Prestwick, UK. Etek Europe has been appointed as the official UK representative for SMT Thermal Discoveries, a globally respected German manufacturer of advanced reflow soldering systems with over 35 years of expertise in thermal process technology. The agreement gives Etek Europe’s customers direct access to SMT Thermal Discoveries’ comprehensive range of reflow and vacuum reflow soldering systems, including both standard convection ovens and the company’s industry-leading vacuum platforms, which are widely recognised for delivering void-free solder joints and exceptional process reliability.

The partnership represents a significant addition to Etek Europe‘s growing portfolio of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, reinforcing the company’s position as a trusted single-source partner for manufacturers seeking best-in-class process solutions across the full SMT line. SMT Thermal Discoveries systems are deployed by manufacturers worldwide and are particularly valued for their energy efficiency, high throughput and advanced process control capabilities, making them well suited to the demands of modern electronics production.

We have been looking for a reflow soldering partner that genuinely raises the bar in terms of process performance, energy efficiency and innovation, and SMT Thermal Discoveries is exactly that. Their systems have a well-earned reputation for precision and reliability, and the addition of their vacuum reflow technology to our portfolio gives our customers access to one of the most capable soldering platforms available today. We are delighted to represent them in the UK and look forward to introducing their technology to our customers,"
 said Bruce Seaton, business development director, Etek Europe.

Featured Systems include the:

SMT R-Series | Convection Reflow Soldering Systems - The SMT R-Series delivers maximum efficiency and high product throughput with consistent soldering quality. An innovative 3:1 heating zone concept enables a process-optimised thermal profile adaptable to a wide range of products without changing temperature settings. Integrated KAT process gas cleaning operates directly within the process area with no additional energy consumption, reducing maintenance requirements and extending service intervals. Intelligent nitrogen control via integrated lambda sensor technology minimises nitrogen consumption while providing real-time residual oxygen measurement for full process traceability.

Yamaha Motor has opened the Robotics Business Support Division as a sales and service facility for its robotics business in Gurugram, Haryana, India. The new facility has been established within Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd. (YMIS), which primarily handles sales of motorcycles and other Yamaha Motor products in India.

India's manufacturing sector has seen noteworthy growth and increasing sophistication in recent years, and the market is expected to continue expanding. The robotics field in India is also demonstrating strong market growth.

At the same time, Yamaha Motor believes there remains considerable room for its robotics business to further increase its brand recognition and expand in scale. In light of these conditions, the Company established the Robotics Business Support Division for the robotics business to strengthen its sales and service operations for Yamaha-brand robot products in India, streamline business processes, and promote continued investment.

The Robotics Business Support Division will first provide support for SMT Assembly Systems and industrial robots before establishing the requisite structures for handling semiconductor back-end processing equipment.

The facility also includes a showroom showcasing Yamaha Motor's latest robotics technologies. In addition to the Robotics Business Support Division's role in strengthening sales and service operations, this showroom provides clients with an environment where they can experience Yamaha's products and solutions firsthand, thereby helping them better envision real usage in their production sites. Through this space, Yamaha Motor aims to contribute to solving clients' production challenges and improving productivity.

Toronto, ON – [07/18/2025] – Bittele Electronics today announced that its Malaysia facility has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing the company’s global commitment to quality management and operational excellence.

The certification validates the implementation of robust quality management systems and processes at the Malaysia site. It ensures:

• Consistent Quality through stringent controls and oversight at all stages of production
• Operational Efficiency with streamlined workflows and optimized turnaround times
• Customer-Centric Focus by maintaining a high standard of service delivery and responsiveness

This milestone aligns with Bittele Electronics’ objective to provide uniform standards of excellence across all locations, including Canada, China, and Malaysia.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Printed Circuit Board Association of America celebrates the introduction of a crucial bill that will pave the way to reshore and restore America’s printed circuit board (PCB) industry.

"The challenge is that PCB production was offshored to heavily subsidized companies in Asia. This leaves American companies competing with countries,”said David Schild, executive director, PCBAA.

Over the past 30 years U.S. share of the world supply of PCBs shrunk from 30 percent to 4 percent because of offshoring. Congress is offering legislative solutions to reverse this trend.

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced S.4569, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, to incentivize domestic manufacturing of PCBs. The bill provides a 25% tax credit for the purchase or acquisition of American-made PCBs.

This bill is a companion to H.R. 3597, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act which also calls for the tax credit and a $3 billion grant program for support of American PCB manufacturers.

“These two bills impact both national and economic security. Every semiconductor needs a PCB to function. The challenge is that PCB production and know how has been offshored to heavily subsidized industries in Asia. This leaves American companies with the impossible task of competing with countries”, said David Schild, Executive Director of PCBAA. “We must reshore and restore this industry to reduce the reliance of other nations at the end of long and vulnerable supply chains.”

The American semiconductor industry is expanding because smart industrial policy has incentivized private investment. This legislation is the natural next step in an American manufacturing renaissance.