MILPITAS, CA – FlexTech, a SEMI Technology Community, today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to advance flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) technologies, including the development of advanced materials and additive processing. Selected projects will receive cash awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. The program is funded by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). ARL funding will be matched with contributions by selected recipients to cover total project cost.

The RFP seeks proposals targeting FHE advances in the following areas:

• Advanced Materials
• Integrated Digital Twin Platforms for Multiscale, Multimaterial, Additive Electronics Manufacturing
• System Integration, Reliability, and Standards for Scalable FHE and Additive Electronics Manufacturing
• Restricted Open Topics
  • Market & Application Landscape Assessment
  • Process Development Kit for FHE
  • 3D Geometry & Co-Design Tools

Organizations submitting proposals will be evaluated based on their capabilities, experiences, and strengths. See the FlexTech 2025 RFP for more details on the evaluation process.

White Paper Submissions

White paper submissions, the first step in responding to the RFP, are due July 14, 2025. Following the review of white papers by the RFP review committee, FlexTech will invite selected organizations to submit full proposals. The committee consists of FlexTech Council members and other subject matter experts (SMEs). Evaluation criteria include:

• Rationale
• Budget
• Collaboration value
• Dual-use (industry and military) applicability
• Relevance to the FHE ecosystem
• Schedules and milestones
• Reasonable and stretch deliverables
• Overall proposal quality
• Request for Proposals Webinar

To help organizations craft their proposals, FlexTech staff will review the RFP topics and the submission and review process during a live webinar on June 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. PDT. A recording will be available for registrants unable to attend the event. Register for the webinar.

CHINA – Essemtec is pleased to announce that Jacky Zhou has joined the company as Country Sales Manager for China, effective immediately. With more than two decades of experience in technical applications, sales development, and operational management, Jacky brings a wealth of expertise to further strengthen Essemtec’s presence in this strategically important market.

Jacky’s impressive background includes leadership roles at major industry players such as Mycronic, AmericanTec, ViTechnology, WKK, and Flextronics. His deep knowledge of the electronics manufacturing sector in China – spanning from application engineering to regional sales leadership – makes him an asset to Essemtec and its customer network.
In his new role, Jacky will be responsible for driving business growth across China while supporting and collaborating with Essemtec’s trusted local partners. He also will focus on strengthening customer relationships and ensuring they receive exceptional support and tailored solutions.

“Having Jacky Zhou on board marks a significant step forward for Essemtec in China,” said Klaus Salmhofer, Director APAC at Essemtec. “His strong track record, deep industry knowledge, and customer-centric approach align perfectly with our vision. With Jacky working closely with our partners Intellengine, SF-SMT, and DKSH, we’re confident that we will strengthen our customer relationships and accelerate growth in the region.”

Jacky holds dual MBAs from Westminster College and Donghua University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Electric Power Supply from North China Electric Power University.

“Joining Essemtec marks a new and exciting chapter in my career. I’m eager to work with our local teams and partners to drive success and bring the company’s dynamic solutions to more customers across China,” said Jacky Zhou.

Jacky’s appointment marks a new chapter for Essemtec in China as we continue to deliver innovative, high-performance SMT solutions tailored to the evolving needs of our customers. His strategic mindset and experience support our mission: “Our Focus – Your Solution.”

VERNON HILLS, IL – Fuji America Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Choi as Business Development Manager for North America, effective April 2025. With over two decades of experience in the electronics manufacturing industry, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in sales, engineering, and strategic growth.​

Prior to joining Fuji America, Mark held leadership roles at Hanwha Semitech, including Vice President of Sales for the U.S. and Canada, and Western Regional Sales Manager. His extensive background also includes engineering leadership positions at Samsung and Dynatech, where he focused on advanced SMT solutions and customer-centric innovation.​

In his new role, Mark will be responsible for driving business development initiatives across North America, strengthening customer relationships and expanding Fuji’s market presence in the region.​

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the Fuji America team,” said Tom Zabkiewicz, Executive Vice President at Fuji America Corporation. “His deep industry expertise and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled service to our customers.”​

Mark holds a degree from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and is based in Garden Grove, California.​

EUROPE – Scanfil and Emerson signed an agreement concerning the Rosemount Tank Radar for Advanced Level Measurement Solutions. Emerson is a global technology, software and engineering company domiciled in the USA. Emerson’s Tank Radar Solutions field-mounted controllers feature a modern design and provide a simple, intuitive user interface.

“The agreed partnership between Scanfil and Emerson is new, and we are really excited. Emerson has very high standards to their partners in terms of quality and on time delivery “, tells Scanfil’s Sales Manager Martin Kållberg at Scanfil’s Malmö plant. “We started with prototypes and a new product introduction process in 2024, and we are now entering the manufacturing phase of tank radar control units”.

Quality is a key element as the radar solution plays a crucial role in controlling pumps in lifting stations or wet wells, ensuring efficient and secure operation. To secure the quality and align with Emerson’s high requirements, Scanfil has invested in new coating lines and UV-light cured coating line.

“Scanfil will manufacture and assemble our tank radar control units. They can meet our commitment to high-quality and fast”, says Emerson’s Strategic Purchaser Miguel Gonçalves. “This collaboration sets a new milestone for our collaborations, highlighting the potential for future developments."