Circuits Assembly - March 2008 - (Page 14)

NEWS People Cookson Electronics named Paul Lotosky global director – customer technical support. He has 30 years’ experience, and is chairman of the IPC Solder Products Value Council technical committee. PLM software provider Arena Solutions named Craig Livingston chief executive, succeeding Michael Topolovac, company cofounder, who remains on the company’s board. Livingston was VP and GM of Agile’s SME Solutions division. Plexus named Pete Whitley vice president, customer management, responsible for its industrial/commercial market sector. He spent 12 years at Jabil Circuit, most recently as business unit director. Asymtek promoted Michel van de Vijver to general manager, Europe. He joined Asymtek in 2000 as European sales and marketing manager. The Morey Corp. named Matt W. Williams (pictured) business development manager, commercial telematics, and Curt Williams (no relation) strategic business development manager. Nam Tai Electronics named Masaaki Yasukawa chief executive, superseding acting CEO M.K. Koo, who remains nonexecutive director and board chairman. Yasukawa worked for Seiko Epson for more than 20 years. Surface Mount Tech (Holdings) named Steve Cheung Hin Wing deputy chief marketing officer. He was previously vice president of sales and marketing at Artesyn Technologies. Industry Unicorn Acquires Victron for $70M MANAMA, BAHRAIN – An investment group on this Indian Ocean island nation has purchased a majority stake in EMS provider Victron (victron.com). Unicorn Investment Bank invested $70 million to acquire an 80% equity stake in the Fremont, CA-based EMS company. Its management team is expected to stay on. “Victron combines strong execution capabilities with highly flexible operations, resulting in a unique and highly competitive business model,” said Unicorn global private equity managing director Aamir Khan, in a statement. Victron has a 130,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in Fremont. “Our partnership with Unicorn will allow us to further leverage our core competencies to serve the growing number of companies with high-mix electronics needs,” said Victron president Chris Lee. “We are excited at the opportunity of working with Unicorn’s team to explore international expansion opportunities.” – Mike Buetow Zestron to Continue Expansions in 2008 MANASSAS, VA – Zestron (zestron.com) is continuing its expansion in anticipation of sustained demand for cleaning materials. The America branch’s move to a new Virginia headquarters last year helped “prepare [the] global organization for 2008 to best respond to the anticipated double-digit increase in the demand for high precision cleaning products and services,” said Dr. Harald Wack, VP and CEO, in a statement. In Shanghai, Zestron has also completed a move to a larger facility, including an enhanced applications technology center. In Europe, Zestron is investing $5 million in a state-of-the-art facility outside Munich, scheduled for opening this year. – Chelsey Drysdale Zebra to Transfer Printer Ops to Jabil, Cut 650 Jobs VERNON HILLS, IL – Zebra Technologies (zebra.com) will consolidate its supplier base and transfer thermal printer assembly to Jabil Circuit (jabil.com). The companies did not disclose the value of the deal. In addition, Zebra will establish regional distribution and configuration centers, and cut 650 production-related positions. The transfer of printer assembly operations from Zebra’s plants in California and Illinois to Jabil’s facility in Huangpu, China, will occur within the next 18 to 24 months. Zebra will continue to maintain operations in California and Illinois. Zebra will take estimated charges of $24 million to $26 million for severance, professional services and other associated non-recurring costs. Of these charges, the company expects to incur approximately $18 million in 2008, with the remaining amount occurring in 2009. – Chelsey Drysdale Upgrades in Place, Wolf to Consolidate Plants OREM, UT – EMS provider Wolf Electronix (wolfelectronix.com) last month consolidated operations into its plant here, and shuttered its five-year-old Loveland, CO, facility. All full-time Colorado employees were offered positions in Utah, the company said. The company reports investments of nearly $2 million in equipment, and upgrades to the Orem plant have increased capacity more than 30%. – Mike Buetow 14 Circuits Assembly MARCH 2008 circuitsassembly.com http://victron.com http://zestron.com http://zebra.com http://jabil.com http://www.wolfelectronix.com http://circuitsassembly.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Circuits Assembly - March 2008

Circuits Assembly - March 2008 Caveat Lector Letters Industry News Market Watch Talking Heads Focus on Business On the Forefront Screen Printing What Drives the Crowd? Mastering ESD Control in Automated Handling Systems Beating the RoHS Heat Trade Secrets True to Its Roots The Road Abroad - Strategic Alliance or Greenfield Facility? Tech Tips Wave Soldering Test and Inspection Process Doctor Pb-Free Lessons Learned Getting Lean Materials World Equipment Advances Apex Product Preview Ad Index Assembly Insider Technical Abstracts

Circuits Assembly - March 2008

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