WESTFORD, Mass., April 2026 – BTU International, Inc., a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing market, today announced that Performance Technologies Group, Inc. (PTG) has been appointed as its exclusive manufacturers’ representative for New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania, effective March 20, 2026.

Under the agreement, PTG will represent BTU’s reflow product lines, including the Aurora and Pyramax oven platforms, as well as spare parts and support services. The partnership strengthens BTU’s regional presence and enhances access to local technical expertise for electronics manufacturers. BTU’s equipment is widely used in PCB assembly, semiconductor packaging, and high-temperature processing applications, where precise thermal control and consistent performance are critical.

“PTG brings a strong track record of supporting customers in the electronics manufacturing market,” said Bob Bouchard, Director of Sales – Americas, BTU. “Their technical knowledge and hands-on approach make them a valuable partner for our customers in the region.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Performance Technologies Group serves the Tri-State Region with a focus on electronics and industrial assembly markets. The company works closely with customers across the production process—from assembly through inspection and rework—providing both equipment solutions and technical support. Many of the products PTG represents are available for on-site demonstration, helping manufacturers evaluate compatibility within their own processes.

“We’re excited to represent BTU and support customers with proven thermal processing solutions like Aurora and Pyramax,” said Zach Savana, Principal, Performance Technologies Group. “This partnership allows us to provide even greater value through local support, application expertise, and responsive service.”

The collaboration ensures that manufacturers in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania have direct access to knowledgeable support for BTU systems, helping optimize performance, uptime, and process reliability.

For more information about Performance Technologies Group, visit https://teamptg.com/.

More information about BTU International is available at www.btu.com.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY - APRIL 9, 2026 - Kitron has received a 42 million Euro order from a customer in the defence/aerospace sector.

The order covers the production and supply of systems, forming part of a layered defence architecture. Deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2026, with production at Kitron’s European manufacturing facilities.

“This contract underlines Kitron’s position as a trusted partner within the Defence/Aerospace sector and reflects the long-term collaboration we maintain with our customers,” says Peter Nilsson, President and CEO of Kitron.

The contract adds to Kitron’s growing order backlog in the Defence/Aerospace market sector and is consistent with the company’s long-term ambition to grow revenues toward EUR 1.5 billion, as communicated at its Capital Markets Presentation in December 2025.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – APRIL 9, 2026 – PCEA in conjunction with the SMTA Capital Chapter will starting in April present a two-part two-hour webinar on sourcing strategies for PCB designers and design engineers. The webinar, “Design for Sourcing,” will be presented by supply chain expert Ed Dodd, vice president of government and defense for Cofactr.

This webinar takes place in two one-hour sessions starting at 1 p.m. EDT on April 21 and May 5.

In these sessions, Dodd will share knowledge and tools necessary to proactively design out supply-chain risks during component selection. Attendees will learn about the current landscape of supply chain vulnerabilities, the principles of design for sourcing, and practical strategies to ensure continuity and reliability in their electronic designs.

Dodd has spent decades creating supply chain optimization strategies in the defense, aerospace and automotive segments. Prior to joining Cofactr, he served as director of US Army Programs at Ansys, where he advocated for physics-based digital thread and automated analysis from part to mission. At DfR Solutions, he consulted across automotive and aerospace industries on various electronics reliability challenges.

Attendees will gain the information they need to make informed decisions that safeguard their projects against disruptions and contribute to a more robust supply chain ecosystem.

For more information or to register,click here.

ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 8, 2026 – Sales confidence dominated every sector of the Electronic Components Industry in March, driving the overall sales sentiment index average up to 149.2, the highest level in five years, dating back to April 2021.

“All three component categories saw solid improvement, led by Electro-Mechanical with a jump of 20.2 points,” explained ECIA Chief Analyst Dale Ford. “The end-market index score mirrored the component categories as it rose by 16.1 points to 161.8. This exuberance is tempered by a softening in sales sentiment looking forward to April as the overall index is projected to retreat back to 143.7. The bottom line is that the sales environment for electronic components is the best it has been in five years!” he concluded.

For the complete summary report, click here.