Norwalk, CT -  Richard Schuler, the director of Lean implementation at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center (IADC) in Andover, MA, will give the keynote address for the Nepcon East/Electro and Assembly East event in Boston this May. His presentation will cover "Lean Transformation Process...Leveraging the Power of Many."
 
Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) was awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing last September for its successful Lean manufacturing strategies and practices. 
  
Schuler is responsible for leading the transformation to a Lean inclusive culture within IDS by establishing the strategy, policy deployment, process and measurements used by the organization.  He joined Raytheon in 1966, holding various positions in reliability engineering. From 1979 to 1989, he left to work in several commercial companies. Upon returning to Raytheon, Schuler was director of metal fabrication. He also served as the director of integrated air defense operations and is responsible for providing resources and direction for the operations team that was aligned with the IAD business to execute all air defense programs.

"Raytheon's achievement in winning the 2005 Shingo Prize is not only something to honor but also something to learn from," said Kelvin Marsden-Kish, vice president of the NEPCON/Assembly family of events, produced by Reed Exhibitions.  "The constant demand of doing more with less is what manufacturing professionals are challenged with daily.  We are very excited to have Mr. Schuler share his successes and how they can be applied to the working environments of our attendees."

Brussels, Belgium and Randburg, South Africa – Valor Computerized Systems has appointed South African-based Zetech CC as its representative.

Founded in 1986, Zetech supplies manufacturing equipment, software, materials and technical support to the electronics industry. Its customers are major electronic manufacturers in South Africa such as Elprom, Conlog, Grintek, Kentron, Microtronix, Panasonic and Shurlok. Zetech will resell and distribute Valor’s solutions, and will also provide implementation, support and training services for companies in the South African region.

ATLANTA, GA – PCB designers and engineers are invited to battle it out for the honor of being a top designer in the annual PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame contest. The intensive two-day contest, sponsored by Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture magazine, is held March 26-28 in conjunction with PCB Design Conference West in Santa Clara, CA
 
Participants will be put through a stringent battery of tests, including a written exam, personal interviews and an actual board design. The top scorer(s) will be inducted into the PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame, gaining a plaque and a coveted Top Gun-style leather flight jacket.
 
"We want to take every opportunity to promote PCB engineers and designers as the salt of the earth,” said Pete Waddell, president of UP Media Group Inc., publisher of PCD&M. “Since we cannot directly influence their salary or other compensation, we want to direct a spotlight on the talents of these individuals whenever possible. The PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame is one event that helps us do this."

Entry forms must be submitted by Tuesday, February 28.
 
For more info: pcbwest.com/topgun.