law firm providing pro-bono or discounted legal services as part of their community support program.
• ScotPac Business FinanceminorOthersBusiness finance provider supporting CNS with financial services.
• InalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNS's disability sector partner organization providing support and advocacy for people with disabilities. Over 60 years of commitment to disability support. Joint annual charity lunch raising over $200,000. CNS facility tours and collaborative programs.
• AustCoverminorOthersNational sponsor of the Inala/CNS Charity Lunch, contributing to fundraising for disability employment programs.
• Nova Cash Flow FinanceminorOthersNational sponsor of the Inala/CNS Charity Lunch.
• MacquarieminorOthersNational sponsor of the Inala/CNS Charity Lunch.
• North Shore BMWminorOthersMajor sponsor of CNS events, providing vehicle-related support for charity events.
• Achieve AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability support organization that refers individuals to CNS for employment opportunities. Collaborative relationship supporting shared mission of disability employment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Qualitel: Qualitel is an Australian EMS firm delivering PCB design, assembly, and box-build services. Comparable to CNS as a domestically focused contract electronics manufacturer serving similar mid-market industrial and instrumentation customers with quote-based, project-driven production.
• Dynamic EMS: Dynamic EMS is an Australian electronics manufacturing services company providing PCB assembly and box-build across industrial and consumer segments. Comparable to CNS in scale, geography, and contract manufacturing model with overlapping customer pain points around component sourcing and quick-turn assembly.
• Sound Manufacturing: Sound Manufacturing is an Australian PCB assembly and electronics contract manufacturer offering SMT, through-hole, and turnkey assembly. Comparable to CNS in scale, service model, and target customer segments across industrial and commercial OEMs.
• Entech Electronics: Entech Electronics is an Australian contract electronics manufacturer offering PCB assembly, prototyping, and small-to-medium volume production. Comparable to CNS in geography and service offering, with overlapping industrial and instrumentation customer base.
• Circuitwise Electronics Manufacturing: Circuitwise Electronics Manufacturing is an Australian EMS provider based in Sydney offering PCB assembly, prototyping, and contract manufacturing services. It is the closest head-to-head peer to CNS — same geography, same customer verticals (industrial, IoT, defense), similar SMT-led service model.

Broad incumbents

• Sanmina: Sanmina is a global EMS provider delivering PCB fabrication, assembly, and integrated solutions to industrial, medical, defense, and aerospace customers. Comparable to CNS's defense and rail customers and PCB assembly service, but as a multi-billion-dollar incumbent rather than a niche Australian provider.
• Flex Ltd: Flex Ltd is a global tier-1 EMS provider offering PCB assembly, box-build, and full supply-chain services across industrial, automotive, healthcare, and aerospace. Comparable to CNS as the broader incumbent in the same service category, but at vastly larger scale and with a global footprint CNS does not match.
• Celestica: Celestica is a global tier-1 EMS provider serving aerospace, defense, industrial, and communications end-markets. Comparable to CNS in the PCB assembly and contract manufacturing category, though at global scale and serving enterprise accounts far larger than CNS's typical customer.
• Jabil: Jabil is a global EMS incumbent offering design, manufacturing, and supply-chain services across diverse end-markets. Relevant as the broad-industry benchmark for PCB assembly and integrated manufacturing services, though CNS operates at a fundamentally smaller scale and in a much narrower geography.

Others

• Soanar (element14 / Farnell): Soanar / element14 is an Australian electronics component distributor and EMS provider. Comparable to CNS as a participant in the Australian electronics manufacturing ecosystem, though its primary business is distribution rather than PCB contract manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CNSPrecisionAssembly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cns-precision-assembly

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CNS Precision Assembly