SMT - Names in the News

From social networking and Website updates to personnel appointments and board memberships, companies in the electronics community are integrating person-to-person and technological outreach. Many announced contract wins and supplier awards as well. Following are the announcements from SchmartBoard and Wyndstorm, Promation, Valor, Zuken, Mara Technologies and Assembléon, STI Electronics, CAC Inc. and LCOA, Digi-Key, Avnet, Intel, Everett Charles Technologies, and Pulse.

Everett Charles Technologies (ECT) Semiconductor Test Group (STG) added to its recently redesigned Website with a section dedicated to STG, at www.ectinfo.com/stg. The section hosts current product and capability information as well as a contactor request for quote (RFQ) service, and information about worldwide support locations and upcoming exhibitions.

Also redesigning its Website is Pulse, a Technitrol Company, which upgraded its interface to enable better navigation through available components, assemblies, and subassemblies in the antennae, connector, LAN, telecom, power, RF and wireless, automotive, military and aerospace, Excelsus-brand telephone and internet components and accessories, and Sonion advanced microacoustic and micromechanical component groups. There are two prominent new features: an applications section with interactive block diagrams of Triple Play and NICs for servers, and a section for latest press releases and product updates, specific to each product group. A quote/sample form is available to complete and submit via e-mail for product queries. White papers, published articles, special publications, industry links, and position papers are still located in the library section. Links connect to contact information, literature request forms, and environmental compliance information. The Pulse 2008 product catalog, in PDF format, is available; along with corporate, product, and award news; and career opportunities. There are additional plans for the site such as designing new Web applications and including more product images and user account areas. The upgraded site is available at www.pulseeng.com.

In online social networking, Wyndstorm Corporation will help circuit prototyping system manufacturer SchmartBoard Inc. create an innovative online community and training venue for electronics enthusiasts, from prototyping engineers to hobbyists and students. The site is scheduled to launch in September 2008 at www.solderbynumbers.com and is presently seeking beta testers. Integrating features from its turnkey social media platform, Wyndstorm will develop an online environment that enables electronics topics and circuit design to be discussed in online forums, clubs, and blogs. Users will be able to provide reviews, rate individual circuit designs and designers; manage event calendars; and create and manage circuit design libraries. Wyndstorm also will provide a customized online circuit design and construction feature for collaborative work. More information can be found at www.schmartboard.com and www.wyndstorm.com.

In personnel news, Avnet Technology Solutions, an operating group of Avnet Inc., promoted Jeff Bawol to president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. As president, Bawol will be responsible for the strategic direction and growth of Avnet's technology solutions business in the region, including overseeing day-to-day operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. He will report to John Paget, president, Avnet Technology Solutions, Global. Bawol brings almost 30 years of experience at Avnet to the role. Bawol began his career with Avnet in 1977 as a customer service representative with Hamilton Avnet Electronics. With Avnet's purchase of Hall-Mark Electronics in 1993, Bawol became vice president of the South Central area for the combined Hamilton Hall-Mark business. In 1996, he joined the Tandy Corp. as vice president of sales, running their Commercial Sales Group. He returned to Avnet Computer Marketing in 1998 as vice president of sales for what was then Hall-Mark Integrated Solutions. He helped establish and grow the Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, Enterprise Software and Storage Solutions group (ESS). For more information, visit www.ats.avnet.com.

Less than two years after the company restructured with a focus on marketing and information technology cuts, Intel Corporation's board of directors elected Deborah S. Conrad, John N. Johnson, and Diane M. Bryant as corporate officers in these business areas. Conrad was named VP and GM of the Intel Corporate Marketing Group, responsible for brand management, product positioning and launch management, marketing research, sales and integrated marketing communications, advertising, and promotional campaigns. Prior to leading the Corporate Marketing Group, Conrad created and directed Team Apple. She joined Intel in 1986. Johnson is VP and chief information officer responsible for Intel's Information Technology organization. Johnson joined Intel in 1981 and has held technical positions in sales, marketing, and business development. He received his bachelor's degree in inter-disciplinary engineering from Purdue University. Bryant is VP and chief information officer. Bryant and Johnson are now jointly responsible for Intel's Information Technology organization. Previously, she was vice president of the Digital Enterprise Group and general manager of Server Platforms Group, responsible for Intel's server enterprise business. Bryant joined Intel in 1985 and holds four U.S. patents. For more information, visit www.intel.com.

CAC Inc. and Laminating Company of America (LCOA) added Rocky Hilburn as product development manager, responsible for commercializing new products for both companies in their worldwide markets. Hilburn was most recently the director of technical marketing for Ticer Technologies. Earlier he was the new products development manager for Gould Electronics. He also held key management roles in manufacturing, quality, and engineering in the electronics and printed circuits manufacturing industry. This addition demonstrates CAC and LCOA's commitment to manufacturing and supplying innovative products that solve manufacturing issues faced by today's printed circuit fabricators, according to representatives. For more information, visit www.lcoa.com and www.cac-inc.com.

Extending its domestic reach, PROMATION Inc. appointed MARTEC as its authorized sales representative in the states of Ga., Ala., Tenn., and Miss. MARTEC's Bill Harp, Scott Gammer, and Steve Henegar will represent the company. For more information, visit www.pro-mation-inc.com.

Zuken announced that European missile systems conglomerate MBDA adopted the company's defense capabilities for tool harmonization and multinational schematic and PCB design. The design centers within MBDA originated from many different predecessor organizations across Europe. Having experienced success in France with Zuken's cabling solution E^³.cable, MBDA chose Zuken to deliver a single integrated design platform across Europe. The initial five-year agreement with MBDA sees the company moving all PCB design, schematic capture, and electrical design to Zuken's enterprise-wide modular PCB design solution, CR-5000 and E^³.cable. The first phase will begin in France and the U.K., later leading to full rollout in Italy, and finally Germany. For more information, visit www.zuken.com.

In an equipment win, Assembléon sold four pick-and-place systems to long-time customer Mara Technologies Inc.. Mara is moving into a new building in May, and will install the additional machines along with three other lines. Mara ordered an Assembléon A-Series AX-501 and two M-series, MG-8R (ITF). The EMS provider also purchased two Assembléon YGP high-speed screen printers. Mara also will replace its seven-zone reflow ovens with five new ten-zone Vitronix reflow ovens once the new lines are installed. For more information, visit www.assembleon.com.

Another software validation, Valor Computerized Systems Ltd installed its vManage software at World Fair, a Hong Kong-based electronics manufacturer. It will cover warehouse inventory management through SMT processing, manual assembly, box build, test, and rework. vManage will interface with various machines at World Fair, including Fuji, Yamaha, DEK, and Omron. The EMS provider cited Valor's system with total coverage of factory operation ranging from incoming material, work order tracking, and shop floor control to testing and sorting of finish goods. vManage provides a complete shop floor control and material management solution that is a key component of Valor's manufacturing execution suite. For more information, visit www.worldfair-group.com.hk and www.valor.com.

STI Electronics was awarded a contract by IPC — Association Connecting Electronic Industries to develop the certification course based on the newly revised IPC-7711B/7721B, "Rework, Repair, and Modification of Electronic Assemblies." STI previously developed four other IPC certification program courses. The elements of this rework and repair certification course were established by a committee of industry representatives. This two-tier "train the trainer" program includes certification and recertification elements for both Certified IPC Trainers (CIT) and Certified IPC Application Specialists (CIS). Beta testing of the CIT course was conducted at STI's facility in Madison, Ala. A CIS beta course is scheduled for June. IPC expects to release new course materials by August 2008 after approval by the industry technical training committee. For more information, visit www.stielectronics.com.

At the Electronic Distribution Show and Conference in Las Vegas, Digi-Key Corporation was awarded Bourns' Distributor of the Year Overall, C&K Components' Great Effort during Our Transition Year, Cherry Switch's Partners in Growth, Cooper Bussmann's Outstanding Sales Growth, Emerson Electric's Top Distributor Award, FCI's Partnership of the Year, Grayhill's Distributor of the Year, Johanson Dielectric's Distributor of the Year, Keystone's Platinum Award, Omron's Distributor of the Year, Optek's Distributor of the Year, Panasonic Electric Works' Catalog Distributor of the Year, Qualtek Electronics' Distributor of the Year, TDK's Record Sales Growth, TDK/Lambda's Most Impressive Performance, Taiyo Yuden's Distributor of the Year, and Vishay's Catalog Distributor of the Year awards. For more information, see www.digikey.com.

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