VANCOUVER— BRIO Technology Ltd., a Beijing-based electronics assembler, has set up a branch office here as part of a push into the North American EMS market.

Canada BRIO is positioned to provide customer management, BOM sourcing and technical communications, the company said.

“China today has evolved to become a global manufacturing base”, says Yang Tongxing, president and cofounder. “North America’s small- to mid-tier CMs/OEMs/ODMs have not been able to access Chinese EMS production opportunities enjoyed by larger competitors."

Founded in 1999, BRIO is one of China’s EMS pioneers. Its customer list includes GE, Motorola, Philips, JVC and Pioneer.

The company operates manufacturing facilities in Beijing and Shanghai, with a total of 16 SMT lines (Panasonic, Samsung and Juki).

NORWOOD, MA - Electrical and electronic product manufacturers seeking third-party certification in Canada and the U.S. now have a single point-of-service: U.S.-based testing laboratory FM Approvals. The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) has accredited the company as a testing and certification organization.  

The lab meets the SCC's administrative and technical criteria for (1) hazardous-location electrical equipment covering all protection methods recognized in Canada; (2) electrical and electronic products; and (3) fire-alarm-and-signaling equipment.

FM Approvals is already a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in the U.S. The company approves and certifies products and services that meet its property loss prevention standards.

MILPITAS, CA -- Solectron Corp., has acquired a U.K.-based broker of electronics components for an undisclosed amount.

Solectron will merge the firm, ServiceSource Europe Ltd., with its electronics after-market services. SSE also provides component repair and service.

Carlsbad, CA – Alec J. Babiarz, senior vice president and founder of Asymtek, is one of four committee members elected to the IPC SMEMA (Surface-Mount Equipment Manufacturers Assoc.) Council Steering Committee. Other members elected for three-year terms include: Robert Muller, general manager commercial products at Teradyne ATD; Marc Peo, president of Heller Industries; and Jay Stepleton, general manager and VP for Agilent Technologies’ Manufacturing Test Business.

The Committee sets the agenda for the SMEMA Council, and creates new initiatives to improve supply chain efficiencies in the electronics manufacturing industry. One of its priorities is the organization of the Council’s Apex show.

Babiarz is co-developer in 31 patents worldwide for fluid dispensing equipment and has written numerous papers on fluid dispensing and jetting. He currently manages international sales and marketing at Asymtek, and serves as president of Nordson-Asymtek K.K., a division of the corporation in Japan.