Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has appointed a new Applications and Service Engineer to its team, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to exceptional customer support and aftersales service.

Denis Popilian joins Altus from Strip Tinning Automotive, where he spent eight years as a Prototype Technician, gaining extensive experience in PCBA assembly, including SMT, THT, and robotic engineering. His technical expertise and industry experience will be leveraged to support customers across the South and Midlands, from his base in Birmingham.
Mike Todd, Operations Director at Altus Group, said: "We are delighted to welcome Denis to the Altus service team. His sharp technical skills and industry experience make him an ideal addition to our growing team.

“2025 has been a busy year for our aftersales operations, and with Denis joining alongside other recent additions, our capabilities are at their largest yet. This growth allows us not only to respond more efficiently to customer needs but also to be proactive in areas such as pre-sales, case management, customer training, and professional services. Denis’ expertise will help us continue raising the standard of support our customers receive.”

Altus Group has strategically invested in expanding its aftersales resource pool to ensure rapid response to customer requirements, reduce downtime, and streamline service operations. By adding high-calibre technical talent like Denis, Altus is strengthening its ability to deliver both reactive and proactive solutions, maintaining its reputation for exceptional support.

Denis will undergo an intensive training and familiarisation programme to fully integrate into Altus’ service operations, ensuring he can provide customers with the expertise and support expected from a market-leading service team.

www.altusgroup.co.uk

About the Machine

The Photon steam aging system is used for accelerated life testing - achieved by subjecting the components to a heated, moisture-rich environment, to simulate elongated storage conditions. It has been designed to meet military and other high reliability requirements and specifications. Including several configuration options and the ability to run multiple product types at once, the Photon can be customized to fit the needs of our customers. The Photon Steam Aging system fully complies with all relevant industry standards, including the MIL-STD-202 Method 208 and ANSI-J.

About our Customer

Jade Micron Pte Ltd is a global manufacturing leader with over 20 years of experience. The company specializes in delivering customizable, high-precision solutions tailored to the demanding requirements of high-reliability sectors such as Medical, Pharmaceutical, Automation, Semiconductor, Optical, and PCB. These industries require the highest standards of quality, reliability, and precision—standards that Jade Micron consistently meets through its ISO 9001:2015-certified processes. With a strong commitment to excellence and value creation, Jade Micron positions itself as a trusted partner dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of its global customer base. For more information, please visit http://jademicron.net/

About Hentec Industries

Hentec Industries Dba RPS Automation is a leading manufacturer specializing in automated selective soldering, component lead tinning, and solderability test equipment. Since the early 1990s, Hentec/RPS has been at the forefront of advancing soldering and lead-finishing technologies for sectors including defense, aerospace, automotive, contract manufacturing, and microelectronics. In its nearly 40-year history, Hentec/RPS has expanded to provide service and support to customers all around the globe. All Hentec/RPS products are designed and manufactured by our dedicated team in Newman Lake, Washington, USA.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – October 6, 2025 – Microelectronics and packaging assembly leaders Promex Industries, Inc., and its QP Technologies division today announced that Ben Mendoza has been named vice president of military projects for the two companies, reporting to CEO Richard Otte. The appointment of Mendoza, who brings more than 40 years of experience in high-reliability microelectronics to the newly created position, is key to the companies’ expanded focus on serving military-aerospace markets.

Mendoza’s appointment reflects the companies’ strategy to expand their footprint in the defense and aerospace sectors to help meet growing demand for trusted, onshore microelectronics partners. To this end, he will lead efforts to strengthen the companies’ military qualification pathways, including working with the Defense Logistics Agency to establish MIL-PRF certification, extending ISO/AS9100 coverage across facilities, and ensuring ITAR compliance remains robust. His role also encompasses outreach to industry task forces, such as the JEDEC JC-13 government liaison committee, where he currently serves as chair, to align Promex and QP Technologies capabilities with evolving standards and policies.

“I’m looking forward to leveraging lessons learned throughout my career to help ensure that our solutions meet the most demanding military standards,” said Mendoza. “This includes expanding our quality systems and establishing QML lab suitability that demonstrates our commitment to the mil-aero community.”

“Ben’s leadership, credibility, and technical depth give us the ability to accelerate into this market with confidence,” said Otte. “His experience with QML certifications and defense industry groups makes him uniquely positioned to expand our capabilities and deepen our value to aerospace and defense customers.”

Integrating Promex’s deep expertise in heterogeneous integration and medical/biotech reliability with QP Technologies’ strong foundation in substrate design and microelectronics package assembly, the companies aim to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of mil-qualified packaging and assembly services. This strategic expansion underscores their long-term commitment to supporting critical defense and aerospace programs with the highest levels of quality, reliability, and technical innovation.

To learn more about the companies’ military program, contact bmendoza@promex-ind.com.

POOLE, UK – Brown brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and leadership roles within the electronics manufacturing industry. Most recently, he served as General Manager at SAKI North America, where he oversaw business development and operations across the region. His career also includes an earlier role as Regional Sales Manager at Europlacer Americas, as well as eight years as Sales Manager for the Americas at DEK USA, where he directed sales efforts across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

Earlier in his career, Brown owned and managed TechSearch LLC, building new territories and fostering long-term customer relationships throughout the Americas. Known for presenting at national and international sales meetings, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow teams, expand market reach, and deliver results in diverse environments.

“In line with market trends, we continue to strengthen our customer-facing team with individuals that bring experience, curiosity and passion for customer success.” said Andrei Stapinoiu, Director of Global Sales. “Craig brings all these values and a comprehensive set of skills that will ensure our customers receive the best service in the industry.”

For more information about Europlacer and its advanced SMT solutions, visit www.europlacer.com.

About Europlacer

Europlacer is an award-winning global SMT full-line solution provider with over 50 years of engineering heritage in the electronics assembly industry. Servicing the sector with direct offices around the world and manufacturing facilities in the UK and France, Europlacer delivers flexible and dependable products to the SMT pick and place market, providing innovative solutions to complex manufacturing challenges. Europlacer is pioneering the market with great technology and a network of acknowledged experts to continue to build the long-lasting relationships that the business has thrived on for the past half-century.