Our Global Strategic 
Manufacturing Alliance

July is a busy month at the factory. 100% components are being received on site after huge effort from the supply chain team to achieve this critical milestone. Also it means the assembly line is now running at the highest capacity to date. As this is the first time we have taken CA-1 through the industrial NPI process, we have taken a thorough and detailed approach on every single assembly step. Each component being added to CA-1 is reviewed and recorded through the assembly steps. Each wire we have connected is being tested and validated. This set us up a strong foundation for the volume ramp up. 

‍

Component testing & preparation
All key components are now being tested at component level so it is ready for next steps. A significant amount of components have gone through the technical pre-configuration process so they are ready to be assembled into the sub-assembly level. This ensures we have traceability of all key components within the system.

‍

Assembly progress
Several core sub-assembly modules are now completed. They are now going through testing procedures to ensure performance is at its highest level.

Core system integration
We have started integrating and validating systems from several core suppliers at modular level. Including Robot arm, temperature control system and dishwashing systems. 

‍

Deployment preparation
We have not only focused on getting the product built. The production facility has been busy supporting what will be happening throughout the development phase of the CA-1 at the customer’s site. This includes but not limited to Packaging preparation to minimise the installation time, Producing maintenance stock so we have speedy response and recovery infrastructure, Logistic preparation so we have capability of delivery CA-1 to anywhere in the world!

‍

Keeping progress on track
Circus group and Celestica team has been fully integrated and performing at the highest level. The governance framework, simultaneous engineering and seamless communication has leveraged the potential of collaboration between Europe, North America and Asia. But we are not stopping here. Next month the Circus group technical team will be present onsite in the factory to do the final push of CA-1 rolling off the production line. More exciting updates to come!

‍

As of June the CA-1 serial production is now in full execution mode after the intense product engineering and manufacturing engineering phase. We are starting to see the full speed of CA-1 serial production coming to reality after the intense preparation of factory facility and supply chain preparation work. 

‍

Global Supply chain
‍Key supplier nomination completed. Final DFM document released to supplier. Parts starting to be received in the production facility. Intense supply chain engagement with all suppliers happened with onsite visits and frequent reviews to ensure timely delivery of all components. In total more than 29,000 components per CA-1 are being shipped from all over the world to our production facility.

Quality control
All inbound goods are being inspected 100% by a quality team to ensure highest quality for the serial production. Unqualified parts are being identified and isolated from the process. Supplier quality engineering teams are in close contact with the Circus engineering team and suppliers to validate all quality related engineering actions are closed off before starting assembly. 

‍

Serial production testing procedure
‍The Circus team has spent a huge amount of effort establishing the step by step automated testing procedure that will be used in all parts of production processes in serial production. This includes testing protocols all the way from component level, sub-assembly level and full system level functional testing. This ensures again we achieve the highest product quality when we deliver the CA-1 to our customer. 

‍

Start of first assembly
‍Benefiting from our modular architecture and DFM mindset during the design phase, we were able to kick off sub-assembly of core CA-1 modules ahead of schedule. This proves that the manufacturing processes established in the previous phase are of high quality. This also allows us having additional time for functional validation and testing.

‍

May marked the start of an exciting new chapter: We began full-scale production at Celestica’s Suzhou facility—an achievement shaped by months of strategic planning, engineering alignment, and collaboration to support global growth.

‍

Production Line Implementation

• Installed advanced automation equipment tailored to our standards, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality.
• Conducted operator training to enable a smooth ramp-up and steady output.
• Finalized process quality checks, risk assessments, and improvement frameworks.
• Over 1,100 equipment items are being delivered for CA-1 phase one, with installation on track at the Circus Group hall in Suzhou.
• Manufacturing processes, work instructions, and factory layout are fully established.

‍

Senior Management Visit: Strengthening Our Partnership
In parallel, Celestica’s senior leadership visited our Munich showroom—reinforcing our shared vision and strategic partnership. Together, we discussed:

• Deeper collaboration in engineering, supply chain, and quality.
• Scaling production volumes to meet growing demand.
• Joint initiatives for innovation and operational excellence.

‍

Ready for Launch
With Celestica’s world-class manufacturing and our innovative product design, we are ready to deliver at scale—meeting customer needs with reliability and precision. Strong executive commitment on both sides ensures long-term success.

‍

April was a pivotal month, marked by the culmination of months of engineering rigor: finalizing our Bill of Materials (BOM) and technical drawings which marked readiness for serial production of a new CA-1 generation 4 model.

‍

Highlights

• Completed and validated a comprehensive BOM covering every part required for serial production—ensuring no detail was left to chance.
• Executed system-level software testing, verifying mechanical fit, performance under stress, and compliance with global safety standards.
• Delivered all final design documentation, ready for seamless handover to the production floor.
• 3 Core components design released, prototype built completed in Celestica USA and Malaysia site, successfully delivered to Circus. 
• Circus group introduced the first Generation 4 CA-1 with new serial production design intent in Munich. 
• 3244 line items in BOM released with total part count at 33922.
• 1150 drawings released and approved by Circus group. 
• 1124 quotations and POs being processed within the supply chain team. 
• CA-1 is ready for serial production.

‍

Why This Matters
By locking down every detail, we’re eliminating potential risks and ensuring production readiness. It’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to delivering the best possible product, on time and at scale.

‍

In March, we proudly hosted Celestica’s dedicated Chinese engineering team in Munich, bringing collaboration to a new level.

‍

Deep Dive Workshops

• Conducted intensive technical sessions covering every aspect of the product design.
• Shared insights on process readiness, risk management, and quality control frameworks.
• Fostered open communication and knowledge-sharing, ensuring seamless coordination across continents.
• Technical exchange to ensure a mature manufacturing process. The manufacturing team from the factory gained hands-on experience on how the product is working. Established further understanding of the manufacturing processes for CA-1. 
• Deepdive sessions between the Celestica’s manufacturing team and Circus’ Prototyping production team ensure all the lessons learned are reflected in the factory manufacturing process.
  
  

Strengthening Collaboration
This visit reinforced the trust and respect between our teams—key ingredients for a partnership that will deliver consistent, high-quality products at scale.

January marked a critical phase in our partnership: ensuring that every element of our design and engineering aligns seamlessly with production readiness.

‍

Key Highlights

• Progressed prototype builds with initial test runs, gathering essential data to refine performance.
  
• Conducted design verification milestones—confirming mechanical integrity, compliance, and functionality.
  
• Continued aligning on production BOMs and technical drawings to support a smooth and scalable ramp-up.
  
• The Industrialisation phase kicked off. Technical data transferred to the Celestica engineering team and Supply chain team. 
  
  • Key progresses including Mechanical drawing update of all components. 
  • BOM establishment to suit the manufacturing environment. 
  • Supply chain establishment with international and local suppliers. 
  • 3 core modules enter the co-engineering phase for industrialisation. 

‍

Building Confidence
This phase underscored our shared commitment to quality and engineering excellence, laying a rock-solid foundation for the next stages of production.

‍

In November, our leadership team visited Celestica’s Suzhou facility - a key moment to align on the path from prototype to high-volume production.

‍

Factory Technical Meeting
We aligned on core production topics:

• Test development and validation to ensure top product performance.
• Quality management embedded across the entire process.
• Engineering change management to support agility and ongoing improvement.

‍

Factory Tour & Capabilities Deep Dive
We explored key capabilities:

• Advanced automation lines and mechanical assembly expertise.
• Warehouse logistics and rigorous Incoming Quality Control (IQC).
• Met the dedicated local engineering team focused solely on Circus Group’s production.

‍

Why Suzhou?
Celestica Suzhou stands for manufacturing excellence - combining strict process control, high quality standards, and strong IP protection. Their deep commitment to confidentiality helps us protect our competitive edge.

At Electronica 2024, Circus Group marked a transformative milestone: the official kickoff of our partnership with Celestica after a rigorous global manufacturing tender process.

‍

Why Celestica?

To scale our technology globally, we needed more than a supplier—we needed a strategic partner. Celestica stood out for several key reasons:

• Unmatched Expertise: With 25+ years of experience supporting top tech brands, Celestica brings design-for-manufacturing capabilities and a proven record in complex mechanical assemblies—aligning seamlessly with our quality and roadmap expectations.
• Global Scalability: Celestica’s $7.96B in revenue and operations in over 40 sites across 16 countries provide the manufacturing footprint we need. Their advanced supply chain infrastructure ensures we can reliably meet global demand.
• Engineering Excellence: With 26,000+ employees and Centers of Excellence in robotics and automation, Celestica’s engineering teams collaborate closely from design to volume production—delivering quality, speed, and reliability.
• Customer-Centric Solutions: Celestica supports over 100 customers with not just manufacturing, but also product lifecycle services like repair, warranties, field service, and data-driven optimization—crucial for uptime and satisfaction.

‍

Engineering Scope & Setup

In this critical setup phase, we focused on:

• Selecting cutting-edge machinery ready for the shift from prototype to scale.
• Structuring a streamlined Bill of Materials (BOM) for production readiness.
• Establishing a shared engineering framework for smooth collaboration and proactive problem-solving.

‍