Seoul, Korea – Three of electronics manufacturing's most innovative companies announced the formation of THE SMT FUTURE EXPERIENCE, an independent collaborative venue designed to accelerate innovation and define the future of SMT manufacturing. Founding partners Koh Young, Fuji America, and Creative Electron will unite their technologies and expertise in a first-of-its-kind facility opening in San Marcos, California.

More than a lab, more than a showroom. THE SMT FUTURE EXPERIENCE is where cutting-edge concepts become manufacturing reality through unprecedented supplier collaboration. The venue features a live SMT production line, collaborative workspaces, and educational facilities where industry leaders can innovate, experiment, educate, and collaborate openly.

"The electronics manufacturing industry has long operated in competitive silos," said Dr. Bill Cardoso, CEO of Creative Electron. "THE SMT FUTURE EXPERIENCE breaks down those barriers, creating an environment where the best minds in the industry can work together to solve the complex challenges facing modern manufacturing."

The facility will serve multiple functions:

A permanent exploration and demonstration space showcasing the latest SMT advancements

• Educational programs developing the next generation of manufacturing talent
• Collaborative workspaces where industry partners co-create solutions
• Regular technology summits defining the future direction of electronics manufacturing
• Launch Event: Setting the 2026 Manufacturing AgendaTHE SMT FUTURE EXPERIENCE will officially launch with a two-day event on February 11-12, 2026, featuring intensive summits designed for manufacturing decision-makers:

• DAY 1 | February 11 - EMS COO SUMMIT - An Operational Excellence Summit for COOs, VPs of Operations, and manufacturing or engineering leaders ready to transform production environments. Join expert presenters and industry peers to tackle your biggest challenges and discover proven strategies for measurable improvement.
• DAY 2 | February 12 - AI in Electronics Manufacturing Summit - The AI revolution is here. Learn how to build a successful AI strategy that delivers real results in your manufacturing environment, not just hype, but practical implementation roadmaps. If you are building an AI strategy, then you will not want to miss this event.

"This launch event will set the agenda for operational excellence throughout 2026," said Philip Stoten, Event Director. "We're bringing together the industry's brightest minds to tackle the most pressing challenges in manufacturing from operational optimization to AI integration."

The venue's founding partners represent comprehensive coverage of critical SMT manufacturing needs:

• Koh Young contributes world-class 3D inspection and measurement solutions, enabling manufacturers to achieve the highest quality standards through advanced AI-powered inspection technology.
• Fuji America brings industry-leading placement technology and automation expertise, helping manufacturers achieve unprecedented speed and accuracy in electronics assembly.
• Creative Electron provides cutting-edge X-ray inspection systems, offering manufacturers critical visibility into component quality and assembly integrity.

Registration for the February 11-12 launch event is limited to 250 industry leaders to ensure meaningful collaboration and engagement. Additional details and registration information will be available at https://www.futureexperienced.com/.

MILWAUKIE, OR ― December 2025 ― NanoFlowX, the leader in ultra-thin protective coatings for electronics, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Bentec Ltd. Under this agreement, Bentec has been appointed to recruit, support, and manage a dedicated network of representatives across Europe and India.

This partnership significantly expands NanoFlowX’s global footprint and strengthens its mission to bring safer, more efficient, and more sustainable PCB protection technologies to manufacturers worldwide.

NanoFlowX’s proprietary nanocoating platform offers a transformative alternative to traditional conformal coatings. With no masking required, electronics manufacturers can dramatically reduce preparation time, labor costs, and production bottlenecks. Unlike conventional coatings, NanoFlowX-treated PCBs remain fully reworkable, delivering lower waste, easier repairs, and streamlined workflows.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bentec Ltd as we scale our presence across Europe and India,” said Rick Fung, CEO, NanoFlowX. “Bentec’s strong industry relationships and proven technical expertise make them the ideal partner to introduce our nanocoating technologies into these key regions. Together, we’re bringing a more sustainable, higher-performance coating solution to manufacturers searching for better ways to protect their electronics.”

As part of the partnership, Bentec will lead NanoFlowX’s regional expansion strategy, including market development, technical education, and establishing a robust representative network to support local customers and OEMs.

This collaboration marks an important milestone in NanoFlowX’s global growth strategy and reinforces the company’s commitment to replacing outdated, chemical-heavy conformal coating processes with environmentally conscious, cost-saving nanocoating solutions.

For more information or to schedule a demo, visit www.nanoflowx.com.

MUNICH, GERMANY – From November 18 to 21, over 1,600 exhibitors from 52 countries met at productronica to present innovations in electronics development and production. Compared to the previous edition, this year’s event saw an increase of around 20 percent in exhibitor numbers and more than 10 percent in the number of visitors. The key topics included advanced packaging, power electronics, and reliable microelectronics.

The sharp rise worldwide in demand for electronic components has thrust the topic of trusted microelectronics further into the industry spotlight. productronica 2025 picked up on this trend and showed how new technologies, testing solutions, and manufacturing approaches are helping improve transparency and security along the entire value chain. The trade fair thus sent a clear signal for the future viability of the industry.

Messe München CEO Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer underscores the event’s significance: “productronica 2025 has impressively demonstrated how important it is for global electronics manufacturing. Record internationality and the strong partnership with SEMICON Europa create a vibrant environment for innovation. The outstanding feedback from our exhibitors and visitors affirms its status as the industry’s most important meeting place.”

Internationality among exhibitors hits record level

productronica 2025 was more international than ever before. The share of exhibiting companies from abroad was around 58 percent (2023: 54 percent). In a ten-year comparison, the internationality of exhibitors even rose by more than ten percentage points (2015: 46 percent). In addition to Germany, the top exhibitor countries at productronica 2025 included China, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Switzerland, Austria, and South Korea.

In total, more than 47,000 visitors from 98 countries came to Munich for productronica 2025. Alongside Germany, the top visitor countries were Italy, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Rainer Kurtz, Chairman of the productronica Advisory Board, was thoroughly impressed with the anniversary edition: “A family get-together for global electronics manufacturers: That is what productronica has been for the last 50 years. What was special about this year’s trade fair was the increased presence of international visitors and the explosion of innovations. Munich did well again.”

Thilo Brückner, CEO of VDMA Electronics, Solar and Battery Production, shares a similar view: “The anniversary edition of productronica was a resounding success for VDMA ESB and Productronic with, among others, the highly acclaimed Special Exhibit Area. Our exhibiting members reported a strong volume of leads, and there was a sense of much optimism in the packed halls despite the challenging times.”
As the conceptual partner of productronica, VDMA Productronic provided intensive support in selecting the focus topics and for the special show featuring practical examples from the fields of electromobility and autonomous driving.

Exhibitor and visitor satisfaction at the highest level

In the overall rating, both exhibitors and visitors were once again very satisfied with productronica. According to a survey carried out by the market research institute Gelszus, 98 percent of the visitors rated the event as excellent to good. In addition, 95 percent of the visitors surveyed said that productronica had lived up to their expectations regarding innovations.

productronica also received top marks from exhibitors. For 91 percent of companies, the trade fair was excellent to good. 90 percent of the exhibitors praised the high quality of the visitors.

According to project manager Barbara Müller, these top-level marks confirm the strength of the trade fair concept: “The positive ratings by exhibitors and visitors clearly reflect productronica’s strong international appeal. The trade fair is a global networking platform that highlights relevant innovations and enables business success.”

50 years of productronica—half a century of the world-leading trade fair in Munich

productronica celebrated its anniversary this year. Originally launched as an exhibition area at electronica, productronica was first held as an independent event in Munich in 1975. What began back then with 94 companies from twelve countries and 3,900 visitors evolved within a few years into the leading platform for electronics development and production. To mark productronica’s 50th anniversary, Messe München honored companies that have been there right from the start. Among the very first exhibitors are AAT Aston, Brady, Konradin, Kurtz Ersa, Rohde & Schwarz, Komax Group/Schleuniger, and Schmoll Maschinen.

SEMICON Europa, which occupied three halls as a co-located event, also celebrated its 50th anniversary.
With regard to that, Ajit Manocha, CEO SEMI, praised the cooperation between the two trade fairs: “We greatly value the strong partnership between SEMI and Messe München, and look forward to deepening our collaboration in Munich and globally for many years to come. productronica, electronica, and SEMICON Europa together provide the most impactful trade show platform in Europe for the semiconductor and electronics industries, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue this promising growth trajectory together.”

More exhibitor statements on productronica 2025 (in alphabetical order by company):

Günter Lauber, CSO and SMT Segment Chairman ASMPT:
“For 50 years, productronica has been the leading global trade fair for our industry and a central platform for reinforcing the innovative strength and competitiveness of the European location in the increasingly convergent semiconductor and electronics manufacturing landscape. productronica 2025 clearly exceeded targets and expectations. We were especially pleased with the enthusiasm of our visitors from Asia and America, who had the opportunity to see our completely newly developed SIPLACE V platform for the first time live in action.”

Stefan Janssen, CEO Fuji Europe Corporation:
“The fact that productronica has endured for 50 years in such a dynamic industry underscores its importance as a central decision-making forum for electronics manufacturing. Once again, the trade fair gave us the perfect setting to discuss the latest developments in assembly with customers and partners directly on our demonstration line. The strong interest at the trade fair reassures us that the transition to AI-driven, networked production systems has long become reality.”

Frank Berthaux, Sales Director Germany Keysight:
“productronica brings together the people shaping the future of electronics. Keysight is proud to be here supporting our customers with the tools and insights they need to design, test, and deliver with confidence.”

Matijas Meyer, CEO Komax Group:
“productronica was one of this year’s highlights for us. We were able to showcase our products and services to numerous existing and potential new customers and demonstrate how we offer them real added value. We were especially pleased to win the productronica Innovation Award in our anniversary year—celebrating 50 years of Komax and 50 years of Schleuniger.”

Clemens Otte, Director of Microelectronics & Cables at ZVEI:
“productronica was an important signal that radiated optimism and confidence. Our industry has a future. The electronics industry drives and sets the pace for innovation and prosperity by decisively advancing megatrends such as automation, digitalization, AI, and renewable energies.”

The next productronica will be held in Munich from November 16 to 19, 2027.

HARRISBURG, PA ― Cumberland Electronics Strategic Supply Solutions (CE3S), your strategic sourcing, professional solutions and distribution partner, is pleased to share that Desco Industries will host its ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 Training Course this February, offering a clear and practical introduction to the industry’s most widely adopted ESD control standard. Registration is now open for this four-part virtual series, designed for anyone responsible for implementing, managing, or supporting an ESD control program.

ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 serves as the global baseline for establishing, verifying, and maintaining effective ESD programs across electronics manufacturing, labs, and high-reliability environments. Desco’s training is aimed at engineers, technicians, quality personnel, supervisors, and ESD coordinators—especially those who are new to ESD program management or looking to strengthen their understanding of the standard.

The course covers both foundational concepts and detailed technical requirements, including grounding, worksurfaces, personnel grounding methods, flooring systems, seating, ionization, shelving, mobile equipment, packaging, continuous monitoring, garments, and compliance verification. A review of the administrative and technical sections of S20.20-2021 is also included. Participants who complete all sessions and related assessments will receive an official certificate of completion.

Course Schedule (All sessions 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST):

• Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – ESD Basics / Administrative & Technical Review of S20.20-2021
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – Grounding / Personnel Grounding / Wrist Straps / Continuous Monitoring / Flooring
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Worksurfaces / Mobile Equipment / Shelving / Seating
• Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Packaging / Ionization / Garments / Gloves / Finger Cots

CE3S encourages electronics manufacturers and ESD program owners to take advantage of this in-depth course. Past attendees have praised the program for making complex topics understandable and for providing immediately useful guidance that strengthens real-world ESD control efforts.

Registration is now open: Register Here.