Blackberry 2001 Annual Report Download - page 8

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Manufacturing
Our manufacturing team successfully scaled production levels to match increased demand
over the past year without compromising quality. We have purchased a significantly larger
manufacturing facility and expect it to be operational later this year. This new facility will
increase capacity from approximately one million units per year to over six million and will
be capable of manufacturing our current products as well as next-generation products. We
expect this new facility to support our growth over the next several years.
We believe our strategy of manufacturing RIM’s products in-house remains correct. The
benefits of integrating manufacturing with research and development, maintaining tight
control over quality and closely managing relationships with suppliers directly has been
strategic and effective.
Partnerships and Alliances
RIM has been able to successfully leverage partnerships and alliances due to our strategy
of enabling and extending the business plans of our partners rather than placing ourselves
in contention with other members of the value chain. To be integrated with the wireless
plan of so many carriers, computer manufacturers, software companies, portals and Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) is a testament to the fact that RIM is seen as an enabler of their
business plans.
In addition to channels and customers, RIM also partners with strategic suppliers.
Incorporating suppliers into our plans and vision early in the design process has produced
significant benefits, including preferred access to the best and newest component and chip
technologies.
>6
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