Solectron , pioneered the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) category in 1977 and continues to lead the industry with ongoing innovation and expansion of services to meet the growing business complexities of its partners, original equipment manufacturer’s (OEMs). Solectron’s first customer designed and distributed an electronic controller for solar energy equipment (“Solectron” is derived from combining the words “solar” and “electronics”). However, under the leadership of Solectron founder, Roy Kusomoto, Solectron saw a larger opportunity emerging from the growing number of electronics companies in California's Silicon Valley.