Press Releases
Atlanta — ECIA has issued an Industry Alert from its Global Industry Practices Committee (GIPC) experts to update members on ongoing tariff changes that have profoundly impacted the component industry.
“While recognizing the need to balance global trade and support U.S. manufacturing, ECIA has taken the position that tariffs have imposed significant and uneven challenges on the component channel. ECIA is committed to monitoring the situation,” ECIA VP of Industry Practices Christine Wolnik commented.
“ECIA Industry Alert: Tariffs” concerns the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency’s guidance statement regarding President Trump’s January 14, 2026, Proclamation, pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862), which imposes 25 percent ad valorem duties on certain imports of semiconductors and their derivative products. The Industry Alert outlines Key Points and recommended responses going forward that companies need to understand to address these new restrictions.
View the complete ECIA Industry Alert.
Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has supported CEM, Prototype Electronics, with the installation of a Scienscope X-ray inspection system, strengthening non-destructive inspection capability for complex electronic assemblies.
As assemblies increasingly incorporate bottom-terminated devices and dense multilayer PCB structures, Prototype Electronics identified the need to extend inspection beyond surface-level techniques. X-ray inspection enables verification of hidden solder joints and internal connections, providing additional assurance where conventional optical inspection is limited.
Following a competitive evaluation process involving demonstrations, sample validation and formal scoring against multiple suppliers, Prototype Electronics selected the Scienscope Xspection 3000, supplied and supported by Altus. The system was specified in the 130kV close-tube configuration, incorporating a micro-focus X-ray tube, high-resolution flat panel detector and fully programmable motion control. Flexible inspection geometry, including oblique viewing angles and a rotating inspection table, supports detailed analysis of dense, multilayer PCB assemblies and complex components, with zero tube maintenance requirements.
Daniel Ryland, Engineering Manager at Prototype Electronics, said: “We chose the Scienscope Xspection 3000 for its advanced imaging capabilities, user-friendly interface, and reliability in detecting hidden defects within complex assemblies, critical for maintaining the high standards our customers expect. Its high-resolution X-ray technology provides clear and accurate inspection results, which significantly enhances our quality control processes
“We chose to partner with Altus Group for the supply of the Xspection 3000 because of their excellent industry reputation, responsive support, and in-depth technical knowledge. Their guidance throughout the selection and installation process was invaluable, and their commitment to customer service gives us confidence that we’ll continue to receive the support we need as we integrate this technology into our operations.”
Anthony Oh, Technical Sales and Project Manager at Altus Group, said: “It has been encouraging to see the steady growth of UK-based installations of Scienscope batch X-ray systems over recent years, and to secure another competitive project against our market peers. We believe the balance of capability and price point makes us a strong partner for UK CEMs, supported by our experience in inspection and customer support. I am pleased for Prototype and glad to see the system already delivering value on site.”
Altus Group has partnered with Scienscope for over eight years, supporting X-ray inspection installations across the UK and Ireland with dedicated technical and application support.
www.altusgroup.co.ukwww.altusgroup.co.uk
Dallas, Texas — February 2026 — SMarTsol announces that, effective this year, as part of its strategic partnership with ASMPT, Smartsol America has expanded its role as Sales Representative for SMT solutions across the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
This expansion builds on SMarTsol’s existing presence in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, further strengthening its regional footprint across the Americas.
This expanded territorial coverage enables SMarTsol to provide customers with greater proximity, local support, and regional coverage, ensuring closer collaboration and faster response to the needs of the U.S. industrial market.
As part of this growth, Smartsol America is strengthening its presence in Texas with the opening of a new office in Dallas, in addition to its existing office in El Paso, enhancing its commercial reach and regional support capabilities for electronics manufacturing customers.
“This expansion marks an important strategic milestone for Smartsol America,” said Adan Galindo, VP & Regional Sales Manager of Smartsol America. “Beyond expanding our geographic footprint, we are strengthening our value proposition by offering closer customer engagement, regional support, and access to world-class SMT solutions in partnership with ASMPT.”
From ASMPT’s perspective, Gary Burroughs, Director of Account Management, commented: “SMarTsol America’s expansion in the U.S., along with its strengthened local presence in Texas, demonstrates its commitment to customer proximity and service excellence. This regional structure supports our joint strategy to deliver advanced SMT solutions with a high level of support.”
This announcement highlights the shared commitment of SMarTsol, Smartsol America, and ASMPT to supporting the industrial market through strong regional presence and close customer relationships.
Para información adicional acerca de SMarTsol Technologies visita www.smartsolamerica.com.
SANTA CLARA, CA ― February 2026 ― Absolute EMS, Inc., a Silicon Valley–based provider of high-technology electronics manufacturing services, today announced the appointment of Mark Sika as President. With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across semiconductor manufacturing, advanced engineering, operations, and large-scale infrastructure programs, Sika brings deep operational and strategic expertise to the role.
As President, Sika will oversee corporate strategy, operational performance, and customer engagement, building on Absolute EMS’s nearly 30-year foundation of precision manufacturing, scalability, and long-term partnerships.
“Mark’s track record of building high-performing teams, scaling complex operations, and delivering measurable results in highly regulated, technology-driven environments makes him an outstanding addition to Absolute EMS,” said Jeff Bullis, CEO. “His leadership strengthens our ability to execute on growth initiatives while continuing to deliver the operational discipline and customer focus that define our company.”
Sika most recently served as General Manager for Northern California at DISH Wireless, where he led the design, deployment, and performance of the nation’s first cloud-native, standalone 5G Open RAN network. He built and directed a 40+ person organization, achieved federal regulatory milestones, and executed multi-jurisdictional infrastructure programs with industry-leading speed and performance.
Earlier in his career, Sika held senior leadership roles at Nexius Solutions, Mobilitie, AT&T, Motorola, and Axcelis Technologies, with responsibilities spanning engineering, operations, finance, business development, and capital program management. His background combines technical depth with financial and operational oversight—an asset as Absolute EMS continues expanding its support for complex, high-reliability programs.
Sika’s appointment reinforces Absolute EMS’s commitment to serving customers across its core markets, including medical, military, industrial, networking, and engineering sectors. His experience scaling operations, improving efficiency, and driving process innovation aligns with the company’s mission to deliver flexible, U.S.-based manufacturing solutions—from prototype builds to high-volume production.
Founded in 1996, Absolute EMS operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the heart of Silicon Valley. The company specializes in controlled, repeatable manufacturing processes designed to support miniaturization, rapid product introduction, and scalable production—helping customers navigate onshoring initiatives and increasingly complex supply chain requirements.
“I’m honored to join Absolute EMS at such an exciting time,” said Sika. “The company’s technical capabilities and commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing create a strong foundation for continued growth. I look forward to working with the team to strengthen partnerships and help our customers bring innovative products to market efficiently and reliably.”
For more information about Absolute EMS, visit www.absolute-ems.com.
TORRANCE, CA — February 2026 — Seika Machinery, Inc., a leading provider of advanced machinery, materials and engineering services, will host a live technical webinar, “Strain Gage Based Bolt Axial Force Measurement – Effects of Vibration and Temperature in Battery and PCB Fastening,” on Wednesday, March 4th at 10:00 am. Engineers and manufacturing professionals can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gNNnro3TyC5dqfan-jt1A.
As electrification advances and electronics become more compact and power-dense, fastening reliability has become increasingly critical. Vibration and temperature fluctuations can significantly alter bolt axial force in battery systems and PCB assemblies, potentially leading to loosening, degraded electrical contact, and long-term reliability failures. These changes are often undetectable through torque control methods alone.
The webinar introduces strain gage-based bolt axial force measurement as a quantitative method for directly evaluating fastening conditions. The session will highlight BoltEye™ bolt axial sensors from Kyowa, which are customized by drilling the bolt, bonding strain gages, and routing lead wires to enable real-time axial force measurement.
Available for a wide range of bolt sizes—from M3 screws used in PCB assemblies to M64 bolts for heavy applications—BoltEye sensors can be customized for various bolt shapes and materials. The sensors are capable of measuring axial force during tightening, as well as monitoring loosening caused by vibration, high temperature, and thermal cycling. Measurement capability extends up to 300°C, making the solution suitable for demanding battery and power electronics environments.
A key focus of the webinar will be measurement stability. Compared to conventional embedded strain gage methods, Kyowa’s heat-crimping technique to the inner surface of the bolt hole provides improved zero return performance and greater stability under both room and elevated temperature conditions. The session will also address common challenges such as drift, creep during temperature cycling, and maintaining accuracy above 40°C.
To ensure reliable data, Seika and Kyowa provide load calibration and temperature characteristic data for customized bolt axial sensors. Calibration is performed using data loggers traceable to national standards, allowing accurate conversion from strain output to true axial force. Temperature characteristic data supports correction when measurements are conducted under changing thermal conditions—an essential requirement in battery testing and PCB validation.
By directly visualizing axial force rather than inferring it from torque, strain-based measurement provides valuable insight for design validation, reliability assessment, and troubleshooting. Engineers gain a clearer understanding of joint behavior under real-world operating conditions, supporting improved product durability and long-term performance.
The webinar is especially relevant for design engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality professionals, and reliability teams working with battery systems, EV components, power electronics, and PCB assemblies.
For more information, contact Michelle Ogihara at 310-540-7310; e-mail michelle@seikausa.com; or visit www.seikausa.com.
Fraser, MI — February 2026 — K&F Electronics, a third-generation, family-owned electronics assembly provider, has installed a SASinno Ultra-i1 offline selective soldering system, expanding its selective soldering capacity and improving process consistency for customer programs that require precise, repeatable results.
Founded in 1972, K&F Electronics has evolved into a long-established U.S. provider of electronic assembly services, supporting customers across a range of industries with reliable, high-quality builds. The addition of the Ultra-i1 allows K&F to handle a broader mix of board designs, lot sizes, and production schedules while maintaining quality and delivery expectations.
The SASinno Ultra Series, which includes the Ultra-i1 and Ultra-i2 models, is designed for operations with frequent changeovers and mixed production runs. The Ultra-i1 installed at K&F provides controlled selective soldering for small- to medium-batch production without slowing overall throughput.
Key features of the system include fiducial recognition, jet fluxing, automatic nozzle cleaning, and dual preheating zones to support stable soldering conditions. A maintenance-free electromagnetic pump and nitrogen heating help deliver consistent solder quality across production runs.
System operation and setup are managed through a Windows-based interface, with tools such as live soldering cameras, wave height calibration, and barcode tracking to support process verification and documentation.
“This addition gives us greater control over selective soldering and more flexibility for the mix of programs we support,” said Sean Kincaid, President of K&F Electronics. “It helps us respond quickly to new requirements while maintaining the level of quality our customers rely on.” The Ultra-i1 installation reflects K&F Electronics’ continued investment in equipment that strengthens process reliability and supports customer schedules.
For more information about K&F Electronics and its electronics assembly services, visit www.circuitboards.com.
