LAKE FOREST, CA ― January 2026 ― Semi-Kinetics, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services, opened a new manufacturing facility in Nampa, Idaho and is now hiring as it builds its production team at the new location.

Semi-Kinetics currently operates a 35,000-square-foot facility in Lake Forest, California, which includes production, shipping and receiving, conference rooms, and administrative and management offices. The Nampa facility expands the company’s manufacturing footprint by an additional 30,000-square feet and provides additional capability to support customer programs across a range of industries.

The company is recruiting for the following positions at the Nampa facility:

• SMT Supervisor
• Materials Manager & Handlers / Shipping
• SMT Set-Up / Label
• SMT Operators
• Quality Inspectors
• Electro-Mechanical Assemblers
• Conformal Coating (CC) Technicians
• SMT Touch-Up & Through-Hole Assemblers (Soldering / Hand Assembly)
• Quality Inspectors

Semi-Kinetics operates audit-approved, ESD-compliant, and environmentally controlled production environments. Assembly personnel are trained in ISO awareness and IPC standards, including IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620, and J-STD-001, with instruction provided by a certified IPC trainer on staff.

The company is certified by NSF-ISR to ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and AS9100, and is ITAR registered. Semi-Kinetics builds to IPC Class II and Class III standards and offers fully RoHS-compliant assembly processes, serving customers in medical, defense, semiconductor, and test and measurement markets.

Recent investments in equipment, facilities, and personnel support Semi-Kinetics’ ongoing efforts to strengthen manufacturing capability across both locations.

Candidates interested in opportunities at the Nampa facility can learn more by visiting www.semikinetics.com.

New Milford, CT — February 6, 2026 — Vision Engineering, a global leader in ergonomic optical inspection and non-contact measurement technologies, is proud to celebrate 45 years of continuous business operations in the United States, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to American manufacturing, innovation, and customer support.

Founded in 1958 in Surrey, United Kingdom, Vision Engineering Ltd. initially supplied advanced quality control equipment to the defense, aerospace, and rapidly expanding electronics industries. Between 1960 and 1970, the company’s products were exported to the United States, supporting the strong growth of American electronics and defense manufacturing.

As demand for Vision Engineering solutions increased, founder Rob Freeman established a joint venture in 1973 with Kulicke & Soffa U.S.A., operating as Vision Systems Inc., to support OEM integration and distribution. Based in Ivyland, Pennsylvania, this partnership marked the company’s first formal presence in the U.S. market. In 1974, Vision Systems Inc. became wholly owned by Vision Engineering Ltd. and relocated to New York.

In 1981, Vision Engineering Inc. was officially founded, and in 1982 the company established its long-term North American headquarters in New Milford, Connecticut, where it remains today. Initially, the site housed sales, service, technical support, and a small machine shop, set up by Rob Freeman and Robin Gable, who began his career as an apprentice in the optical shop at Vision Engineering’s UK headquarters.

A defining moment in the company’s history came in 1994 with the launch of Mantis®, the world’s first eyepiece-less stereo microscope. Designed to improve comfort, accuracy, and productivity, Mantis rapidly gained global adoption for assembly and quality control applications, particularly in electronics, telecommunications, and medical device manufacturing. As demand grew, the New Milford facility became the dedicated manufacturing site for Mantis and Mantis is still built there today.

Over the years, the company’s product portfolio has grown to include a wide range of optical and digital stereo microscopes, 4K digital inspection systems, and non-contact video measuring systems, each designed to enhance precision, reduce operator fatigue, and improve workflow efficiency. Innovations such as patented Dynascope® technology, advanced 3D optics, integrated digital imaging, and high-resolution metrology solutions have helped customers improve quality, consistency, and throughput. Today, Vision Engineering’s U.S. operations support customers throughout North and Central America, delivering application expertise, service, and technical support to industries including electronics, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and precision engineering.

“This milestone is ultimately about people,” said Bernie Sherwill, Vice President & General Manager, North America. “It’s about the engineers, technicians, assemblers, service teams, and support staff who show up every day with skill, pride, and care for what they build, and about the customers who trust us to be part of their process. The relationships we’ve formed over 45 years are the true foundation of this company, and they remain our greatest strength.”

“As we celebrate 45 years in the United States, our focus remains firmly on the future,” said Richard Nagel, VP of Sales and Marketing at Vision Engineering. “Our success is driven by a forward-looking approach, developing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern production environments while supporting the people who rely on them every day.”

To mark this milestone, Vision Engineering will be launching a series of commemorative initiatives throughout the year, including customer spotlights, historical retrospectives, special promotions, and educational events highlighting the company’s long-standing commitment to American manufacturing.

THAILAND – Bluechips Microhouse Co., Ltd., member of the Zollner Group, has today marked the official opening of a new cleanroom facility on their campus in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The expansion highlights Zollner’s continuous commitment to expanding capacity and capabilities across international markets.

Construction of the new cleanroom building began in June 2025 and, due to cooperation across international Zollner sites, achieved an ambitious schedule to be constructed and certified as ISO Class 7 within six months. The 1000m2 facility has been built as a standalone structure, allowing for stringent adherence to cleanroom standards for logistics, assembly and packing.

The opening ceremony was conducted in the presence of both Bluechips and Zollner management along with our strategic partners who will be served by the new facility. After receiving a tour of both the main factory and the newly built cleanroom, guests were invited to an authentic Lanna market, celebrating both the Thai and German culture that has defined the collaboration between Zollner and Bluechips.

Markus Aschenbrenner, Member of the Managing Board, highlighted the crucial role that expansion in Thailand will play in Zollner’s strategic outlook going forward, stating: “More than ever, our customers need Zollner to offer global solutions. By strengthening our manufacturing network here in Thailand, we continue to ensure a reliable collaboration with our key partners.”

The new cleanroom facility marks the first expansion since the acquisition of Bluechips in July 2025 and is an endorsement of Zollner’s commitment to an expanded global footprint, customer proximity and increased capabilities.

Eindhoven, Netherlands — January 2026 — Keiron Printing Technologies, a global innovator in advanced electronics manufacturing solutions, today announced the appointment of PIT Equipment Services as a sales and technical support representative for its LiFT (Laser-Induced Forward Transfer) technology. PIT will work closely with manufacturers to evaluate, implement, and optimize Keiron’s fully digital solder paste printing solutions in production environments.

Under the leadership of Don Dennison, President of PIT Equipment Services, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering expert representation and hands-on support for advanced electronics manufacturing technologies. With more than 41 years of industry experience, PIT provides deep process knowledge and practical guidance that help manufacturers improve yields, reduce risk, and stay competitive.

Keiron’s LiFT technology replaces traditional stencil- and nozzle-based solder paste deposition with a laser-driven, non-contact digital process, eliminating mechanical contact points that often contribute to variability and defects. Designed for modern high-mix and miniaturized electronics manufacturing, the technology enables precise, repeatable solder paste deposition using standard materials and digital design data.

PIT Equipment Services will support customers through every stage of adoption – from process evaluation and proof-of-concept testing to on-site implementation and optimization – ensuring manufacturers can fully realize the benefits of digital solder paste printing.

“Keiron’s LiFT technology addresses real process challenges we see every day on the factory floor,” said Don Dennison, President of PIT Equipment Services. “It gives manufacturers a practical path to improve paste consistency, speed up changeovers, and reduce the dependencies that come with traditional printing methods. We’re excited to help customers understand where this technology fits and how to apply it successfully.”

Dennison also serves as Director of Technology for SMTA, where he is widely recognized as a leading authority on electronics assembly processes and manufacturing best practices.

For more information about PIT Equipment Services and its offerings, visit www.pit-equipmentservices.com.

For more information about Keiron’s industry revolutionizing technology, visit www.keirontechnologies.com.