MORRISVILLE, NC – Juki Automation Systems (JAS), Inc., a world-leading provider of automated assembly products and systems and subsidiary of Juki Corporation, announced that Greg Lefebvre has been promoted to National Sales Manager.

“Juki is extremely honored to announce this well deserved promotion. Greg has demonstrated amazing creativity, work ethics, and customer consultation skills,” stated Bill Astle, President & CEO. “He has exceled at Juki Automation Systems by using deep industry knowledge combined with stellar sales, engineering, and business acumen. His strategic planning, execution, and harmonious approach to sales ensures we all keep a keen eye on the prize, and stay laser focused moving forward regardless of the challenge.”

Lefebvre has more than 30 years of experience managing inside/outside personnel, marketing objectives and sales performance for North and South America. He has a strong track record for helping Juki win new business and optimizing customer retention with top decision makers through relationship building, trust and knowledge of the product line.

An experienced sales executive, Lefebvre has held roles with respected companies including Motorola and Speedline Technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical / Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.

Lefebvre can be reached directly at 443-255-8466 or greg.lefebvre@juki.com 

For more information about Juki, visit www.jukiamericas.com 

TORRANCE, CA – Seika Machinery, Inc., a leading provider of advanced machinery, materials and engineering services is pleased to announce the promotion of Michelle Ogihara to Vice President of Sales, effective on March 1st.

Isao Muraoka, President and CEO commented about the promotion: "Michelle has been working for us for 24 years. Since starting her career at Seika Machinery, she has played a fundamental role in sales and marketing in our organization. Michelle is an enthusiastic, communicative and take-charge leader who is able to present creative ideas and bring benefits to our customers and business partners. I believe her elevated leadership as VP of sales contributes to growing our company and the industry altogether.”

Ogihara joined Seika Machinery in November of 1998. As the Senior Sales Manager and Sales and Marketing Manager, she has been a key driver to the company’s success overseeing the national sales, marketing and distribution of Seika equipment throughout North and South America. An active member of the SMTA, Ogihara has held various board positions as a chapter leader, Co- Chairs the MSD Council and serves on several committees on the National level. She is a past recipient of the SMTA “Excellence in Leadership Award.”

Ogihara has chaired technical sessions at SMTAI conferences and lead break-out sessions during past SMTA Leadership Forums on numerous chapter involved topics. She has served on the Board of Directors for many years on the Planning Committee and as VP of Communications and established the SMTA Ambassador Program.

Her previous promotion and added responsibility for Seika included the position of Branch Manager for the San Francisco office handling the lines of Malcom, Unitech and Eightech equipment in addition to current Seika Machinery solutions. Ogihara is proudly one of the founding members of the SMTA Women’s Leadership Committee dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in our industry.

“I’m looking forward to creating more exposure for Seika Machinery products and strengthening our relationships both with existing and new customers and our sales network! I truly appreciate the many opportunities that Seika has provided me throughout the years and the customers, principals, colleagues and partners who have supported me as well!” said Ogihara about her promotion.

CHINO, CA – Get ready, France! Exciting news in the tech industry as Scienscope International, the premier American supplier of cabinet-style micro-focus X-ray systems, has announced a dynamic new partnership with Seica France SARL. This means that Scienscope's complete material management products will now be available to customers throughout France thanks to Seica’s local office and Mr. Adrian Radu, who helped make this partnership possible. Seica is off to an amazing start, already making a significant impact by promoting Scienscope's cutting-edge solutions at the beginning of the year.

But that's not all! Seica France SARL is set to showcase Scienscope's innovative products, including the Smart Storage Rack, the new Incoming Material System (IMS-100), and the AXC-800 III Component Counter, at the highly anticipated Global Industrie 2023 event. This four-day extravaganza is scheduled from March 7-10, 2023, at the Eurexpo Lyon in France. So, mark your calendars and prepare to be blown away by these game-changing technologies!

Founded in 1986, Seica S.p.A. is a high-technology company specializing in developing and manufacturing leading-edge solutions for the test and selective soldering of electronic boards and modules. With deep expertise in electronics technology, industrial machines, and processes, Seica has become a global leader and supplier of test and manufacturing solutions, with thousands of systems installed on four continents.

And with Scienscope's expertise in machine vision, X-ray, and automation, they are a one-stop solution provider for warehouse automation and optical and X-ray inspection. Plus, Scienscope offers customization based on specific facility needs. ‘ This partnership between Scienscope and Seica France SARL is just the beginning of an exciting new journey in tech innovation for SMT warehouse material management. We can't wait to see what these two powerhouse companies will achieve together, ‘ said Adrian Radu, European Sales Manager.

WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer in response to the Commerce Department’s release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity, a procedural step that sets in motion the process for companies to apply for manufacturing grants under the CHIPS and Science Act (see summary fact sheet here).

“Today’s action marks an important step forward in the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark law that will boost U.S. semiconductor production and innovation for years to come. We are carefully reviewing the Commerce Department’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, which lays out the rules of the road for companies to apply for the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing grants.

“In anticipation of CHIPS grants, companies in the semiconductor ecosystem have announced dozens of new projects across America since the bill was introduced. These announced projects will total hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments and support hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs. The CHIPS Act’s manufacturing grants—along with the new law’s substantial investments in semiconductor research—will help reinvigorate the U.S. economy and reinforce America’s national security and critical supply chains.

“As Commerce Secretary Raimondo highlighted during her remarks at Georgetown University last week, CHIPS implementation provides an historic opportunity to ‘unite behind a shared objective … and think boldly and think big.’ We stand ready to work with Secretary Raimondo and leaders in the Commerce Department’s CHIPS Office to ensure the new law is implemented effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously.”