Press Releases
BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY - APRIL 9, 2026 - Kitron has received a 42 million Euro order from a customer in the defence/aerospace sector.
The order covers the production and supply of systems, forming part of a layered defence architecture. Deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2026, with production at Kitron’s European manufacturing facilities.
“This contract underlines Kitron’s position as a trusted partner within the Defence/Aerospace sector and reflects the long-term collaboration we maintain with our customers,” says Peter Nilsson, President and CEO of Kitron.
The contract adds to Kitron’s growing order backlog in the Defence/Aerospace market sector and is consistent with the company’s long-term ambition to grow revenues toward EUR 1.5 billion, as communicated at its Capital Markets Presentation in December 2025.
PEACHTREE CITY, GA – APRIL 9, 2026 – PCEA in conjunction with the SMTA Capital Chapter will starting in April present a two-part two-hour webinar on sourcing strategies for PCB designers and design engineers. The webinar, “Design for Sourcing,” will be presented by supply chain expert Ed Dodd, vice president of government and defense for Cofactr.
This webinar takes place in two one-hour sessions starting at 1 p.m. EDT on April 21 and May 5.
In these sessions, Dodd will share knowledge and tools necessary to proactively design out supply-chain risks during component selection. Attendees will learn about the current landscape of supply chain vulnerabilities, the principles of design for sourcing, and practical strategies to ensure continuity and reliability in their electronic designs.
Dodd has spent decades creating supply chain optimization strategies in the defense, aerospace and automotive segments. Prior to joining Cofactr, he served as director of US Army Programs at Ansys, where he advocated for physics-based digital thread and automated analysis from part to mission. At DfR Solutions, he consulted across automotive and aerospace industries on various electronics reliability challenges.
Attendees will gain the information they need to make informed decisions that safeguard their projects against disruptions and contribute to a more robust supply chain ecosystem.
For more information or to register,click here.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 8, 2026 – Sales confidence dominated every sector of the Electronic Components Industry in March, driving the overall sales sentiment index average up to 149.2, the highest level in five years, dating back to April 2021.
“All three component categories saw solid improvement, led by Electro-Mechanical with a jump of 20.2 points,” explained ECIA Chief Analyst Dale Ford. “The end-market index score mirrored the component categories as it rose by 16.1 points to 161.8. This exuberance is tempered by a softening in sales sentiment looking forward to April as the overall index is projected to retreat back to 143.7. The bottom line is that the sales environment for electronic components is the best it has been in five years!” he concluded.
For the complete summary report, click here.
Atlanta – ECIA is pleased to announce that Monika Lamud is joining the Association. Monika is a systems and operations professional with a background in membership-based organizations, nonprofits, and enterprise environments.
“We welcome Monika to the team to manage our technology systems and be the main point of contact for members and staff with questions about the website, member portal and access to our learning management system for PACE courses. ECIA members are at the leading edge of technology and much of our membership value in research and training is delivered through our online platform,” commented Donna Valore, ECIA Director of Administration. “Monika’s background is in systems management, documentation, and cross-functional coordination, supporting teams through both day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives. She will be a valuable addition to our team going forward.”
Monika graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and lives in Florida. She most recently worked as Association Software Systems Analyst with the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA).
Yamaha Robotics has supplied its 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION for surface-mount assembly to Astemo UK, Ltd. The company, based in Bolton, is the UK manufacturing centre for Astemo, a Tokyo-headquartered global mobility solutions provider in the automotive industry, developing advanced and sustainable technologies. The latest investment at the Bolton site, in the north of England, enhances the company’s facilities for delivering advanced systems.
The new Yamaha Robotics state-of-the-art line will support production of electronic assemblies, enabling the company to work sustainably and set the pace in their field.
The Yamaha SMT Line-up
The 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION comprises Yamaha’s advanced printing, dispensing, mounting, and inspection machines, with smart-factory software tools and accessories. Bringing together everything needed to operate one or multiple surface-mount lines, the solution also ensures efficient access to maintenance and support from a single supplier. The machines are designed to be easily set up and integrated inline to help users get started quickly and maintain productive workflows in day-to-day operation.
Integration and Interaction
All Yamaha machines in the 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION share the same software platform, which delivers advantages such as a consistent user interface, meaning operator training and ramp-up can be accomplished very quickly. The machines also exchange data efficiently with productivity applications such as the on-board quality assurance tool and the mobile judgment app that help operators quickly diagnose and fix the causes of assembly defects to minimize their impact on production.
Connecting directly with Yamaha YSUP intelligent factory tools facilitates programming, monitoring, materials management, and traceability. Auto program generation tools quickly produce printing, mounting, and inspection programs that help accelerate new product introductions.
The 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION includes equipment for printing, dispensing, mounting, solder-paste inspection, and 3D AOI.
Pierre Williams, Area Sales Manager SMT Section at Yamaha Robotics Europe, comments, “Astemo is at the cutting edge of sustainable production. I am delighted that the team has chosen to work with Yamaha Robotics.”
NASHVILLE, TN – April 2026 – Magnalytix, providing real-time reliability solutions for electronics manufacturing, has chosen Metal Etch Services, Inc. as its stencil partner for OE in a Box kits. The two companies have worked together for years, and Metal Etch’s quality and reliability made them the clear choice for this project.
“Great products start with great partners,” said Bobby Glidwell, Director of Technology, Magnalytix. “We’ve trusted Metal Etch Services for years for their stencils, so using them for OE in a Box kits was an easy decision. They consistently deliver high-quality, precise products and have been a dependable partner every step of the way.”
OE in a Box is designed to make Objective Evidence testing simple. Each kit includes 10 B-52 Legacy 2 Test Cards, B-52 Legacy 2 Components on tape and reel, stencils from Metal Etch Services, ESD bags, and other essentials to generate an IPC J-STD-001 Objective Evidence report. Kits are shipped directly to manufacturers with a return label so boards can be sent back to Magnalytix for testing and fast delivery of validation reports.
Metal Etch Services produces high-quality stencils using carefully sourced materials, optimized aperture designs, and advanced laser-cutting technology. Their stencils provide the accuracy and consistency that OE in a Box kits require, while still meeting tight deadlines.
“Working with Metal Etch Services gives us confidence that every kit includes stencils that perform exactly as expected,” said Magnalytix President Mike Bixenman, DBA. “Their expertise makes it easier for our customers to run tests, get results, and keep their processes moving smoothly.”
By combining Magnalytix’s OE in a Box kits with Metal Etch Services’ stencils, the partnership provides manufacturers with a complete, reliable solution for electronics reliability testing.
For more information about OE in a Box and Magnalytix services, visit www.magnalytix.com. For more on Metal Etch Services’ stencil solutions, visit www.metaletchservices.com.
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