Press Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA — FlashPCB, a leading provider of quick-turn PCB assembly, continues to expand its operations and capabilities as it progresses through its National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant. The company recently received its third disbursement of $250,000 after successfully completing its second interim report was accepted. This brings its total received funding to $1.02M between the Phase I and Phase II Awards.
FlashPCB specializes in high-speed PCB prototyping, offering designers and engineers a streamlined AI powered approach to turning concepts into functional circuit boards in record time. The company has positioned itself as a go-to solution for hardware startups, research institutions, and established technology firms looking for reliable and efficient PCB fabrication.
The NSF Phase II SBIR grant, awarded under NSF Grant No. 2335464, provides a total of $1 million in funding over two years. The funding is allocated in stages: an initial $250,000 at the time of the award, followed by three additional disbursements of $250,000 each, contingent on successful interim and final reports. With the successful completion of a Phase II grant, an additional $600,000 is available through Phase IIb and Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP) supplemental funding awards.
As FlashPCB continues its NSF-funded research and development efforts, the company has also been undergoing significant expansion to support its growing customer base. Recent investments in new capital equipment have enhanced the company’s in-house manufacturing capabilities, allowing for faster turnaround times, improved quality, and greater flexibility in prototype production.
To accommodate increasing demand, FlashPCB has expanded its production facility, integrating cutting-edge fabrication and inspection technology. These advancements position the company to scale its services while maintaining its industry-leading turnaround speeds.
“Receiving continued support from the NSF demonstrates the importance of applying AI to revolutionizing PCB prototyping,” said Thomas Castner, CEO at FlashPCB. “With our recent facility expansion and new capital equipment investments, we are better equipped than ever to accelerate product development cycles for our customers.”
For more information, visit www.flashpcb.com.
HOLLY SPRINGS, NC - Circuit Technology Inc. (CTI), a leading provider of equipment for the assembly, repair, and cleaning of printed circuit boards, proudly announces that Jack Doetzer, MBA, has been appointed as President, succeeding his father, Bob Doetzer, in leading the company into its next chapter of growth.
Founded in 1994 by Bob Doetzer, Circuit Technology Inc. has continually evolved by evaluating and offering the best PCB assembly equipment and training for its customers. CTI specializes in providing high-value solutions for circuit board assembly, repair, and cleaning, ensuring its clients receive the most effective and innovative technology available.
Jack Doetzer brings extensive experience in sales, business development, and strategic management, making him well-equipped to uphold the company's legacy while driving future advancements. His professional background includes leadership roles at Altus Group, South-Tek Systems, and Nordson Polymer Processing Systems, where he honed his expertise in customer relations, market expansion, and business strategy.
Jack holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from East Carolina University, where he also earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics. His educational and professional experience positions him uniquely to lead Circuit Technology Inc. in maintaining its reputation for quality PCB assembly equipment and training, while exploring new opportunities for growth.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue the legacy my father built,” said Jack Doetzer. “Circuit Technology Inc. has always been providing top-tier solutions to our customers for more than 30 years, and I look forward to leading the company into its next phase of success.”
Under Jack’s leadership, Circuit Technology Inc. will continue to focus on delivering high-quality circuit board assembly, repair, and training while expanding its capabilities to meet the current needs of the electronics manufacturing industry.
For more information about Circuit Technology Inc., visit www.circuittechnology.com .
After several years of successful collaboration for both parties, the Swedish telecom company Waystream has decided to appoint NOTE as the exclusive production partner of the company's products. The partnership between NOTE and Waystream started in 2020 when Waystream saw the benefits of adding production in Sweden alongside the production they already had in Asia. The collaboration between Waystream and NOTE's factory in Lund has developed well over the years and by becoming the exclusive production partner for Waystream, the partnership is now deepened further. NOTE Lund's previous volume share corresponded to approximately 60% and the transfer to full volumes is ongoing and is expected to be completed during the summer. Waystream had sales of SEK 115 million in 2024, which corresponds to a growth of 15%, and has a strong market position in its segment.
“By deepening the partnership with NOTE and appointing the factory in Lund as an exclusive production partner, we gain greater control over our logistics chain and strengthen delivery reliability. Sustainability are also of great importance to us as a company and being able to have all our production closer to our main end markets is important and we are also appealed by the focus and work that NOTE puts on sustainability”, says Fredrik Lundberg, CEO of Waystream Group.
“We continue to see great interest in NOTE’s services as a production partner and we are well positioned to meet the demand from customers who want to move their production from Asia to Europe. NOTE’s focus on quality and delivery precision, where we have an industry-leading position, together with our focus on sustainability, we see as a strength in the dialogues with our customers. We are proud and happy to further deepen the collaboration with Waystream.”, says Johannes Lind-Widestam, CEO of NOTE.
BOHEMIA NY - Q Source is thrilled to announce the expansion of its collaboration with PACE Worldwide, a global leader in soldering, desoldering, and rework technology. This strategic initiative will enable Q Source to offer an extensive range of high-performance soldering stations, rework systems, and newly bundled solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
PACE Worldwide is renowned for its innovative solutions in the assembly and repair of highly advanced electronics. Their comprehensive product line includes everything from single soldering stations to complex soldering solutions, all available at competitive prices. By partnering with PACE Worldwide, Q Source aims to provide its customers with access to top-tier technology and unparalleled expertise in the field.
The PACE ADS200 AccuDrive® Soldering Station (8007-0579-P009) delivers unparalleled performance, featuring AccuDrive® technology for precise thermal control without calibration requirements. With rapid heat-up and recovery, it ensures superior soldering performance for production environments.
For those requiring additional power, the PACE ADS200 with Ultra-Performance Tip-Heater Cartridges (8007-0597-P009) offers a robust solution with higher thermal capacity, making it ideal for challenging soldering applications.
The PACE MBT360 Multi-Channel Rework System (8007-0576-P009) is an all-in-one solution for soldering, desoldering, and SMT rework. Equipped with multiple handpieces and precise temperature control, the MBT360 is built to handle intricate electronics assembly and repair tasks with ease.
To further enhance efficiency, Q Source is offering exclusive PACE bundled kits, providing users with comprehensive solutions in a single package:
- PACE AccuDrive® ST125 Bundle (8888-0310-P1-P009) – A high-performance soldering system featuring AccuDrive® technology for fast and accurate heat delivery.
- PACE ADS200 Bundle with Instant-SetBack Cubby (8889-0305-P1-P009) – A cost-effective, ergonomic solution designed for precision soldering with added convenience.
- PACE ADS200 Bundle with Adjustable Soldering Iron Stand (8889-0355-P1-P009) – A versatile package combining top-tier soldering performance with improved workspace organization.
By strengthening our partnership with PACE Worldwide, Q Source continues to bring innovative, high-quality soldering and rework technology to our customers. For more information or to explore the full range of PACE Worldwide products, visit www.qsource.com.
About Q Source
Q Source specializes in crafting custom solutions for the Bio-Medical, Electronic, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industries. For over 40 years the team at Q Source has prided itself on superior customer satisfaction by delivering the right products that match the specs for any high-end solutions. Best Value Better Service at Q Source. To learn more, visit www.qsource.com.
TAIPEI - Hon Hai Technology Group has completed independent, third-party audits of nine manufacturing campuses covering five countries, demonstrating, for a second year, a commitment to critical compliance and transparency in social and environmental responsibility by the world's largest electronics manufacturing service provider.
No priority findings were assessed for the most part in the audits conducted under the Responsible Business Alliance Validated Assessment Program (RBA VAP), an industry standard that recognizes a factory's commitment to social and environmental responsibility and focuses on verified closure of issues identified in a VAP assessment.
The audits covered Foxconn manufacturing sites in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and Mexico, showing an overall compliance rate of 89%. The Quang Chau campus in Vietnam's Bac Giang province was recognized at a Silver level under RBA VAP, outperforming the average score in the local industry.
According to RBA, customers, investors, governments and other stakeholders consider the verified closure of audit findings critical to demonstrating compliance to their requirements. To enhance sustainability in Foxconn's operations and serve as a global best-practice model, the audits in 2024 also focused on campuses needing to strengthen third-party checks based on comprehensive assessment of their operational complexity, employee size, and past record in third-party audits. Audit areas covered labor rights, occupational health and safety, environment, ethics, supply chain management and interviews with 1,067 employees. Total scope included 210,000 employees and took the equivalent of 96 man-days.
No priority findings were assessed, with the exception of one priority non-compliance in supply chain management due to overtime hours of an outsourced service provider, which has been addressed. The compliance rates for environment and ethics each reached over 97%, while those for labor, health and safety, and supply chain management each reached over 80%. Findings indicated a need to strengthen the management of the ratio of dispatched workers, overtime hours, calculation for social insurance and on-time severance payment, as well as attention to the on-site working environment in India.
By end 2024, RBA VAP audits have been done at 58 sites with 8 recognized at Platinum level, 17 at Gold, and 20 at Silver. The first audits in 2023 covered eight sites in China and India.
About Foxconn here.
JASPER, IN - Kimball Electronics, Inc. today announced the release of its 2024 Guiding Principles Report, which includes the company’s annual sustainability disclosures. Themed “Strategically Focused,” the Report outlines progress on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and reflects the company’s continued focus on the issues that matter most—where it can make a meaningful and lasting difference for people and the environment, while supporting long-term business success.
About the Report
Now in its sixth edition, the Report reflects how Kimball Electronics integrates sustainability into every area of its business, guided by its Guiding Principles: Customers, People, Citizenship, and Profits. For the 2024 reporting period, the company applied the principle of double materiality in alignment with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)—which require the disclosure of measurable targets for all identified material ESG matters.
“At the heart of our strategy is a principle we live by: ‘Control What We Can Control.’ This mindset sharpens our ESG focus and reinforces the values embedded in our Guiding Principles,” said Richard Phillips, CEO. “I’m proud of how we continue to align our sustainability efforts with the needs of our stakeholders and the future of our business.”
Key Highlights
- Climate Action: 42% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2019; 2030 science-based targets set for Scopes 1, 2, and 3, with a commitment to net zero by 2050.
- Renewable Energy: Target for all locations to operate using 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Zero Waste: 2030 goal to divert over 90% of waste from landfill and reduce hazardous waste intensity by 25%.
- Equal Treatment & Opportunities for All: 2030 goal to ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all employees, supported by inclusive hiring, equitable pay, global training access, flexible work options, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
- Governance & Accountability: Executive compensation tied to achievement of sustainability goals and maintaining strong ESG ratings.
- Community Investment: Commitment to donate 1% of fiscal year adjusted net income annually.
- Ongoing Progress: Continued efforts to strengthen responsible sourcing practices, enhance water stewardship, and maintain an excellent safety record through a global focus on prevention and continuous improvement.
Availability
The 2024 Guiding Principles Report, which serves as Kimball Electronics’ annual sustainability report, is available on the Kimball Electronics Sustainability webpage. The Report has been externally assured to validate the accuracy and integrity of the disclosed performance and targets.
Press Releases
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- APE, Automated Production Equipment, Marks 56-year Milestone
- Kitron Signs Multi-Year Agreement for Advanced Sensor Manufacturing in Europe; Kristoffer Asklöv Comments
- Scanfil Boosts Investment in Electronics Manufacturing in the US; Christophe Sut Comments