PHOENIX, AZ ― Latham Industries, a renowned woman owned electronics contract manufacturer headquartered in Phoenix, has made a strategic investment in Inovaxe’s cutting-edge smart storage solutions to enhance operational efficiency and optimize inventory management.

As part of this initiative, Latham Industries acquired a Mobile Smart Rack (Model SR200-7-C) in 2023 and recently expanded its capabilities with the addition of four Smart Stationary SREX Stockroom Racks, including

• 1x SREX700-C
• 1x SREX700-NC
• 2x SREX130-12-NC

Inovaxe’s SR Smart Mobile Racks are engineered with a compact design to streamline material flow between the stockroom and production lines while enabling efficient kit transfers. Operators can retrieve or return reels, tubes, or trays in seconds, minimizing delays and ensuring uninterrupted production. Each rack supports storage for 7", 13", 15", or a mix of reels and allows materials to be quickly returned to stock, maximizing storage capacity without sacrificing accessibility.

The SREX Smart Stationary Stockroom Racks provide high-density storage solutions designed to optimize inventory management and material flow. These racks help reduce operator errors and significantly cut retrieval times by employing an intuitive LED locator system that guides operators to the correct part within seconds. Each SREX rack can store 880 7″ reels, 480 13″ reels, 400 15″ reels, or a mix of 7″, 13″, and 15″ reels.

Ideal for stockrooms or production supermarkets, SREX racks are modular, configurable, and cost-effective. Their intelligent design includes reel locations that light up—along with double-sided beacons—to quickly identify parts required for picks. With reels retrievable in under 4 seconds and returnable in under 8 seconds, these racks reduce kitting time from hours to mere seconds.

The SREX racks feature a compact footprint, are accessible from both sides for faster operation, and include built-in sensors that automatically track reel locations. This ensures precise inventory management while eliminating the risk of misplaced components, making them a flexible and indispensable tool for modern manufacturing environments.

Integrated with Inovaxe’s easy to use InoAuto software, these advanced systems help streamline Latham Industries’ SMT operations by reducing line downtimes and eliminating operator errors. With various integration options, Inovaxe’s solutions close the loop on inventory management, eradicating inefficiencies and providing real-time visibility into work-in-progress (WIP).

“We are thrilled to see Latham Industries integrate Inovaxe’s smart material handling solutions into their manufacturing operations,” said Margy Khoshnood, Executive Vice President of Inovaxe. “Their commitment to innovation and operational excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to transform the way manufacturers manage inventory and streamline production. By implementing our SR Smart Mobile Racks and SREX Smart Stationary Racks, Latham Industries is taking a proactive step toward achieving greater efficiency, reducing downtime, and ensuring precise inventory control. Inovaxe is honored to support their efforts in leveraging advanced technologies to enhance their manufacturing processes and deliver superior products and services to their customers.”

Tracey Latham, CEO of Latham Industries, echoed this sentiment: “Our investment in Inovaxe’s smart storage solutions is a game-changer for our operations. With these innovative systems in place, we can significantly enhance our material management processes, reduce downtime, and ensure greater accuracy in inventory control.”

The implementation of Inovaxe’s technology aligns with Latham Industries’ ongoing efforts to leverage automation and smart manufacturing practices to provide superior services to its customers. Latham Industries stands out as an industry leader, being both ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability in its electronic manufacturing services.

For more information about Latham Industries, please visit www.lathamindustries.com.

About Latham Industries

Latham Industries is a leading electronics contract manufacturer based in Phoenix, offering a wide range of services in the assembly and manufacturing of electronic components and systems. With a strong focus on quality, safety, and reliability, Latham Industries remains dedicated to delivering innovative and dependable solutions to clients across diverse sectors.

NAMPA, ID ― April 2025 ― Silicon Mountain Contract Services, a leading provider of custom electronics manufacturing solutions, reaffirms its commitment to U.S.-based production, offering a reliable domestic solution for OEMs navigating the complexities of global tariffs and supply chain disruptions.

With over two decades of experience, Silicon Mountain specializes in high-quality electronics manufacturing services, including SMT, through-hole technology, and comprehensive assembly solutions. Its dedication to excellence is underscored by its ISO 9001:2015 certification and RoHS compliance, ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards.

In response to increasing demand for advanced manufacturing capabilities, Silicon Mountain has recently invested in a state-of-the-art wire stripping machine, enhancing its high-level assembly processes. This addition allows for greater precision and efficiency, meeting the intricate requirements of modern electronic components.

Furthermore, the company has implemented the Cetec ERP system, a cutting-edge enterprise resource planning solution designed to optimize manufacturing efficiency and elevate customer experience. This integration offers:

• Enhanced Inventory Accuracy: Smart reel inventory management ensures precise material allocation for seamless production.

• Stronger Traceability: Full visibility into revisions, part changes, and engineering updates reduces risks and enhances quality.

• Increased Operational Efficiency: Real-time production data and automated workflows increase responsiveness.

• Cost Control & Waste Reduction: Scrap and attrition tracking optimize material use and minimize waste.

• Agile Supply Chain: Flexible purchasing and alternate part tracking alleviate bottlenecks and streamline production.

“The ability to handle complex builds with speed, accuracy, and full visibility is a game-changer,” said Eddie Garcia, Operations Manager at Silicon Mountain. “Cetec ERP allows us to deliver higher-quality products, faster lead times, and unmatched transparency.”

As global manufacturing faces unprecedented challenges, Silicon Mountain stands ready to support OEMs seeking dependable, domestic manufacturing partners.

For more information about Silicon Mountain’s advanced capabilities and services, visit www.siliconmtn.net.

About Silicon Mountain

Silicon Mountain is a manufacturing partner capable of both low and high-volume production, which allows customers to quickly go from product development to market. The company’s business model is built with a clear understanding of the importance of time to market and supply chain availability.

HORSHAM, PA — Aegis Software has partnered with Hanwha Semitech Americas to introduce the FactoryLogix® Machine Programmer as a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for U.S. Surface Mount Technology (SMT) customers. This innovative offering aims to streamline automated machine programming, expedite new product introductions (NPI), and enhance overall production efficiency.

FactoryLogix Machine Programmer automates key processes such as CAD and BOM data conversion into machine programs in seconds, accommodating decades’ worth of data formats, including Gerber files. By automating part number assignments, board rotation, and panelization, the solution reduces manual errors, shortens setup times, and ensures precise component placement.

The SaaS model enables Hanwha customers to avoid the costs and complexities of on-premises infrastructure. Automatic updates ensure access to the latest features, while the platform’s scalability supports both high-mix and high-volume manufacturing environments.

“At Hanwha, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that simplify and optimize the SMT programming process,” said Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. “By offering Aegis’ FactoryLogix Machine Programmer as a SaaS solution, we enable our customers to streamline machine programming, reduce complexity, and accelerate production—all while leveraging the power of cloud-based automation.”

The partnership allows manufacturers to not only improve efficiency but also establish a seamless expansion path to broader digital manufacturing strategies through Aegis’ FactoryLogix Manufacturing Operations platform.

We are excited to collaborate with Hanwha to provide a SaaS-enabled machine programming solution that eliminates complexity and accelerates production readiness,” said Jason Spera, CEO and Co-Founder of Aegis Software. “This partnership reflects the growing demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that provide manufacturers with greater flexibility, automation, and efficiency.”

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in advancing cloud automation within the SMT and electronics assembly sector, providing a robust platform for manufacturers to stay competitive in a dynamic industry.

MORRISVILLE, NC — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (INEMI) has announced results from its recent Board of Directors election. The consortium’s members have added one new director and re-elected four incumbents.

New to the INEMI Board is Tadashi Kosuga, Executive Director and Distinguished Engineer, Commercial Subsystem Development, Lenovo. Returning incumbents include Ravi M. Bhatkal, Managing Director and General Manager for MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions; Ranjan Chatterjee, Vice President, Smart Manufacturing Solutions, PDF/SOLUTIONS; Andy Mackie, Principal Engineer and Manager, Thermal Interface Materials Applications for Indium Corporation; and Chris Rumer, Vice President, Foundry Technology Development and Director, Chandler Assembly Technology Development, Intel Corporation. See bios and photos (https://thor.inemi.org/webdownload/2025/BoD_Candidates.pdf).

“In addition to overseeing business operations and general affairs, our Board members play a very important role in guiding INEMI, helping us focus on issues of importance to the industry, and making sure we maximize value to our member companies,” says INEMI CEO Shekhar Chandrashekhar. “We have a strong group of directors who represent the breadth of the electronics manufacturing supply chain, and they provide the knowledge and expertise to help make INEMI a success. Congratulations to our recently elected Directors. We look forward to working with you.”

About iNEMI

INEMI is an industry-led consortium that forecasts and accelerates innovation in the electronics manufacturing supply chain. Comprising leading manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities, INEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, and helps eliminate those gaps through timely, high-impact collaborations among our members. These collaborations support our members' businesses and help drive the industry by accelerating the deployment of new technologies, developing industry infrastructure, stimulating standards development, and disseminating efficient business practices. INEMI is based in Morrisville, North Carolina, USA. For additional information, visit http://www.inemi.org