METHUEN, MA – Electronic Instrumentation and Technology has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Methuen, MA, manufacturing facility from Suntron.

The deal includes 45 to 50 employees and three active SMT lines, among other equipment.

The 45,000 sq. ft. facility, which Suntron opened in 2010, will help EIT grow its presence in the Northeast, the electronics manufacturer says, while offering existing customers new services.

The Methuen facility has capabilities of Class II and Class III printed circuit board production and small box build assembly.

The site was has some qualifications, notably AS 9100, that EIT lacks at its plants in Danville and Sterling, VA, director of sales Jim Raymont told CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY. EIT also liked that the plant can perform two to three day turns, he said.

EIT also operates four facilities in Virginia and now has about 240,000 sq. ft. of facility space.

The Methuen staff will become EIT’s Northeast Operations, and manufacturing will continue in the existing ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100 certified and ITAR registered facility. "We are committed to the region. Over the next few months we will evaluate whether its the best facility for us."