SHENZHEN, CHINA – The HKPCA Show, the 2008 International Printed Circuit & Electronics Assembly Fair, opened to moderate traffic, easing some exhibitors concerns that the economic crisis would put a serious damper on attendance. Presented by the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association and IPC – Association for Connecting Electronics Industries, the theme this year is “Thrive on Evolution.” The show, in its 7th year, primarily features material and equipment suppliers dedicated to the PCB fabrication industry, as well as some of the top PCB fabricators in South China.
CONCORD, CAand SOUTH
PLAINFIELD, NJ – R&D Circuitshas
invested in a PCB-800 plasma system, produced by March Plasma Systemsof Concord, for its
production facility in South Plainfield. R&D feels the purchase will
improve its on-site manufacturing capabilities for advanced printed wiring
boards (PWBs).
“We selected the PCB-800 because it meets our demanding PWB
production requirements. It can process advanced PWB materials, as well as very
high aspect ratio through holes and blind vias,” explained Dan Turpuseema,
director of engineering.
MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS – The European Institute of
Printed Circuits (EIPC) has appointed Ivan
Ho as director of Asian Pacific activities. He will act as a liaison between European
and Asian printed circuit board (PCB) fabricators, ensuring long-term
reliability within the supply chain.
Prior to his appointment, Ho worked for several companies,
including Ciba-Geigy, Photocircuits and Shipley. He is also the founder of TopNotch Partners consulting company.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and CAMBRIDGE, UK – Plastic Logic has named Martin Jackson as its vice president of technology. He will oversee the company’s Cambridge R&D center and will serve as a key strategist for the company’s plastic electronics display technology. He will also take part in the evolution of eReader, working with the product-engineering group in Mountain View and the manufacturing team in Dresden, Germany.
Jackson brings over 20 years of experience in leading corporate and technical strategies in consumer electronics, semiconductor and communications industries. He has co-founded four startups and has served as the CTO for Artimi Ltd., GlobespanVirata and Frontier Silicon. “Martin brings unsurpassed industry and technical expertise and a track record that will strengthen our leadership position in plastic electronics,” explains Richard Archuleta, CEO.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN and YANGZHOU, CHINA – As part of its plan to expand into China, UniflexTechnology Inc. is set to acquire Boardtek Electronics Corporation’s plant in Yangzhou for a reported NT$180 million (US$5.38 million). The plant supplies flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) to subsidiaries of its parent company YFY Group. In addition, market sources say Boardtek will take a 10% stake, nearly NT$130 million (US$3.89 million), in Uniflex through private placement. The deal is expected to close by early 2009.
FOREST GROVE, OR – Mania Technologie Outsourcing Services (MTOS) has been chosen to supply high technology flying probe test solutions to several printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers and electrical test service providers. The companies include: Westak Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA; Advanced Circuitry Inc. of Duluth, GA; Quickturn Services Inc. of Anaheim, CA; Multicircuits Inc. of Oshkosh, WI; and Circuit Technology Services Inc. of San Jose, CA.
