Hi-tech palmtop contract clinched

Psion made its name with hand-held computers

A Chinese company based in south Wales has won a prestigious multi-million pound contract to make hand-held computers.

The devices are already being used by Swiss Railways to keep the trains running on time, and are also being tested for use in hospitals.

Axiom based in Newbridge has been awarded the deal by Psion, who are also well-known for manufacturing palm-top computers.

The new contract, which was officially announced by the Welsh Secretary Peter Hain on Monday afternoon, will secure 44 extra jobs at the plant.

Paul Pursey, Managing Director of Axiom Manufacturing Services, said the Psion win was their "largest to date".

He said: "Axiom is steadily increasing its market share and aims to become one of the UK's leading medium-sized contract electronics manufacturers."

It is a tribute to the skills of the management and workforce at Axiom that they can compete with the very best the world market can offer David Astles, Psion

Axiom Manufacturing Services used to employ 500 people making electronics goods for Aiwa.

But a downturn last year saw it being taken over by Chinese electronics specialists Axiom, saving 180 jobs.

Now they have been awarded a contract to make advanced devices for business use by the UK firm Psion.

This will take the total number of staff to 224 - an increase of 18%.

David Astles, Director of Manufacturing for Psion Teklogix, said they chose Axiom because they have the "technological expertise and infrastructure required to build our product to the exacting standards Psion Teklogix expects".

"It is a tribute to the skills of the management and workforce at Axiom that they can compete with the very best the world market can offer," he added.