Press Releases
Mill Creek, WA – March 2026 – MaRCTech2 is pleased to announce the addition of Kiersten Kreusser as a Solutions Expert Outside Sales Representative, effective April 1, 2026. In this role, she will support customers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, further strengthening MaRCTech2’s presence in the Pacific Northwest.
Kreusser brings a strong background in account management along with technical experience in the aerospace, defense, and materials testing industries. Her experience working in highly regulated, precision-driven environments aligns well with MaRCTech2’s focus on supporting advanced electronics manufacturing customers.
“We are excited to welcome Kiersten to the MaRCTech2 team,” said Jennifer Eby, President of MaRCTech2. “Her ability to understand complex customer requirements, along with her focus on communication and follow-through, will be a valuable asset to our customers and partners in the region.”
Known for her customer-focused approach, Kreusser emphasizes clear communication, accountability, and long-term relationship building. She works closely with OEMs and EMS providers to help identify and implement solutions that meet demanding design and manufacturing requirements.
“I’m excited to join MaRCTech2 and support customers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington,” said Kreusser. “I look forward to building strong partnerships and helping customers succeed with the right solutions and support.”
Fore more information, visit www.marctech2.com.
TOKYO ---OKI will launch Comprehensive Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) for AI server equipment on March 25, 2026. These comprehensive services will cover all processes, from the design and production of large-size multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs) incorporating OKI’s proprietary high heat dissipation technology supporting high-speed high-capacity data transmission, to component procurement, PCB component mounting, system assembly, testing, and reworking. Targeting AI server equipment manufacturers, OKI aims for sales of JPY 1 billion in FY2026.
As generative AI continues to advance at an accelerating pace, dealing with the ever-expanding volume of information and securing sufficient computing resources have become critical challenges. The computing resources required for generative AI training and inference are several hundred times greater than for conventional cloud-based services. This has led to surging demand for AI servers that feature densely mounted AI semiconductors designed for AI data centers, including graphics processing units (GPUs) and high-bandwidth memory (HBM).
AI server equipment production lines face multiple challenges, including achieving high component placement accuracy; managing warping and interference caused by differences in thermal expansion between PCBs and components during high-temperature heating; countermeasures for the heat generated by large numbers of AI semiconductors in operation; detecting solder defects inside contact points that cannot be identified by AOI (Note 1); and handling growing numbers of inspection items. Other challenges involve expanded traceability requirements and the growing difficulty of rework (Note 2) after mounting large and costly AI semiconductors, which have led to lower production yields, greater failure costs due to defective product disposal, and longer production lead times.
Through these new services, OKI will provide high-density mounting technology for large-size multi-layer PCBs for AI semiconductors, cultivated through the manufacturing of semiconductor testing equipment and information and communications infrastructure equipment requiring high-speed, high-capacity data transmission, as well as simulation and manufacturing technologies for multi-layer PCBs incorporating its proprietary PCB technology with embedded copper coin for high heat dissipation. In addition, OKI will draw on its high-speed X-ray solder inspection technology, technology to automate functional testing, and its high-mix low-volume production technology and skills for high-quality, high-reliability products to achieve high yields and shorter production lead times for AI server equipment.
On conventional production lines, reworking can be difficult if semiconductor defects are discovered after board mounting. This is especially true for expensive, long-lead-time components featuring fine-pitch elements and high-density mounting. OKI relies on a reworking line that combines proprietary jigs and handwork by OKI EMS’s skilled technicians with advanced soldering techniques to provide short-lead-time reworking, even for AI semiconductors with over 10,000 pins. This allows customers to expect improved yields, reduced failure costs, shorter delivery times, and further improvements in management efficiency.
ATLANTA, GA – Coming off a very successful 2025 Executive Conference, ECIA is pleased to announce the Core Committee that will join the leadership team in planning for the 2026 Executive Conference, scheduled to take place October 19-21, 2026, at the Westin O’Hare Hotel.
The following ECIA members will plan this year’s conference:
- Zach DeVillers – Chair - Brainard-Nielsen Marketing
- Paul Spain – Co-Chair – PUI Audio
- Heather Fulara – Co-Chair Sponsorship - DigiKey
- Tobi Cornell – Co-Chair Sponsorship - Kruvand Associates
- Juergen Wenzel – Co-chair Speaker Vetting - Dialight
- Michael McCaig – Co-chair Speaker Vetting - Luscombe Engineering
- Bob Garcia - QuadRep Ferrari Technologies
- Julie Fajardo – TDK-Lambda Americas
- Pam Berigan – Sager Electronics
- Robert Derringer – Crouzet North America
- Sean Sorteberg - DigiKey
“In a world defined by constant change, clarity is our greatest gift,” commented Zach DeVillers, President
Brainard-Nielsen Marketing, Inc. and this year’s Conference Chair. “I am sincerely thankful to the 2026 Conference Core Committee for delivering focus, purpose, and excellence to every step of this journey. The dedication and hard work they continue to invest in the months ahead will make this conference truly exceptional.”
“The Executive Conference is the premier event for industry executives,” noted Stephanie Tierney, ECIA’s Director of Marketing Communications and Member Engagement. “In 2025, we moved the conference to the Westin O’Hare Hotel to accommodate increasing attendance. The conference continues to grow thanks to the hard work from the volunteers. I look forward to working with the committee to deliver an agenda and program for 2026 that builds on the momentum that we have started,” she added.
Manassas, VA – March 24, 2026: ZESTRON, the global leader in high-precision cleaning solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry, is pleased to announce that Arbell Electronics has been named the recipient of its Annual Distributor Award. The award was presented on March 18, 2026, during the APEX EXPO in Anaheim, California, honoring Arbell Electronics’s exceptional performance and the strength of a partnership that has consistently delivered outstanding results year after year.
ZESTRON established this annual award to recognize distributor partners who exemplify good partnership, commercial excellence, and a deep alignment with ZESTRON’s mission to deliver world-class cleaning solutions to the electronics manufacturing market. Arbell Electronics was selected for its remarkable track record of consistent, sustained growth and its reliable, long term partnership.
“Arbell exemplifies what a true long-term partnership looks like,” said John Neiderman, Director of North America Sales at ZESTRON. “Year after year, they have delivered consistent growth, earned the trust of customers, and championed ZESTRON’s solutions with integrity and expertise. This award is our way of recognizing a partner who genuinely raises the bar for what distributor excellence means.”
Since the beginning of their collaboration, Arbell Electronics has proven to be a dependable and growth-oriented partner, continuously expanding ZESTRON’s market presence in Canada and ensuring customers receive the highest level of technical support and service. ZESTRON looks forward to building on this successful foundation as both organizations pursue further growth in the years ahead.
Baltimore, MD – March 2026 – The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a trusted provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions for more than 45 years, has added the Prime TruVision™ X-ray and computed tomography (CT) inspection system from Creative Electron to its engineering and analysis services. The system allows TTCI to examine the internal structure of electronic assemblies with high-resolution imaging, supporting more detailed failure analysis and process investigation for its customers.
The Prime TruVision platform combines imaging software with a mechanically stable inspection platform designed for precision motion and repeatable results. The system supports 2D X-ray imaging, laminographic analysis, and full 3D CT scanning, allowing engineers to view internal structures such as solder joints, plated through holes, vias, and component connections without destructive cross-sectioning.
Using the system’s imaging and reconstruction tools, TTCI engineers can evaluate voiding levels, inspect BGAs and QFNs, detect barrel cracks in plated through holes, and investigate structural defects that may affect long-term reliability. These capabilities allow engineers to analyze internal features of assemblies and identify manufacturing issues during failure analysis.
“At The Test Connection, Inc., we continuously invest in technologies that strengthen the value we bring to our customers,” said Bert Horner, President of The Test Connection, Inc. “The Prime TruVision system from Creative Electron combines powerful imaging software with exceptionally stable hardware, allowing our team to deliver advanced X-ray and CT inspection services that complement our electrical test capabilities. This investment supports our mission to help manufacturers improve quality, reliability, and root-cause analysis across their products.”
The X-ray and CT capability complements TTCI’s electrical test engineering services, which include flying probe test, in-circuit test (ICT), boundary scan, and functional test development. Combining electrical validation with internal structural inspection allows TTCI engineers to investigate both electrical and physical causes of product issues within a single engineering workflow.
“TTCI’s investment in our TruView Prime X-ray system strengthens their ability to perform deeper and faster failure analysis on complex electronic assemblies,” said Bill Cardoso. “With higher resolution and rapid inspection capability, their engineers can pinpoint root causes more quickly and deliver more reliable insights to their customers.”
“Creative Electron’s Prime TruVision platform brings together powerful imaging software and robust hardware stability, giving our team a highly capable tool for advanced X-ray and CT inspection,” Horner added. “By integrating this technology into our services, The Test Connection is expanding beyond traditional electrical test into deeper structural analysis of electronic assemblies. We see a strong growth pathway both within the CCA and PCB industries and in emerging sectors where non-destructive inspection plays a critical role in reliability and quality.”
The system will be used across a range of applications including failure analysis, process validation, counterfeit component investigation, and reliability studies for high-performance electronics. Industries supported by TTCI include aerospace, defense, medical devices, and other high-reliability sectors where internal inspection is often required.
The Test Connection, Inc. will highlight its expanded inspection and test services at IPC APEX EXPO 2026, booth #3522.
To learn more about TTCI’s test services, visit www.ttci.com.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Coherix, a global leader in AI-based quality-control systems for adhesive and sealant dispensing, will host a two-day open house program at its new Innovation Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The event is designed to give manufacturing engineers, automation specialists, industry partners and news media an opportunity to explore the next generation of intelligent manufacturing and precision dispensing technology.
Three half-day “open house” sessions are available for guests to attend on Thursday and Friday, April 9–10 at the company’s recently opened North American headquarters and Innovation Center at 1168 Oak Valley Drive. Each session will include luncheon discussions and live technology demonstrations, technical presentations and Q&A sessions focused on solving real-world manufacturing challenges related to automated dispensing processes.
“Manufacturers today face increasing pressure to improve quality while accelerating production and reducing costs,” notes Coherix Chairman and CEO Dwight Carlson. “We’ll show open house attendees how real-time 3D inspection and AI-driven adaptive-process-control technologies will enable manufacturers to move from traditional inspection methods to a fully closed-loop process-control system.
“Companies are moving toward fully autonomous production environments where quality must be verified and controlled in real time. Engineers who attend one of our open-house sessions will have an opportunity to see firsthand how Coherix technology transforms dispensing operations from reactive inspection to proactive process control.”
Coherix 3D inspection systems and adaptive-process-control solutions used to monitor and automatically adjust adhesive and sealant dispensing operations at production speeds will be on display and demonstrated during each open house session. The demonstrations will highlight several advanced technologies designed to improve robotic dispensing accuracy and process reliability.
Attendees also will learn how manufacturers across automotive, battery production, electronics and advanced mobility industries are using Coherix technology to improve product quality, reduce material waste and eliminate costly production defects.
“Dispensing variability is one of the most persistent automated-manufacturing challenges,” says Coherix Vice President and General Manager, Dr. Zhen Huang. “By combining 3D vision, machine learning and adaptive process control, we help manufacturers move from inspection to true defect prevention.”
The open house program also will give many visitors a first look at the new Coherix Innovation Center, part of the company’s recently expanded 25,000-square-foot North American headquarters and product development facility in Ann Arbor.
The facility includes robotic demonstration cells, engineering labs and training areas designed to support collaboration with OEMs, system integrators and manufacturing partners. Innovation Center resources enable Coherix to develop and test next-generation dispensing solutions in real-world automation environments.
“Our Innovation Center was designed to bring customers and engineers together to solve complex manufacturing challenges,” Huang adds. “Our open house program is a great opportunity for industry professionals to see how we’re advancing intelligent manufacturing.”
Registration information for the open house program is available on the company’s website at https://coherix.com/coherix-open-house-2026.
Coherix offers the only manufacturing technology capable of automatically inspecting and controlling the application of adhesives and sealants at assembly-line speeds. Its 3D laser-based quality control systems are equipped with machine learning, artificial intelligence and process control software proven to deliver savings of 25 percent in labor and material.
To meet a need for mechanical engineers, as well as training for engineers currently involved with adhesives and sealants, Coherix also is working closely with Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan, various trade organizations and its customers.
In addition, Coherix has developed a dispensing workshop program to help improve the use of adhesives and sealants in product manufacturing. Co-sponsored by the Engineering and Manufacturing Alliance (EMA), more than 100 system integrators, robot suppliers, dispensing equipment suppliers, material suppliers and end users have attended the program over the past year.
Press Releases
- MaRCTech2 Hires Kiersten Kreusser as Solutions Expert for Oregon and Southwest Washington
- OKI Launches EMS for AI Server Equipment Featuring Proprietary High Heat Dissipation Technology
- ECIA Announces 2026 Executive Conference Core Committee Members
- Arbell Electronics Named Zestron's 2026 Distributor of the Year at APEX EXPO