STEINACH, SWITZERLAND – Variosystems AG is reinforcing its Executive Leadership Team with its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Markus Nikles, an international finance specialist with industry experience. After expanding the leadership this year to include Stefan Hasenfratz, responsible for business development in Asia, and Anthony Pugliese, Head of the North America Region, Variosystems is finishing the reinforcement of its Executive Leadership Team by appointing Markus Nikles as CFO.

Variosystems is a global service partner for all-inclusive electronics solutions with customer organizations in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific region, and China. The company, based in Steinach, Switzerland, is on a growth trajectory and expanding in all regions, with an aim of doubling its revenues by 2026. Variosystems is drawing on international management expertise to achieve this.

Since the start of the year, Stefan Hasenfratz (Head of Variosystems Asia) and Anthony Pugliese (Head of Variosystems North America) have been reinforcement for the Executive Leadership Team consisting of CEO Stephan Sonderegger, COO Stefan Walther, CHRO Christine Peter, CIO André Bättig, and cofounder Norbert Bachstein. With the appointment of CFO Markus Nikles as of October 1, 2024, the team is now complete. The finance expert, who comes from Interlaken, Switzerland, and is experienced in the stock markets, succeeds Raymund Scheffrahn, who left the company at his own request at the end of July.

“We want to be the most trusted and sustainable electronics service partner, including on a global scale. With the reinforcement provided by Markus Nikles, we are working toward this objective. He contributes long-standing international experience in financial management at major industrial enterprises and has spent many years in positions in the United States and China. These markets are strategically important for our growth,” says Stephan Sonderegger, CEO of Variosystems. The new CFO, Markus Nikles, is looking forward to his duties: “Variosystems is one of Switzerland’s best-managed companies and has a clear vision and strategy. This is just as inspiring as it is motivating. Contributing my expertise, I wish to have a hand in achieving the ambitious goals.”

Financial expertise for global growth

Markus Nikles was most recently CFO at Meyer Burger Technology AG and, before that, spent 22 years in leadership positions for the Bühler Group, including ten years in the United States and three in China. With a degree in business and an executive master’s in corporate finance, he is based at Variosystems’ head office in Steinach and reports directly to the CEO.

NEUSS, GERMANY – Yamaha Robotics announced today that the Company has held a ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovation and expansion work at the Hamamatsu Robotics Office, which develops, manufactures, and sells surface mounters and industrial robots, as well as the 40th anniversary of the Robotics Business, which started in 1984 as the IM Division. The ceremony was attended by approximately 200 people, including business partners, and included a ribbon-cutting by President and Representative Director Yoshihiro Hidaka.

The renovation and expansion work began in January 2023, achieving 1.6 times increase in the total floor area of the office buildings and 1.8 times expansion in production area. As a result, the production capacity for surface mounters will be approximately doubled.

Additionally, with the installation of additional solar panels in the expanded area, the conversion of the entire facility, including the cafeteria, to electric power, and the introduction of CO2-free electricity starting in 2022, this will be the Company’s first Carbon Neutral Factory.

The strengthening of the base through this expansion and renovation is part of the company's strategic investment in growing businesses under its medium-term management plan (2022-2024). Yamaha Motor will further enhance its customer- oriented systems for technology, sales, and services, which is the strength of its robotics business, and work towards reinforcing profitability by expanding the scale and business area in a growing market.

NAMPA, ID – Silicon Mountain, a leader in electronics manufacturing, is thrilled to announce its participation as an exhibitor at TECHSPO Phoenix & DigiMarCon Southwest 2024, taking place October 24-25, 2024, at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort, Phoenix, AZ. This prestigious event is a unique opportunity for Silicon Mountain to showcase its advanced manufacturing solutions alongside cutting-edge digital marketing, media, and advertising technologies.

Silicon Mountain will highlight its comprehensive electronics manufacturing services, including its recent initiatives to secure International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration. This significant move positions the company as a key player in the defense and aerospace sectors, ensuring compliance with stringent U.S. government regulations.

“As we prepare for ITAR registration, we are excited to present our expanded capabilities at TECHSPO Phoenix & DigiMarCon Southwest,” said Kris Townsend, General Manager and Owner of Silicon Mountain. “This event is the perfect platform to engage with industry leaders and showcase our innovative manufacturing solutions, which are now equipped to meet the needs of highly regulated sectors.”

Attendees visiting Silicon Mountain’s exhibit will learn about the company’s ITAR preparation and its commitment to advancing manufacturing solutions through secure and compliant processes. In collaboration with local partners CETEC and Agama Labs, Silicon Mountain is enhancing its security protocols, personnel training, and data management practices to meet ITAR standards, driving innovation in the national defense sector.

DigiMarCon Southwest 2024 provides an unparalleled opportunity to network with thought leaders, collaborate with peers, and gain insights into emerging digital strategies and technologies. With topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Programmatic Advertising, attendees will leave equipped with actionable insights to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

For more information on Silicon Mountain’s advanced capabilities and services, visit www.siliconmtn.net 

CRANSTON, RI – AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming SMT-Info Technical Conference taking place October 15-16 in Brno, Czech Republic. AIM’s Ales Sedlak will be giving a presentation titled “Addressing Concerns of Ultra-Miniature Component Assembly: M0201, 008005, and Micro/MiniLEDs.”

Presentation abstract: The use of ultra-miniature components is driven by the demand for increased functionality in electronic devices. SMT components such as 008004/M0201 are being used in consumer and automotive applications today. Similarly, MiniLED components are finding their way into displays available in the market. Manufacturers are creating new PCB designs, using novel assembly techniques, and introducing innovative materials to overcome the unique challenges faced when implementing these components. This presentation will discuss the new information on how to overcome the challenges faced in ultra-miniature component assembly and address the needs of emerging markets.

Among other great products, AIM will also be highlighting its recently released NC259FPA Ultrafine No Clean Solder Paste at this event. AIM’s NC259FPA is a zero-halogen paste engineered for precise print definition with type 6 and smaller alloy powders through stencil apertures less than 150 µm in diameter. Ideal for miniLED, microLED, die attach, micro BGA, and HDI boards, this innovative new product features excellent wetting, high transfer efficiency, high reliability, and high tack force for mass transfer.

To learn more about NC259FPA and to discover all of AIM’s products and services, visit the company at SMT-Info October 15-16, or visit www.aimsolder.com