BROOKLYN, NY -- Cofactr, the electronics procurement execution platform, today announced the launch of its free to start, complete procure-to-ship service that eliminates procurement busywork for agile hardware manufacturers. Simplifying procurement for complex manufacturers with a free-to-use full-service procurement solution. Hardware teams can now upload a bill of materials (BOM) and let Cofactr's AI agents and warehouses handle sourcing, optimizing for best price and lead times, ordering, traceability, storage, kitting, and delivery to their manufacturer.

The new service addresses a critical bottleneck for hardware companies: engineering teams spending valuable time on procurement tasks instead of product development. With Cofactr's end-to-end execution model, manufacturers get authenticated components delivered production-ready while their teams remain focused on innovation.

“Looking over the last few months, we realized the most accurate representation of our mission is to make Cofactr's solution as accessible as possible," said Phillip Gulley, CSO & Co-Founder at Cofactr. “We believe that at this moment it is imperative that hardware manufacturers be able to move fast. There were two ways we could do that; offering our core electronics solution with no friction to adoption, and by making search access to the core Supplier Discovery database free. At this moment, more so than any in our lives, Cofactr believes that hardware deserves to thrive with as little obstacles as possible.”

Complete Procurement Execution

Cofactr's service combines AI-powered procurement agents with physical warehouse infrastructure to deliver:

• Intelligent Sourcing: AI agents analyze BOMs, source components across verified supplier networks, and negotiate pricing automatically
• Supplier Discovery: Search over 450,000+ verified suppliers to eliminate single-source supplier bottlenecks and find custom components
• Smart Warehousing: Components arrive at Cofactr facilities for authentication, inspection, and storage with complete chain-of-custody traceability
• Custom Kitting: Exact quantities split, spliced, and kitted for each build—eliminating excess inventory and partial reels
• Direct Delivery: Production-ready components delivered to contract manufacturers on schedule
• Real-Time Visibility: Complete tracking from quote to delivery in a unified dashboard
• TAR Compliance: Compliant storage and handling for defense and aerospace contractors

The service requires no upfront investment or platform fees. Customers pay only for components and services used, removing traditional barriers to procurement modernization.

Cofactr’s value to manufacturers has always been at the point of connection - selecting, buying from, and tracking parts from different suppliers. As OEMs and suppliers react to tariff hikes and market volatility we’ve seen surges in demand for this connectivity. Enabling trusted, verifiable connections between OEMs and suppliers as part of the entry level Cofactr offering will not only help manufacturers deal with short term shocks, but will build more robust US and regional supply networks in the long run.

"Hardware teams shouldn't need procurement expertise to build great products," said Phillip Gulley, CSO & Co-Founder at Cofactr. “We've developed a platform that lets manufacturers focus on design and final assembly. Procurement and management of electronics should be a turnkey solution, and that's what we provided. Onboard easily and quickly, upload your BOM, and with a few pieces of information, Cofactr handles everything from sourcing through a kit of materials showing up for PCBA with no upfront costs."

Built for High-Mix, Low-Volume Manufacturing

Cofactr's approach is purpose-built for the complexity of modern electronics manufacturing, particularly high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) production environments in aerospace, defense, medical devices, and robotics. The platform handles multi-variant BOMs, obsolescence management, and compliance requirements that typically consume engineering resources.

About Cofactr

Cofactr is a procurement execution platform that handles the complete procure-to-ship process for hardware manufacturers. By combining AI agents with warehouse infrastructure, Cofactr executes sourcing, negotiations, storage, kitting, and delivery—allowing engineering teams to focus on building products instead of managing supply chains. The company’s platform is in use by organizations that build everything from rocket ships, satellites, and drones to robotics, autonomous vehicles, and wearables. These companies not only need to produce and source fast while navigating stringent corporate processes and policies, but those in regulated industries additionally need to comply with governmental requirements. Within Cofactr’s single unified platform, they can now automate and manage the complexities of everything from parts sourcing, supplier procurement, payments, and shipping to cross-vendor logistics, stock availability, and government regulations. Cofactr is ITAR and SOC 2 compliant and runs entirely on AWS’s Government Cloud to meet the requirements of high-compliance industries.

Cofactr is backed by Bain Capital, Y Combinator, Floating Point Ventures, Broom and DNX.

LAKE FOREST, CA ― October 2025 ― Semi-Kinetics, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services, is proud to announce the procurement and implementation of a second cutting-edge Pemtron X-ray inspection and automated component counting system, reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality assurance, process control, and supply chain accuracy within its California manufacturing footprint. This acquisition is part of a broader multi-million-dollar capital investment to upgrade inspection, production, and automation capabilities across the facility.

The new Pemtron X-ray system delivers advanced non-destructive inspection (NDI) of internal solder joints, ball bonds, vias, and other hidden features. By integrating 3D tomography, high-resolution imaging, and defect analysis into the production flow, Semi-Kinetics gains immediate visibility into critical failure modes while ensuring every assembly meets the company’s rigorous reliability standards.

Complementing this capability, the facility has also deployed Pemtron’s Mercury Automated X-Ray SMD Counter, a real-time, AI-driven solution for fast and accurate component inventory tracking. The Mercury system scans up to four 7-inch reels simultaneously, providing real-time ERP and MES reporting, barcode-based stock verification, and fully automated data capture through a user-friendly touchscreen interface. With AI-powered parameter teaching and system-to-system inspection tolerance sharing, the tool delivers unmatched accuracy and traceability for component management.

“Investing in Pemtron’s X-ray and Mercury systems allows us to validate every layer of our manufacturing process — from inspection to inventory,” said Michael Leedom, CEO of Semi-Kinetics. “The ability to automatically count, verify, and report component data in real time is a game changer for efficiency and accountability. In parallel, our advanced inspection capability strengthens product quality and customer confidence. Together, they form a powerful combination that supports our ongoing growth and commitment to operational excellence.”

The X-ray and component counting systems are being calibrated for full integration into Semi-Kinetics’ production environment and will be fully operational in the coming months. These investments underscore the company’s focus on delivering high-reliability, turnkey manufacturing solutions that meet the evolving needs of aerospace, medical, industrial, and technology customers.

For more information about Semi-Kinetics and its capabilities, visit www.semikinetics.com.

Baltimore, MD – October 2025 – The Training Connection, LLC (TTC-LLC), a premier provider of test engineering and development training, is proud to announce the addition of Bill Graver to its growing team of industry experts. A respected professional with more than 35 years in electronics manufacturing, Bill joins as an IPC Master Trainer, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience in PCB testing, failure analysis, and process improvement.

Bill has long been an active contributor to the industry’s technical community, serving on the IPC-A-600 committee and as vice chair of IPC-6012. He holds multiple IPC Master Trainer (MIT) certifications, including IPC-A-600, IPC-6012, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620. His involvement with organizations such as the IPC (now Global Electronics Association), SMTA, PCEA, and PCBAA reflects a career dedicated to raising the bar for quality, reliability, and education in electronics manufacturing.

“Bill’s technical depth and passion for teaching make him a perfect fit for our team,” said Bert Horner, President, The Training Connection. “As demand for certified and well-trained professionals continues to grow, adding someone with Bill’s background helps us expand our reach and better support the industry.”

“TTC-LLC is an exciting company that truly values practical, hands-on learning and industry expertise,” said Bill Graver. “Their approach to training aligns perfectly with my own philosophy. Combining real-world experience with standards-based education helps professionals strengthen their skills and confidence.”

The Training Connection (TTC-LLC) provides technical and professional development programs for the electronics manufacturing industry, including:

• IPC Certification Courses (CIT & CIS) for standards such as J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, and IPC-A-6012
• Custom Technical Training in test development, design for test (DfT), inspection, and advanced SMT processes
• Professional Development Workshops tailored for manufacturing engineers, technicians, and educators
• Onsite and Virtual Training Options to meet diverse scheduling and operational needs

With the addition of Bill Graver, The Training Connection continues to grow its team and capabilities, reinforcing its position as a trusted resource for comprehensive training and certification in electronics manufacturing.

MUNICH, GERMANY – October 2025 – Luminovo, the number one quoting, procurement and collaboration software for the electronics supply chain, is hosting its highly anticipated Munich Electronics Night 2025, an exclusive pre-productronica event bringing together 200 of the industry’s most influential leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.

Taking place from 5-11 pm at Fancy Rosi, a modern venue in the heart of Munich’s old town, this invitation-only gathering is designed to foster genuine connections, spark meaningful dialogue, and showcase the future of electronics supply chain intelligence.

Unlike traditional conferences, Munich Electronics Night is a curated experience built for interaction, inspiration, and collaboration. Guests will enjoy an evening of insightful presentations, live technology showcases, and relaxed networking – complete with gourmet food, drinks, and an after-show party featuring a live DJ.

The evening’s keynote session, “A New Era of Electronics Supply Chain,” will explore how intelligence, transparency, and automation are reshaping the journey from design to production. Featured speakers include Sebastian Schaal, Managing Director of Luminovo; Franz Xaver Feiner, VP of Sales & Marketing; and Dieter Weiss, CEO & Industry Advisor.

Munich Electronics Night is proudly powered by SiliconExpert, GreenChips, and NCAB Group, three industry leaders recognized for advancing sustainability, intelligence, and PCB innovation. For more information about this premier event or to request a ticket, click here.

For more information, visit www.luminovo.com.