CRANSTON, RI – AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jua Coates to Customer Service Supervisor for AIM Solder Rhode Island.

Jua brings several years of experience in building and managing high-performing customer service teams in manufacturing environments to AIM. A proponent of the Voice of the Customer (VoC) methodology, Jua will guide the customer service team toward customized service, rapid conflict resolution, and increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

“AIM’s top priority is providing exceptional customer experiences every step of the way,” ​said Kelly Cardone, AIM’s Director of Marketing & Customer Experience. “The addition of Jua to our US Customer Service Team is part of the company’s overall commitment to provide the highest level of service to our customers around the world, and we are confident that he will help AIM deliver on that promise in the United States.”

Jua can be reached at jcoates@aimsolder.com 

NORTH BILLERICA, MA – BTU International, Inc., a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing market, will exhibit at the following upcoming events where they will discuss Aqua Scrub™ flux management technology and PYRAMAX™ reflow ovens.

• SMTA Dallas Expo & Tech Forum on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Plano Event Center in Plano, TX
• SMTA Houston Expo & Tech Expo on Thursday, March, 30, 2023, at the Stafford Centre in Stafford, TX.

The Aqua Scrub flux management system is purpose-built as a stand-alone system that can be easily retrofitted on PYRAMAX reflow ovens in the field as well as optional on new PYRAMAX ovens from the factory. The next-generation solder reflow flux management system is designed to decrease operational cost by 4X compared to traditional condensation systems. Aqua Scrub’s patent-pending design uses an aqueous-based gas scrubbing technology compatible with most known paste and flux types.

“Our Aqua Scrub flux management system has been widely adopted in many high- volume production lines in the Southwest region,” said Isaiah Smith, regional sales manager for BTU. “Aqua Scrub is a truly novel system allowing efficient flux collection regardless of chemistry, and our system has been further optimized with a new more efficient rinse agent, and improved gas extraction,” added Smith.

BTU PYRAMAX reflow ovens provide optimized lead-free processing for the ultimate productivity and efficiency. BTU’s exclusive closed-loop convection control provides precise heating and cooling, programmable heat transfer, and reduced nitrogen consumption, adding up to the lowest Cost of Ownership in the industry. With 6, 8, 10, and 12-zone air or nitrogen models, 350°C maximum temperature, and a comprehensive menu of options, Pyramax™ reflow ovens are the industry’s most versatile performers and best value.

To learn more visit www.btu.com 

CLINTON, NY – Indium Corporation’s Principal Engineer and Manager for Thermal Interface Materials Applications Dr. Andy Mackie, Ph.D., will deliver a webinar presentation as part of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative’s (iNEMI) Packaging Tech Topic Series on Tuesday, March 28.

Dr. Mackie’s presentation will address the evolution of power electronics packaging, focusing in particular on advancements in assembly and thermal interface materials. The webinar will cover the challenges and solutions associated with power electronics packaging, and the impact of emerging technologies such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) and the new challenges they pose. Dr. Mackie will also provide an in-depth analysis of the different types of materials used in power electronics packaging, their advantages, and limitations, as well as share insight into the future direction of power electronics packaging and the potential for further advancements in assembly and thermal interface materials to enable more efficient and reliable power electronic systems.

“As power electronics become increasingly important in modern electronic systems, it is essential for the industry to understand the packaging challenges we face, as well as the critical role that assembly and thermal interface materials have to play in addressing those challenges,” said Mackie. “I want to thank iNEMI for giving me the platform to share my experiences and help our industry move forward.”

The webinar is open to all industry professionals (iNEMI membership is not necessary); advance registration is required. Click here to register.

Dr. Mackie is an electronics industry expert with a technical background in physical chemistry, surface chemistry, rheology, and semiconductor fabrication and assembly materials and processes. His professional experience covers all aspects of electronics manufacturing from wafer fabrication to semiconductor packaging and SMT/electronics assembly. In his current role, he is focused on identifying thermal material needs and trends for various high-performance applications, as well as the development and testing of innovative solutions to meet the emerging thermal interface material requirements. Dr. Mackie has been an invited international keynote speaker and has lectured internationally on subjects ranging from sub-ppb metals analysis in supercritical carbon dioxide to solder paste rheology. He holds patents in novel polymers, heterogeneous catalysis, and solder paste formulation. Dr. Mackie holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Nottingham, UK, and a Master’s of Science (MSc) in colloid and interface science from the University of Bristol, UK.

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Hirose Electric USA is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place to Work®. The prestigious award is based on what current employees say about their experience working at Hirose USA. This year, 89% of employees said it’s a great place to work, 57 points higher than the average U.S. company.

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.

“Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that Hirose Electric US is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

“We are very excited to be a Great Place to Work-Certified company. Hirose operates with employee happiness and prospects as a main priority,” said President and COO, Shinya (Sid) Tono. “We owe our continuous growth, financial stability, success, and a brighter future to our entire team of dedicated employees at Hirose Electric group. We celebrate and thank them all for their efforts, and this recognition.”

This year, the company kicked off a campaign to understand an employee’s experience on an individual level. The Hirose USA HR department, with the support of the executive management team, conducted one on one interviews with every employee within the organization. The feedback was very positive and will become part of the culture moving forward.

Hirose also opened a new 18,000 sq foot Americas corporate headquarters on the 19th floor, in Downers Grove, IL with a tech savvy aesthetic that has motivated many employees to travel to the office with our recent hybrid schedule. This hybrid schedule coupled with the new high-tech office has most employees feeling a newfound sense of pride. Within the new office, Hirose has a room designated for a golf simulator as well as an area for employee relaxation that features gaming technology and Virtual Reality Glasses from some current customers. These additions have helped to foster a workplace that does not only boost morale, and relieve stress, but also encourage creativity among team members and increase productivity and teamwork.

According to Great Place to Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.