WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Mary Thornton has joined the association as vice president of global policy. In this role, Thornton will lead SIA’s global policy team and direct the association’s global trade and economic security policy initiatives, among other issue areas. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.

“Semiconductors are at the heart of the global policy landscape, and it’s never been more critical for leaders in Washington and capitals around the world to enact policies that allow the chip industry to continue to grow and innovate,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “With extensive knowledge and experience at the intersection of global trade and technology policy, Mary Thornton will be an outstanding advocate for initiatives that will strengthen our industry. We’re excited to welcome her to the SIA team.”

Thornton most recently served as head of trade and export controls policy at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and previously led global trade and export controls policy at Texas Instruments Incorporated, a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced semiconductor products. Thornton served as a senior trade negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) from 2008-2018, representing the United States at the U.S. Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Switzerland. She successfully negotiated the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement at the WTO, which eliminated customs duties on hundreds of technology products across 80+ countries, and worked extensively to expand access and create export opportunities for U.S. companies in foreign markets through both various bilateral and multilateral fora. Thornton also served at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury.

Thornton earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in political science and mathematics from Colgate University.

PENANG, MALAYSIA – PEMTRON Corporation, an inspection equipment developer and supplier, is proud to announce the opening of its new office, PEMTRON SE Asia Sdn. Bhd., strategically located in Penang, Malaysia. This expansion is a significant milestone for PEMTRON as it strengthens the company's presence in the Southeast Asian region. The new office is situated at No. 44-G Persiaran Bayan Bay, 11900 Bayan Lepas Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. This strategic location allows PEMTRON to better serve its growing customer base and enhance its support capabilities in the region.

To lead this expansion and foster strong relationships with customers in Southeast Asia, PEMTRON is pleased to introduce Zack Tan as Sales Director – S.E.A. Mr. Tan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having been in the electronic field since 1994. With over 23 years of experience in the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) industry, he has been specializing in 3D Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) and 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) technologies since 2007.

Throughout his career, Tan has been associated with several renowned brands, including Sindenshi, Nagoya, JUKI, Parmi, MIrtec and now PEMTRON. His extensive knowledge of the industry and these cutting-edge technologies make him a valuable addition to the PEMTRON team.

With the opening of its new office in Penang and the appointment of Mr. Tan as the Regional Manager, PEMTRON is poised to provide even more comprehensive support and solutions to its valued customers in Southeast Asia. The company remains committed to delivering top-notch electronic inspection solutions and strengthening its global presence.

For more information about PEMTRON, visit https://pemtron.com/.

MINNEAPOLIS – Nortech Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: NSYS), a leading provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical and electromechanical products announced today two new members were elected to Nortech’s board of directors. Amy Fredregill and Jose Peris bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board, and will be instrumental in helping Nortech drive shareholder value.

Amy Fredregill has over 25 years of impact across industries, particularly advising the C-suite of energy, food and agricultural companies as well as governmental entities. She has a track record of working with leaders to drive shareholder value, and is skilled in business model transformation, scaling and succession planning. Amy has deep expertise in sustainability and environmental planning for organizations. Amy has a bachelor's degree in Economics from the College of Saint Benedict and a master's degree in Public Policy from George Washington University.

Jose Peris has extensive experience in finance and wealth management, including financial planning, investment consulting, private banking, trust and estate services. He is well-versed in corporate governance, risk management, education, and stewardship. Jose holds the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain and carries both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jose and Amy to the Nortech Board of Directors,” said Nortech Chairman, David Kunin. “Their expertise and experience will be invaluable as we navigate Nortech’s future as a leader in ESG, greentech, medtech as well as digital data connectivity and transformation.”

AUSTIN, TX – S and Y Industries, a leading contract manufacturer for printed circuit board assemblies and electro-mechanical assemblies, has successfully implemented Cetec ERP, transforming their manufacturing operations. The collaboration with Cetec ERP and CalcuQuote has brought significant improvements, streamlining processes and enhancing productivity.

S and Y Industries, based in Wichita, Kansas, with over 120 employees, has been navigating the challenges of the global parts shortage while maintaining a strong position in their industry. The need for efficient and agile solutions led them to explore Cetec ERP as their ERP software of choice.

With a global parts shortage impacting the purchasing operations, the company faced difficulties in managing confirmations, adjusting purchase orders, and reordering parts efficiently. S and Y Industries recognized the need for an automated solution to address this challenge.

The collaboration between Cetec ERP and CalcuQuote offered a comprehensive solution to the parts shortage issue. By implementing a new purchasing integration, S and Y Industries has reduced the time required to process 4,000 lines of demand from six weeks to just four hours. This change enables their purchasing team to focus on more strategic tasks, such as material management and supplier relationships.

S and Y Industries General Manager, Matt Miers expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with Cetec ERP and CalcuQuote, “The instant confirmations and significant reduction in data entry is expected to eliminate over 100,000 lines of data entry annually.” He also pointed out the broader benefits of Cetec ERP in terms of improving receiving processes, kitting processes, and providing the ability to go entirely digital. Miers added, “Cetec ERP's APIs enable seamless communication between various systems and streamline operations on the shop floor.”

Additionally, S and Y Industries commended Cetec ERP's software-as-a-service model, which aligns perfectly with their requirement for a dynamic and constantly evolving solution. They emphasized Cetec ERP's dedication to introducing new features and offering a forward-thinking approach that aligns with their growth goals.

The team at S and Y Industries envisions that this software will play a pivotal role in their journey toward full digitization, enhancing their scalability and competitiveness.

To learn more about Cetec ERP and their advanced manufacturing software solutions, visit www.cetecerp.com