ENDICOTT -- Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. announced Thursday that it is working with a company in China to produce printed circuit board assemblies for high-volume commercial applications.

EI said it has leased 40,000 square feet of production space in Lorom Industrial Co.'s Shenzhen, China, facility. EI already has installed manufacturing equipment at the site and is ramping up for full production, the company said.

The relationship will enable EI to offer the highest quality products at competitive prices, company President and Chief Executive Officer James J. McNamara Jr. said.

The arrangement also is expected to result in more work from customers who have previously turned elsewhere for these lower-cost capabilities, EI Marketing and Communications Director Theresa Taro said.

"By having an overseas site of our own ... we'll be able to supply the high-volume, lower-cost work we normally would have lost to a low-cost supplier," Taro said.

EI's local work force -- totaling about 1,972 people -- is not expected to increase or decrease as a result of the agreement, she said.

EI employed about the same number -- about 1,950 -- when it took over the microelectronics business from IBM in 2002.

"It will be a positive thing," Taro said about the local impact of the company's efforts in China.

EI said it will provide the materials, technical know-how, training and engineering support to ensure successful production start up.

Lorom, which is based in Taipei, Taiwan, will be responsible for facility maintenance, production staff and general support per EI's specifications and requirements.

EI said it will keep control of the design, new production introduction activity, quality requirements, sales and technical support worldwide for the products.