NEUSS, GERMANY – With the advanced YR series for surface-mount assembly, Yamaha Robotics SMT Section and distributor ANS-Answer Elektronik are expecting further success in their long-standing partnership serving the high-tech community in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Electronics manufacturing in this region comprises OEMs and EMS businesses active in rapidly advancing, high-growth market sectors. They include automotive electrification - with its current focuses on automated driving and power electronics - advanced industrial controls and connectivity leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, and the latest communication and networking infrastructure including 5G wireless.

“Our customers need accuracy and flexibility in their surface-mount assembly lines, with high speed, and the ability to handle all the latest component technologies and package geometries. They invest frequently to keep their capabilities at the cutting edge, and they need a fantastic return each time,” explains Sebastian Glitsch, General Manager of ANS. “That’s where we make the difference, with our ability to supply and support the best assembly and test equipment in the market. Our connection with Yamaha is a big part of that value proposition.”

He goes on to highlight aspects that help present a persuasive offer for customers, including high placement performance in relation to mounter footprint that makes factories more space-efficient. “Also, there are many clever and time-saving features that automate tasks such as changing the printer stencil and loading component feeders. These minimise stoppages, whether production involves frequent changeovers or large batches. There are automated tools for generating placement and inspection programs, which help accelerate new product introductions.”

In addition, Sebastian Glitsch points out that Yamaha frequently introduces new features that are attractive and accessible to customers. These include the YSUP 3D user interface, smart-factory software with the latest IIoT protocols for seamless IT/OT connectivity, and the all-new YR series machines that have arrived within the past year. “We can always offer a solution that meets present needs optimally and is also future-proof,” he explains.

Daisuke Yoshihara, Yamaha Sales General Manager, joined by Ulf Neyka, Yamaha Sales Manager for DACH region, commented, "Our partnership with ANS-Answer Elektronik has made a significant contribution to our strong business performance in Europe. Their local knowledge and expertise have added value to the solutions we can offer, building on the high standards of performance and quality engineered into all Yamaha SMT equipment.”

Founded in 1994, ANS-Answer Elektronik has grown with Yamaha’s SMT business unit in Europe. Their connection began 26 years ago with the Yamaha iPulse generation of mounters and strengthened as Yamaha introduced the YS series of screen-printing, placement, and inspection machines and intelligent component handling systems. ANS has achieved notable successes with the 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION, which covers the entire SMT assembly sequence and includes unique and advanced software tools to maximise productivity and enable smart-factory management.

Now, with the new-generation YR series platforms ANS is looking forward to the possibilities the new machines bring with their increased capabilities and advanced features. They include the latest dual-lane machines that allow total flexibility to configure the two lanes indepdendently and ensure maximum performance unaffected by the settings of the other. “That’s a market-first for dual-lane equipment,” comments Sebastian Glitsch.

He concludes, “We are excited about the advantages the new YR series will deliver for our customers. This represents the start of a new chapter in our relationship with Yamaha that will lead to even greater success.”

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Hirose Electric Americas has named Mark Kojak as President & COO of Hirose Americas, effective June 1, 2023. Mark has been with Hirose Electric for five years, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations. Mark replaces Shinya (Sid) Tono, who will be returning to Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Japan and will assume a new leadership role in the organization.

“Throughout his career at Hirose, Mark has established an excellent track record of leading our organization to deliver record breaking results for the Americas. His in-depth industry knowledge and experience with Hirose’s long-term business strategies are just a fraction of the executive assets he can rely on to achieve our ambitious goals,” said Sid Tono. “With the promotion of Mark, I am confident that Hirose Americas will continue to realize accelerated growth under his leadership.”

“I am blessed and honored to assume the role of President and COO at Hirose Electric Americas. The Americas team has established itself as the gold standard within the global Hirose Electric Group, and we will continue to elevate ourselves to continuing that mission,” said Mark Kojak. “I look forward to working with our employees, customers and strategic business partners to bring an even higher standard to the electronics industry, and we will continue to look for ways to drive constant improvement in all aspects of our business.”

Hirose Electric Americas was established in 1980 to better serve the Americas. Hirose Electric offers more than 50,000 products, with new products accounting for more than 30% of sales. In keeping with Hirose's commitment to quality, Hirose Electric Americas was certified as a QS9000 company in November of 2000 and continues to be certified ISO 9001:2015.

For more information about Hirose or their technology solutions, visit www.hirose.com/us 

TILBURG, NETHERLANDS – Mek (Marantz Electronics), a leading provider of Automatic Optical Inspection solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Dzionk as the company's new Operations Manager.

The addition of Maria to the Mek team is a testament to Mek's ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to its valued customers. Maria brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having worked in supply chain solutions for almost a decade. She has a proven track record of success in optimising processes and improving efficiency.

In her new role, Maria will be responsible for overseeing Mek's operations, including order administration processes, supply chain management, logistics, transport documentation & invoicing and will also play an active role in marketing. She will work closely with the Mek management team to ensure that operations are efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of customers.

Maria holds a Postgraduate Degree in Finance Control from the University of Gdansk and has previously held positions at several prominent logistics companies. Most recently, she served as Returns Coordinator at GXO Logistics, Inc. where she was responsible for maintaining company processing standards across numerous product lines.

"We are thrilled to have Maria join our team as Operations Manager," said Henk Biemans CEO of Mek. “We were looking for someone with a combination of logistics, financial and marketing experience and Maria is the perfect fit. Her expertise in logistics and her track record of success will be invaluable as Mek continues to thrive. We are confident that she will help us to optimise our operations and enhance our ability to meet the needs of our customers."

"I am excited to join Mek and work with such a talented team," said Maria Dzionk. "I look forward to the dynamic working atmosphere in an international arena and applying my experience and skills to help the company achieve its goals to deliver the highest-quality products and services."

GARDENA, CA – Pemtron Technology, an inspection equipment developer and supplier, is pleased to announce the addition of Fabio Pareira to its engineering team. With more than 20 years of experience in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) processes, Fabio brings a wealth of expertise to Pemtron’s operations in Brazil. His extensive knowledge in SMT equipment, process optimization, and product quality will further enhance Pemtron’s ability to deliver innovative solutions to its customers.

Mr. Pareira has played a pivotal role in the implementation of manufacturing processes throughout his career, demonstrating his proficiency in equipment installation, capability testing, and process repeatability. His expertise spans a range of products, including cell phones, chargers, motherboards, notebook components, memory modules, and LCD TVs, among others. Fabio has consistently focused on meeting customer expectations and delivering improvements that enhance product quality.

Pemtron’s General Manager in Mexico Jaime Arreola expressed his enthusiasm for Fabio’s arrival, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Fabio to the Pemtron team. His extensive experience in SMT processes and commitment to quality align perfectly with our company’s core values. Fabio’s expertise will enable us to provide exceptional support to our local customers, reinforcing our commitment to delivering advanced inspection equipment and solutions.”

Prior to joining Pemtron, Fabio served in key engineering roles at reputable companies, including ADATA Electronics, CALCOMP do BRASIL, Salcomp LyTech, Visteon da Amazônia, Legrand Group S/A, Continental Ind. e Comercio Automotivo Ltda., Elcoteq da Amazônia, Digiboard da Amazônia Ltda., and Jabil do Brasil. His experience includes coordinating SMT teams, developing toolings and stencil designs, implementing process automation, and troubleshooting to optimize production efficiency.

Pemtron specializes in the development of high-precision inspection equipment using 3D measurement and vision source technology. Their product portfolio includes cutting-edge solutions for various industries, including SMT, automotive, lead tab, semiconductor, and more. Pemtron’s range of inspection equipment encompasses 3D Solder Paste Inspection (3D SPI), 3D Automated Optical Inspection (3D AOI), 3D Mounting Inspection (3D MOI), Wafer Bump 3D Inspection, Wire Bonding 3D Inspection, and Lead Tab Process/Inspection equipment.

Fabio Pareira’s addition to the Pemtron team will undoubtedly enhance the company’s ability to provide top-notch inspection equipment and support to customers in Brazil and beyond. Pemtron remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that optimize manufacturing processes, improve product quality, and drive overall efficiency.

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