Press Releases
Altus Group, a supplier of capital equipment and service support for the electronics manufacturing sector across the UK and Ireland, has invested further in its Irish operation with the appointment of two new field service engineers.
The company has appointed Brian Andrews and James Langham following a period of significant growth in Ireland, during which Altus has secured several new customer accounts and increased activity across the region. The appointments will further strengthen local service and technical support capabilities as demand for the company's solutions continues to grow.
Mike Todd, Operations Director at Altus Group, said: "Following the tragic passing of our colleague and field service engineer, Michal Ostrykiewicz, earlier this year, it was important to us that we took the right action because of how highly regarded he was by both customers and colleagues. Michal played a significant role in establishing our reputation for technical support in Ireland and helped create the strong foundations we continue to build upon today.
"We wanted to honour that legacy by continuing to invest in our Irish operation and maintain the momentum he helped create. As our customer base in Ireland continues to grow, maintaining the high levels of aftersales support our customers expect remains a priority.
"Brian and James both bring valuable industry experience and will play an important role in supporting our customers as we continue our ambition of becoming the go-to partner for electronics manufacturers across Ireland."
Brian joins Altus with extensive experience gained across both equipment suppliers and electronics manufacturing operations. Having previously held positions with Mycronic covering the UK and Ireland before moving into an Operations Manager role with Smart Electronics, he brings experience from both supplier and manufacturer perspectives. Based in the Shannon region, he will support customers throughout Ireland with equipment installation, service and technical support.
James joins Altus from Moog, where he most recently worked as a Maintenance Engineer. Based in Cork, he brings valuable manufacturing experience and a strong understanding of equipment maintenance, uptime and production support. His background provides first-hand insight into the challenges faced by electronics manufacturers and the importance of responsive technical support.
Both engineers will undergo extensive supplier training and mentoring programmes over the coming months, working closely with customers while continuing to develop their expertise across Altus' portfolio of manufacturing technologies.
The appointments represent the latest stage in Altus' investment in Ireland, following the establishment of its Irish entity, investment in local facilities and continued expansion of its team. The company continues to invest in its people, systems and infrastructure to support the evolving needs of electronics manufacturers across the region.
New Britain, CT — July 13, 2026 — MicroCare LCC today announced that it has hired Kevin Castonguay to serve as senior director of marketing for MicroCare.
A 25+ year marketing executive, Castonguay brings experience in leading global strategies to accelerate revenue growth, expand market share and build high-performing brands. The strategic hire comes as the company continues to expand its presence as the go‑to provider for cleaning, coating and lubrication solutions across the electronics, precision manufacturing, medical device and fiber optic industries.
As a skilled marketer, Castonguay will put his background in demand generation, go-to-market strategy, brand management, digital transformation and more to use at MicroCare to increase brand awareness and drive preference among current and new customers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to the MicroCare marketing team,” said Sean Gallimore, vice president of strategic initiatives at MicroCare. “Kevin’s expertise in building strategic marketing initiatives and leading all aspects of execution on a global scale is exactly what is needed to continue driving the MicroCare brand presence with customers who can benefit from our solutions around the world.
Previously, Castonguay held marketing roles with leading companies including Ametek, Acme United Corporation and Danaher Corporation. Castonguay also serves on the board of directors for the Western New England University College of Business.
For more information, visit the MicroCare website.
Eindhoven, Netherlands — July 2026 — Keiron Printing Technologies, a global innovator in advanced electronics manufacturing solutions, has promoted Laura Bouman to Head of People & Culture, effective July 1. In her new role, Bouman joins the company’s management team as Keiron continues to grow its organization and expand its presence in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Bouman’s promotion reflects her long-standing role in the company’s development. She joined Keiron as employee number five and has been part of its journey through every stage of growth. Since then, Keiron has grown from a five-person startup to a team of nearly 40 employees, with Bouman helping build the internal structure and culture that have supported that growth.
Before joining the management team, Bouman served as Management Assistant & HR Professional, working closely with leadership across human resources, finance, legal and business operations. Her broader professional experience includes interim management roles supporting companies in the technical, energy, financial and IT sectors, where she focused on strengthening business operations and organizational processes.
“Laura has been with Keiron almost from the beginning,” said Brian Duffey, President of Keiron Technologies USA. “She’s helped build this company every step of the way. She understands our people, our culture and how we work together. As Keiron continues to grow, having Laura on the management team is a natural next step.”
As Head of People & Culture, Bouman will lead initiatives focused on recruitment, employee development and organizational growth while helping ensure the company's culture continues to evolve alongside the business.
“I’m honored to take on this role and excited about what lies ahead,” said Bouman. “Growing with Keiron over the past several years has given me the opportunity to see what makes this company unique. I look forward to helping us continue to build a workplace where people can grow, collaborate and contribute as we move into our next chapter.”
Bouman’s promotion comes as Keiron continues to expand its team and operations. Her appointment to the management team reflects the company's continued growth and the important role she has played in helping build the organization.
“Technology drives innovation, but it’s people who build great companies,” Duffey added. “Laura has played an important role in shaping Keiron from the start, and we’re excited to have her help lead the company into its next phase of growth.”
For more information about Keiron’s industry revolutionizing technology, visit www.keirontechnologies.com.
TRI, the Taiwanese automated inspection manufacturer, recently announced an exclusive UK distribution partnership with Forwessun, a custom test fixture designer and manufacturer.
The move brings TRI’s industry-leading test hardware into Forwessun’s existing capabilities in fixtures, software and turnkey delivery, allowing UK&I EMS providers to access full turnkey test services from a sole provider.
This significant step in UK&I test accessibility means a production line being built or upgraded can now source test systems, software and fixtures from a single supplier.
Forwessun will also support the full life cycle of the equipment, including installation and maintenance, for TRI systems purchased in the UK, providing customers with a one-stop solution rather than separate channels for each piece of hardware.
Lee Fielding, General Manager of Forwessun, described the partnership as a natural extension of their existing business:
“Traditionally, our involvement has focused on delivering full turnkey solutions, custom test software, and robust test fixtures”, he said. “With this relationship, we can now provide a completely integrated board testing solution for our clients, significantly enhancing test coverage, efficiency and reliability across the production lifecycle.”
Announcing the deal, TRI pointed to Forwessun's engineering expertise and established customer base as the deciding factors, with the manufacturer's technical support capabilities cited as making it the ideal partner to expand TRI's presence and deliver outstanding value to manufacturers across the region.
"Their deep engineering knowledge, strong customer relationships, and exceptional technical support capabilities make them the ideal partner to expand TRI's presence and deliver outstanding value to manufacturers across the region," said TRI Europe Sales Manager Anthony Wang.
For TRI, this marks an expansion into the European and North American markets, harnessing the ICT industry contacts and established recognition of a global company such as Forwessun.
With decades of experience in the test industry, Forwessun will likely excel in the introduction of a new system to their lineup.
Atlanta – ECIA is pleased to announce that Stephannie Bronson has accepted the position of ECIA Vice President of Industry Practices.
Stephannie began her career in automotive distribution, where she actively supported industry associations for five years, before transitioning into a 15-year journey in logistics and supply chain leadership. Since joining the electronics industry in 2018, she has continued to expand her influence across the electronic components ecosystem.
At KEMET Electronics, she led inside sales and service operations and held global responsibility for certification and compliance, including Sarbanes-Oxley, Automotive, and Aerospace/Military standards. She partnered with Distribution, Direct, and EMS customers to support growth, regulatory compliance, operational integrity, and customer service. Her work with the WE United Mentorship Committee over the past eight years demonstrates her commitment to developing people, cultivating future leaders, and strengthening the electronics industry.
“Through the various leadership roles that she has held in her 20+year career, Stephannie’s experience brings the perfect balance between a strong understanding of the electronic components industry and expertise in logistics, supply chain and compliance in other industries, which will help her propel the GIPC’s impact to the next level.” explained ECIA’s Sr Vice President Victor Meijers. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our expanding staff and look forward to introducing her to the GIPC and our subject matter expert teams and the rest of our members later this month.”
“The work the Global Industry Practices Committee (GIPC) has already accomplished is truly astounding,” Stephannie added. “I look forward to working with the talented ECIA members who donate their time serving on the GIPC. Their collaboration on white papers, research, process efficiencies, and industry best practices, contribute to the goal of a more transparent, resilient electronics supply chain.”
Stephannie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Communications from Eureka College. She currently resides in Boynton Beach, Florida, with her husband Brian and enjoys traveling in their spare time.
Dornstadt, July 9, 2026: Process reliability is a key competitive advantage in electronics manufacturing. Austrian EMS provider technosert, drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in the industry, continues to pursue this path with consistency and determination. Under the leadership of Managing Director and Technical Director Jürgen Freynhofer, the company has implemented the DIVISIO 5100 Gen 5 from ASYS Group for depaneling operations. The result is a highly automated, stable, and reproducible process that systematically ensures quality while supporting technosert’s high standards for precision and reliability.
With the introduction of the DIVISIO 5100 depaneling system, technosert has taken a decisive step away from manual influences and toward a clearly defined, automated process. In the implemented standalone solution, the operator is only responsible for loading and unloading, while all other steps are carried out fully automatically. This structure reduces process variability and creates consistent results.
“The system removes the natural variation of manual activities from the process – and that is exactly what makes the difference,” explains Christian Schmidinger, Process Technology Manager at technosert.
DIVISIO 5100: Precision, Speed, and Control
At the heart of the solution is the DIVISIO 5100, a state-of-the-art depaneling system specifically developed for maximum process reliability and efficiency.
The machine operates autonomously and under continuous self-monitoring, checks operating resources before production starts, and optimizes processes in real time—key factors for stable manufacturing operations.
Key performance features include:
- Maximum precision and dynamics through linear motors and positioning accuracy of up to ±10 µm
- Fast cycle times of less than 2–2.5 seconds thanks to dual-spindle and dual-gripper technology
- Automatic tool changes and integrated camera and measurement systems to ensure consistent cutting quality
- 100% cut inspection and adaptive process control that detects and corrects deviations
- Gentle handling through force-controlled grippers and a soft-stop function to reduce mechanical stress
- High autonomy times of up to 20.5 shifts thanks to integrated tool management
- Open interfaces (OPC UA, IPCHermes, IPCCFX) for seamless integration into networked production environments
The system therefore combines the key requirements of modern SMT manufacturing: precision, flexibility, and digital connectivity.
Robust Processes for Increasing Requirements
The new solution demonstrates its strengths particularly in the processing of complex or large-format assemblies. Precise routing and sawing enable low-stress processing and prevent damage to sensitive printed circuit boards.
Continuous data acquisition and self-monitoring ensure that process deviations are detected at an early stage. As a result, quality is not only achieved but maintained consistently over time – a critical factor for industries with demanding requirements such as medical technology, aerospace, or ATEX applications.
A Holistic Solution Rather Than an Isolated Measure
The implementation of the DIVISIO is part of a comprehensive concept. Together with the ASYS Group, a scalable and modularly expandable manufacturing solution was created that already takes future requirements into account.
Thanks to its modular design, numerous configuration options, and simple retrofit capability, the system can be flexibly adapted to new products, batch sizes, or levels of automation.
Partnership as a Success Factor
The successful implementation is based on a long-standing collaboration: technosert and the ASYS Group have maintained a close partnership since 2005. The value of this cooperation was also evident during the introduction of the new system: challenges arising during the project were solved jointly and in a solution-oriented manner.
“What matters is not that everything is perfect from the very beginning – but that solutions are found together,” says Schmidinger.
More Than Efficiency: Sustainable Improvements in Daily Operations
In addition to greater process reliability, day-to-day operations also benefit from:
- Clearly structured processes
- Improved planning reliability
- Targeted deployment of skilled personnel
As a result, expertise can increasingly be used for monitoring and optimization activities – an important step toward future-ready production.
Outlook: Scalable Manufacturing with a Future
For technosert, the new depaneling solution is not the end point but the foundation for further developments, for example in the areas of automation, traceability, or data-driven process optimization.
The DIVISIO 5100 is an example of how modern manufacturing technology and collaborative partnership can work together to create sustainable process reliability.
Conclusion
“For us, it was crucial to find a solution that not only works today but will also support us in the future. With the achieved process reliability and automation, we have accomplished exactly that – together with a partner who is committed to this path alongside us.” (Jürgen Freynhofer, Managing Director and Technical Chief, technosert electronic GmbH)
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- Koh Young America Promotes Ramiro Mora to Lead Service and Applications in Mexico and South America