ATLANTA – In response to ECIA members and industry stakeholders, the Association’s Global Industry Practices Committee (GIPC) has established a working group to facilitate information sharing and impact mitigation strategies around tariff operations. This group will address process and strategic concerns including:

• Methods and strategies for handling tariff charges.
• Understanding different government regulatory frameworks, e.g. Section 301a and IEEPA.
• Details about Free Trade Zones (FTZ) and the benefits of creating one
• Improving the duty drawback process.
• Effectively communicating tariff charges.
• Addressing unique tariff challenges presented on supplier returns.

“We have spent the past few weeks collecting and digesting the input from our members about the most impactful areas where we can help member companies prepare for and adjust to new tariff realities,” commented Christine Wolnik, ECIA’s Vice President of Industry Practices. “At a breakout session during the ECIA Joint Council and GIPC meetings in Phoenix

and then at a subsequent all member webinar, we listened and took notes and then began recruiting experts to address this industry challenge.”

The Tariff Working Group will publish guidance documents, conduct webinars, and meet with commerce department officials as needed to confront the challenges as they arise while the administration’s trade policy changes are implemented.

Companies tentatively committed to these efforts include Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Digikey Electronics, Hirose Electric, Marsh Electronics, Master Electronics, Microchip, Molex, Onsemi, PUI Audio, Taiwan Semiconductor, TE Connectivity, TTI, Vishay, Waldom Electronics, World Micro and WPG Americas.

For more information about the GIPC and ECIA membership, visit www.ecianow.org.

About ECIA

The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) is made up of the leading electronic component manufacturers, their independent manufacturer representatives and authorized distributors. ECIA members share a common goal of promoting and improving the business environment for the authorized sale of electronic components. Comprised of a broad array of leaders and professionals representing all phases of the electronics components supply chain, ECIA is where business optimization, product authentication and industry advocacy come together. ECIA members develop industry guidelines and technical standards, as well as generate critical business intelligence. For more information, visit www.ecianow.org or call 678-393-9990.

HUTTO, TX – ViTrox Americas Inc. is proud to announce a significant update to its ViTrox Demo Center (VDC) in Hutto, Texas. The upgraded VDC now features the latest ViTrox inspection technologies, software solutions, and advanced automation tools to support real-world testing, application engineering, and hands-on customer experiences.

The enhanced Demo Center now showcases ViTrox’s newest Smart Inspection Solutions, including the VisionXpert XS/XC Series. The XC Series delivers state-of-the-art smart camera inspection capabilities, while the XS Series offers high-speed smart code reading and barcode scanning (1D/2D), enabling rapid, reliable traceability in demanding manufacturing environments.

A major highlight of the update is the addition of ViTrox’s new generation 3D AOI solutions. The V510i 3D SEMI AOI, with 8μm resolution, supports mirrored and reflective surface inspection as well as 0201mm/008004 micro component inspection. Also added is the V510i 3D MicroAOI, offering ultra-high 2.25μm resolution for wire bond and die inspection applications. These systems provide unmatched accuracy for microelectronics and semiconductor-level assemblies.

To support top and bottom side inspection requirements, the V510i DST delivers comprehensive dual- side 3D AOI capability. Meanwhile, the V510R integrates inline robotics for 3D side imaging, high-volume conformal coating inspection, and thickness measurement, extending ViTrox’s automated visual inspection leadership.

On the ARV (Advanced Robotic Vision) front, ViTrox introduces the V9i XL, a large-format platform (840mm x 620mm) ideal for post-selective/wave solder inspection, conformal coating inspection, and final/box build assembly verification. Complementing this is the V97i, which features an integrated flipper conveyor for efficient double-sided PCB inspection after soldering and during final assembly stages.

These additions build on a strong existing foundation that includes the V310i 3D SPI, V510i 3D SMT AOI, V810i S2 EX AXI, and V9i ARV for final and coating inspection. Together, they form a comprehensive line-up supporting end-to-end quality assurance across SMT, semiconductor, and box build applications.

In addition to hardware, the VDC has also upgraded its software solutions at the demo center to provide users with powerful analytics and offline programming capabilities. The new lineup includes the VVTS Online Review Solution, V One SPC &Utilization Software, V-Library Program & Recipe Solution, and V-OLP Offline Programming Solution, enhancing traceability, yield optimization, and process efficiency.

“With this expansion, the ViTrox Demo Center now represents one of the most advanced inspection technology hubs in the region,” said Sy Creed, Business Development Director, ViTrox Americas. “It gives customers firsthand access to our newest solutions, expert application support, and real-time demonstrations designed to address their unique production challenges.”

Customers, partners, and industry professionals are encouraged to schedule visits or virtual tours to experience the expanded capabilities of the VDC and explore how ViTrox’s intelligent inspection systems can elevate their operations.

For more information about, visit www.vitrox.com.

SisTech Manufacturing, a leader in complex, high-reliability electronic assemblies, continues to scale its capabilities with the help of Europlacer’s flexible, high-performance placement platforms. The company’s growing reputation for handling intricate builds with exceptional quality and speed is closely tied to the agility and precision of its SMT equipment.

Founded in 2009, SisTech serves a wide range of industries—including military, aerospace, medical, energy, and consumer electronics—with less than a 1% defect and scrap rate. According to Founder and CEO Brad Kennedy, Europlacer machines have played a central role in helping the company uphold its commitment to quality while increasing throughput.

“The Europlacer platform is remarkably intuitive,” Kennedy said. “We’ve trained completely new operators in under 20 minutes, and they’re outperforming experienced operators on other systems. That simplicity, combined with uptime and accuracy, allows us to meet complex demands head-on.”

SisTech’s workload ranges from push-to-talk military headsets to gaming modules for Xbox and PlayStation, to medical headlamps and energy monitoring systems. Fast setups and high-mix production are the norm, and Europlacer enables the team to keep pace.

“We regularly do multiple job setups a day,” Kennedy added. “Europlacer gives us the throughput and flexibility we need without sacrificing precision.”

Operations Manager Calvin Rabe pointed to Europlacer’s intelligent feeders and cross-platform compatibility as key differentiators. “We can run any part number on any head and move jobs seamlessly between machines. That kind of versatility is essential for the variety of components we deal with—01005s to BGAs and everything in between.”

Ryan Kochert, SisTech’s Head of Operations, explains the broader strategic value of the platform: “Europlacer bridges the gap between high-volume production and low-run prototyping. With these machines, we can support runs from two boards to nearly 100,000 units. And with the integrated data tools, we’re able to monitor cycle times, scrap rates, and overall throughput—giving us complete control over both cost and performance.”

On top of machine performance, Kennedy praised Europlacer’s support team. “Their service has been stellar for years. From phone support to onsite visits and timely software updates, they’ve always had our back. Some of our machines have been running for over a decade and only came off the floor when we upgraded—never because of failure.”

With Europlacer’s advanced SMT technology, SisTech is not just meeting customer expectations—it’s raising the bar for what’s possible in high-mix, high-reliability electronics manufacturing. To view the Europlacer – SisTech case study, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijOqnCeMUzI.

To learn more about SisTech Manufacturing, visit www.sistechmfg.com. 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.

BOHEMIA NY – Q Source is excited to announce its new partnership with C2V (Customer Centric Vision). Through this collaboration, Q Source will now offer C2V’s innovative line of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products to its customers. C2V blends the best of traditional client service with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and supply chain management.

Guided by their motto, "Real Simple Safety," C2V focuses on simplifying the procurement process, delivering best-in-class value, and ensuring fast, responsive service for urgent needs — all with the goal of helping customers focus on what matters most: their clients and their safety.

Through this new partnership, Q Source customers now have access to C2V’s high-quality safety solutions, including a wide range of hand protection products such as cut-resistant gloves, general-purpose gloves, impact protection gloves, and disposable gloves.

The addition of C2V’s offerings strengthens Q Source’s growing catalog of safety solutions designed for industries where precision, reliability, and customer support are paramount. Whether customers need every day PPE or specialized safety solutions, Q Source and C2V are ready to deliver with an unmatched level of service and expertise.

For more information about Q Source’s new partnership with C2V or to browse available products, please visit www.qsource.com.