Press Releases
Atlanta – ECIA is pleased to announce that Monika Lamud is joining the Association. Monika is a systems and operations professional with a background in membership-based organizations, nonprofits, and enterprise environments.
“We welcome Monika to the team to manage our technology systems and be the main point of contact for members and staff with questions about the website, member portal and access to our learning management system for PACE courses. ECIA members are at the leading edge of technology and much of our membership value in research and training is delivered through our online platform,” commented Donna Valore, ECIA Director of Administration. “Monika’s background is in systems management, documentation, and cross-functional coordination, supporting teams through both day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives. She will be a valuable addition to our team going forward.”
Monika graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and lives in Florida. She most recently worked as Association Software Systems Analyst with the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA).
Yamaha Robotics has supplied its 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION for surface-mount assembly to Astemo UK, Ltd. The company, based in Bolton, is the UK manufacturing centre for Astemo, a Tokyo-headquartered global mobility solutions provider in the automotive industry, developing advanced and sustainable technologies. The latest investment at the Bolton site, in the north of England, enhances the company’s facilities for delivering advanced systems.
The new Yamaha Robotics state-of-the-art line will support production of electronic assemblies, enabling the company to work sustainably and set the pace in their field.
The Yamaha SMT Line-up
The 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION comprises Yamaha’s advanced printing, dispensing, mounting, and inspection machines, with smart-factory software tools and accessories. Bringing together everything needed to operate one or multiple surface-mount lines, the solution also ensures efficient access to maintenance and support from a single supplier. The machines are designed to be easily set up and integrated inline to help users get started quickly and maintain productive workflows in day-to-day operation.
Integration and Interaction
All Yamaha machines in the 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION share the same software platform, which delivers advantages such as a consistent user interface, meaning operator training and ramp-up can be accomplished very quickly. The machines also exchange data efficiently with productivity applications such as the on-board quality assurance tool and the mobile judgment app that help operators quickly diagnose and fix the causes of assembly defects to minimize their impact on production.
Connecting directly with Yamaha YSUP intelligent factory tools facilitates programming, monitoring, materials management, and traceability. Auto program generation tools quickly produce printing, mounting, and inspection programs that help accelerate new product introductions.
The 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION includes equipment for printing, dispensing, mounting, solder-paste inspection, and 3D AOI.
Pierre Williams, Area Sales Manager SMT Section at Yamaha Robotics Europe, comments, “Astemo is at the cutting edge of sustainable production. I am delighted that the team has chosen to work with Yamaha Robotics.”
NASHVILLE, TN – April 2026 – Magnalytix, providing real-time reliability solutions for electronics manufacturing, has chosen Metal Etch Services, Inc. as its stencil partner for OE in a Box kits. The two companies have worked together for years, and Metal Etch’s quality and reliability made them the clear choice for this project.
“Great products start with great partners,” said Bobby Glidwell, Director of Technology, Magnalytix. “We’ve trusted Metal Etch Services for years for their stencils, so using them for OE in a Box kits was an easy decision. They consistently deliver high-quality, precise products and have been a dependable partner every step of the way.”
OE in a Box is designed to make Objective Evidence testing simple. Each kit includes 10 B-52 Legacy 2 Test Cards, B-52 Legacy 2 Components on tape and reel, stencils from Metal Etch Services, ESD bags, and other essentials to generate an IPC J-STD-001 Objective Evidence report. Kits are shipped directly to manufacturers with a return label so boards can be sent back to Magnalytix for testing and fast delivery of validation reports.
Metal Etch Services produces high-quality stencils using carefully sourced materials, optimized aperture designs, and advanced laser-cutting technology. Their stencils provide the accuracy and consistency that OE in a Box kits require, while still meeting tight deadlines.
“Working with Metal Etch Services gives us confidence that every kit includes stencils that perform exactly as expected,” said Magnalytix President Mike Bixenman, DBA. “Their expertise makes it easier for our customers to run tests, get results, and keep their processes moving smoothly.”
By combining Magnalytix’s OE in a Box kits with Metal Etch Services’ stencils, the partnership provides manufacturers with a complete, reliable solution for electronics reliability testing.
For more information about OE in a Box and Magnalytix services, visit www.magnalytix.com. For more on Metal Etch Services’ stencil solutions, visit www.metaletchservices.com.
SANTA ANA, CA ― April 2026 ― Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI), a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, has strengthened its test capabilities with the recent purchase of the TAKAYA APT-1600FD-SL dual-sided flying probe test system, expanding its ability to support increasingly complex and high-reliability PCB assemblies.
The addition of the APT-1600FD-SL enables EMI to perform simultaneous probing on both sides of a board, significantly improving test coverage while reducing overall test time. Designed to handle larger PCBAs, the system is well suited for emerging applications such as 5G, battery management systems (BMS), and other high-density designs that demand precise, efficient validation.
“This investment gives us more flexibility and confidence when testing today’s complex boards,” said CM Chin, Vice President of Express Manufacturing, Inc. “We’re seeing larger form factors, tighter spacing, and higher performance requirements. This system helps us keep pace while maintaining the level of quality our customers expect.”
The APT-1600FD-SL features a 10 flying Z-axis probe design, allowing access to difficult test points that traditional systems may miss. Its dual-sided configuration not only increases coverage but also shortens test cycles—helping EMI improve throughput without compromising accuracy. Integrated laser profiling further enhances precision by compensating for board warpage prior to testing, ensuring consistent contact and reliable results.
For EMI customers, the benefits are immediate:
- Higher test coverage for complex and densely populated PCB assemblies
- Faster turnaround times driven by reduced test cycles and improved throughput
- Improved product quality through more accurate and repeatable testing
- Support for larger boards and next-generation applications
The system also incorporates advanced measurement capabilities and high-resolution vision inspection, enabling EMI to detect defects such as missing components, incorrect placement, and orientation issues earlier in the process.
“As designs continue to evolve, test has to evolve with them,” added Chin “This is about giving our customers the assurance that their products are fully validated before they leave our floor.”
The investment reflects EMI’s ongoing focus on building a robust, scalable manufacturing environment that supports both current production needs and future technologies.
For more information about Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI), email info@eminc.com or visit www.eminc.com.
North Attleboro, MA — April 2026 — DISTRON CORPORATION, a leading U.S.-based electronics contract manufacturer, has expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the addition of in-house automated conformal coating, designed to support complex PCB assemblies and high-reliability applications.
As electronics continue to shrink in size while increasing in complexity, protecting assemblies from moisture, chemicals, and environmental stress has become more critical—and more challenging. Manual coating methods often introduce variability and slow production, particularly for dense, fine-pitch boards. DISTRON’s automated approach addresses those challenges with a fully integrated coating process that delivers consistent, repeatable results.
“At the board level, there’s very little margin for error anymore,” said Robert H. Donovan, CEO of DISTRON Corporation. “Bringing automated conformal coating in-house gives us tighter control over the process and better outcomes for our customers—especially on complex builds.”
The system, built around SCS (Specialty Coating Systems) technology, uses programmable selective coating to precisely apply materials while minimizing the need for manual masking. Integrated UV and thermal curing ensure coatings are applied and cured under controlled conditions, improving both quality and throughput.
With this capability, DISTRON can support a wide range of production volumes—from early-stage prototypes to full-scale manufacturing—without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency. The process is particularly well suited for industries where performance and durability are critical, including medical, aerospace and defense, industrial controls, and instrumentation.
Key advantages of DISTRON’s automated conformal coating include:
- Consistent, repeatable coverage across complex and high-density assemblies
- Reduced handling and process variability compared to manual methods
- Controlled curing for improved coating integrity and long-term performance
- Scalable processes that support both low- and high-volume production
In addition to conformal coating, DISTRON provides full-service electronics manufacturing, specializing in complex PCB assemblies and supporting customers from new product introduction through production. Its ISO-certified and FDA-compliant processes provide the traceability and quality assurance required for regulated industries.
“Customers are pushing designs further, and they need manufacturing partners who can keep up,” added Donovan. “This investment is about making sure we can handle that complexity while keeping quality consistent.”
For more information about DISTRON’s capabilities, visit www.DISTRON.com.
VERNON HILLS, IL ― April 2026 ― Eastek International Corporation announces the appointment of David A. Strabel as Vice President of Manufacturing. In this role, Strabel will lead global manufacturing operations, drive strategic growth initiatives, and further strengthen operational performance across Eastek’s electronics and full-system integration services.
Strabel brings more than 20 years of manufacturing and operations leadership experience within complex, fast-paced environments. He has a proven track record of scaling operations, improving profitability, leading high-performance teams, and implementing systems that support sustainable growth.
Most recently, Strabel served as Director of Operations at Cree Lighting in Racine, Wisconsin, where he managed daily operations for a manufacturing facility specializing in PCBA and lighting products. He led an operations team supporting more than 200 employees across electronics PCBA, powder coating, and assembly operations.
During his tenure, Strabel oversaw the production and testing of complex assemblies, partnered closely with R&D teams to accelerate product transitions from design to mass production, and established internal structures to support new contract manufacturing business. His leadership also included significant capital investment initiatives, negotiating equipment acquisitions, and driving measurable efficiency improvements across SMT operations.
Earlier in his career, Strabel held progressive technical and operational leadership roles at Eastek-ACT in Menomonee Falls. He supported equipment and process development in technical roles before advancing into management positions, including Production Supervisor and Manufacturing Manager. He led multi-shift manufacturing teams, supported global operations including collaboration with the company’s facility in Dongguan, China, and led continuous improvement initiatives such as ISO 13485 implementation, Kaizen events, and facility layout optimization. He was recognized with the company’s 2014 President’s Award for his leadership and operational achievements.
“David’s deep expertise in electronics manufacturing, combined with his strategic mindset and hands-on leadership style, makes him an outstanding addition to our executive team,” said Bill Boyer, COO and Executive VP, Eastek International. “His experience in scaling operations, improving performance metrics, and building strong teams will play a key role in supporting our customers and advancing our global growth strategy.”
Strabel holds multiple industry certifications, including SMTA Process Engineer, and has extensive training in lean manufacturing, advanced SMT programming, and strategic deployment processes. His core competencies include operational leadership, P&L management, KPI development, technology implementation, and cross-functional team alignment.
As Vice President of Manufacturing, Strabel will focus on strengthening operational excellence across Eastek’s global footprint, enhancing process standardization, and supporting customers in the medical, industrial, transportation, and energy sectors with high-quality, scalable manufacturing solutions.
For more information, visit www.eastekinternational.com.
