ISU Petasys to Build Korean PCB Plant

DAEGU, KOREA – ISU Petasys will invest KRW300 billion ($223.3 million) here to build a PCB manufacturing plant.

Under an investment agreement signed by the city and company, ISI Petasys will invest the funding in 21,344 sq. m. of land in Dalseong First Industrial Complex to build a new plant to manufacture multilayer circuit boards. The company said the investment is in response to an increase in product demand from global big tech companies due to the rapid growth of the AI accelerator and data center market.

When the plant is completed, ISU Petasys expects its annual revenue will jump to KRW1.5 trillion ($1.12 billion) by 2030 from KRW579 billion ($431 million) last year.

“The number of orders has continued to increase, focusing on next-generation products such as AI accelerators and 800GB switches, which have recently emerged as a key topic in data centers,” said Choi Chang-bok, CEO. “We expect sales to increase significantly from next year.”

Celus Launches Assisted Design Platform

AUSTIN, TX – Celus in August announced the worldwide availability of its assisted hardware design platform that allows engineers to find components for their projects through smart algorithms and the use of machine learning and AI.

The Celus Design Platform simplifies and accelerates the electronics design process by transforming technical requirements into schematic prototypes in less than an hour, accelerating the electronics design process.

Component suppliers that have their products tied to the Celus Design Platform can connect with engineers and designers for faster market integration and broader reach, the company said in a release. This connection can aid component suppliers in reaching customers who may not be accessible through traditional channels, and Celus enhances the visibility of these components when they are identified as the preferred choice in various design projects.

To minimize the time it takes to identify disparate components, the Celus Design Platform is said to streamline the design process and provide real-time component recommendations.

Celus said it balances a project’s functional requirements with electrical, environmental, mechanical or cost constraints to aid component selection while providing outputs including architectural design, ECAD native schematics, bill of materials and footprints.

“With more than 600 million components available to electronics designers, the task of identifying and selecting the ones right for any given project is at best a challenge,” said Tobias Pohl, cofounder and CEO, Celus. “We developed the platform to handle the heavy lifting and intricate details of product design to drive innovation and expand demand creation in a fraction of the time required of traditional approaches. [We] are now expanding its reach to end-users and component suppliers around the world.”

SnapChip Releases ChatGPT-Based Component Sourcing Tool

VANCOUVER, WA – SnapChip in September released SnapChipGPT, which it calls the first-ever customized GPT for searching electronic components.

SnapChipGPT is built on OpenAI’s advanced GPT-4 architecture and allows users to access real-time electronic component data to search, compare and source components directly through the ChatGPT interface.

The tool introduces real-time pricing and stock information straight into ChatGPT, allowing users to search for components by part number or description, ask questions related to pricing, stock availability, and technical specifications and interact with datasheets – all within a seamless chat environment. By integrating these features, engineers, procurement specialists and electronics manufacturers can make faster and more informed decisions with remarkable ease and efficiency.

“SnapChipGPT is a major step forward in providing real-time sourcing data at the user’s fingertips,” said Everett Frank, CEO, SnapChip. “This new ChatGPT tool combines the power of AI with critical data access, removing time-consuming barriers and improving overall workflow. We are thrilled to provide users with such a dynamic tool, especially as we prepare to introduce further innovations like BoM uploads and alternate part cross-referencing.”

Icape Acquires NTW, Major Japanese PCB Distributor

HOVVAHGEN, SWEDEN – Icape Group signed a deal to acquire NTW, a Japanese distributor of PCBs in Asia. NTW serves large local industrial customers through its seven subsidiaries in Asia and expects revenue of over $20 million in 2024.

Icape will finance the acquisition in cash, and it will be consolidated starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Founded in 2002, the NTW Group has a business model similar to that of Icape. Its subsidiaries are close to global PCB production centers in Japan, China and Southeast Asia. Its 40 employees serve a customer base of major Japanese accounts positioned in diverse industries, ranging from office automation to communication and infrastructure tools.

Icape said in a press release that the deal brings it a player with “proven and recognized expertise in the market” and “significant potential” for synergies in purchasing and marketing.

“The acquisition of the Japanese group NTW is significant in several ways,” said Yann Duigou, CEO, Icape Group. “It ensures us a leading position in the distribution of printed circuit boards in Japan, a mature market and difficult to access for western companies due to cultural specificities. The group’s management will support us in this integration to enable us to deploy all the necessary synergies between our two organizations. This operation also gives us access to major Japanese groups that we did not address so far, while allowing us to integrate new suppliers, located in China and Southeast Asia. The completion of this operation, combined with our recent acquisitions, will enable us to achieve €45 million of additional revenue since 2023, which gives us confidence that we will achieve our external growth target by the end of 2026.”

SIA Releases 2024 State of the Industry Report

WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association released its annual State of the Industry Report, highlighting opportunities for continued growth and innovation across the semiconductor industry, and noting current and upcoming challenges to the industry’s sustained success.

Last year, global industry sales reached $527 billion, and nearly 1 trillion semiconductors were sold globally, which is more than 100 chips for every person on Earth. With a cyclical market downturn now over and demand for semiconductors high, estimates from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics project sales to increase to over $600 billion in 2024.

The report finds that rising demand has prompted new industry investments to increase chip production. Thanks in part to the Chips and Science Act, the United States is forecast to more than triple its semiconductor fabrication capacity and secure a larger share of new private investment in semiconductor manufacturing.

Companies in the semiconductor ecosystem have announced more than 90 new manufacturing projects in the US since the Chips Act was first introduced in Congress, totaling nearly $450 billion in announced investments across 28 states. These investments are projected to create tens of thousands of direct jobs and support hundreds of thousands of additional jobs throughout the US economy. The industry is investing in countries worldwide, creating a more robust and resilient supply chain.

Reinforcing and expanding chip supply chains on US shores offers tremendous opportunities, but it also presents significant challenges. For example, as US chip operations expand in the years ahead, so will the demand for skilled talent. Other policy challenges also remain, including continued implementation of the Chips and Science Act, reinforcing US leadership in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing, and maintaining open access to overseas markets where companies can sell the chips manufactured here at home.

Other governments have also taken a particular interest in advancing supply chain resilience when it comes to the production of chips and upstream materials capacity, with a goal to reduce strategic dependencies. The industry is committed to ensuring resilient global semiconductor supply chains, further promoting access to global markets, and facilitating increased global trade through deeper international collaboration.

Overall, the report’s findings show the semiconductor industry is well-positioned for long-term growth. As innovation continues to increase globally, so will the need for semiconductors to serve as the foundation of that progress.

Download the full report here.

Elna Opens Malaysian PCB Manufacturing Plant

BUTTERWORTH, MALAYSIA – Taiwanese PCB manufacturer Elna PCB opened a 10,000 sq. m. manufacturing plant here in the Perai Industrial Zone.

Located adjacent to Elna’s existing plant, the MYR1 billion ($230 million) expansion will have an annual capacity of more than 300,000 sq. ft. of PCBs, and will cater to the automotive, server, network equipment, personal computing and consumer electronics sectors, said Ian Yang, president, Elna PCB.

“As global demand for high-quality and advanced PCBs continue to grow, we are poised to expand our production capacity to one million square feet in the near future,” he said at the plant’s opening ceremony. “The existing facility will maintain its production for the automotive customers, while this new plant enhances our capabilities, enabling us to meet our customers’ needs with greater geographical manufacturing diversity and supply chain flexibility.”

Benchmark Opens 4^th Malaysian Facility

PENANG – Benchmark Electronics opened a production facility here, which will focus on serving customers in the semiconductor capital equipment and commercial aerospace sectors.

The new facility is Benchmark’s fourth factory in the region and features 8,000 sq. m. of space with room to expand. The new addition gives the company 40,000 total sq. m. of production space in Penang.

“Benchmark Penang is critical to our expanding operations in Asia, and we are enthusiastic about growing our manufacturing capabilities in Malaysia by adding our fourth facility in the country,” said Jeff Benck, president and CEO of Benchmark. “This facility will enhance our capacity and expertise, enabling us to better serve our current customers and meet the growing interest from new customers aiming to regionalize their production across the APAC region. The new investment will also deepen our well-established roots in the Penang community.”

The company said the expansion supports the anticipated growth of the semiconductor industry in 2025 and beyond while enhancing its vertical integration capabilities. The expansion will allow Benchmark to improve operational efficiencies, uphold quality standards and accelerate time-to-market for customer products, while offering advanced capabilities such as e-beam welding, large form factor five-axis machining, type-2 cleaning and establishing one of the largest welding and frame manufacturing centers in the region, it said.

“We were thrilled to host the grand opening of our new Penang facility, welcoming key dignitaries, customers, partners, suppliers, and the local community,” said Dr. Bala Murugan, group vice president, Benchmark. “This event marks a significant milestone, highlighting our advanced capabilities and our commitment to generating more business and employment opportunities in the area. I am immensely proud of our Malaysian team’s dedication and hard work in making this facility a reality.”

Cofidur Acquires French EMS Seico

LAVAL, FRANCE – French electronics contractor Cofidur has announced the acquisition of fellow French EMS Seico.

Seico had sales of €15.7 million in 2023, and the aggregate revenue of the firms will reach €100 million. The addition Seico’s workforce of 100 will bring the combined company’s staffing to more than 500, Cofidur said in a release.

“For two years, we had been looking for and listening to opportunities,” said Laurent Dupoiron, chairman, Cofidur. “With Seico, we are already exceeding our targets, with sales expected to reach €100 million by the end of 2024. We already achieved 30% growth last year. And we think that by integrating Seico into Cofidur, one plus one should make two and a half.”

Cofidur said the combination is complementary and adds new agility, thanks to Seico’s capacity to quickly handle prototype and low-volume run development, while Cofidur is more accustomed to working with large clients and on complex processes.

“There are definite advantages to being a highly certified company like Cofidur and working with major clients. The downside is that we are less flexible for certain markets,” said Dupoiron.

Cofidur will now have three facilities in France: its existing sites in Laval and Périgueux, and the Seico plant in Malville.

Jabil to Build New Manufacturing Plant in India, Expand Silicon Photonics Capabilities

TRICHY, INDIA – Jabil is set to build a new manufacturing plant here, with a INR2,000 crore ($238 million) investment to set the foundation of a new electronics manufacturing cluster.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin announced the new facility in a post on social media, adding that the factory is expected to create 5,000 jobs for the area.

With the expansion of Jabil into the state, Tamil Nadu will now house facilities from all major Apple suppliers, including Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata Electronics.

Stalin also announced a INR666 crore ($79 million) investment by Rockwell Automation to build another manufacturing facility, as well as an agreement with software firm Autodesk to upskill the area’s youth and empower micro, medium and small enterprises and startups to reinforce the broader industrial ecosystem.

The company also announced the expansion of its advanced photonics packaging new product introduction capabilities at its site in Ottawa, Canada, as part of a continued investment in silicon photonics-based products and capabilities to support the increasing demands of hyperscalers and next-wave cloud and AI data center growth.

The NPI line, which is expected to begin operation in the fourth quarter, will feature capabilities designed to assist photonics customers quickly scale from proof of concept to mass production, such as fluxless flip-chip, fiber attachment, die and wire bonding, the company said. The advancements will support silicon photonics chip packaging, particularly in high-speed connectivity applications such as co-packaged optics (CPO) and high-speed onboard connections.

“The expansion of our Ottawa site is a game-changer for Jabil,” said Matt Crowley, EVP, global business units, Jabil. “This facility will enable us to meet the growing demands for advanced photonics solutions tailored to AI and next-generation data centers. Through our NPI capabilities, we can assist customers in their own product development journeys, significantly reducing the need for costly trial and error in developing their own solutions from scratch.”

Elite Electronic Systems Acquires CB Technology

ENNISKILLEN, UK – Ireland-based Elite Electronic Systems announced the acquisition of CB Technology, a contract manufacturer headquartered in Livingston, UK.

With the acquisition of CB Technology, which specializes in electronics designed to work in harsh environments, Elite Electronic Systems said it hopes to strengthen its position by integrating CB’s 25 years of industry expertise.

“This acquisition is a pivotal step for Elite as we continue to grow and innovate in the EMS industry,” said Jonathan Balfour, CEO, Elite Electronic Systems. “The addition of CB Technology’s specialized expertise and strong market presence will allow us to deliver even greater value to our customers. We are excited to welcome the CB team to the Elite family and look forward to achieving new heights together.”

With the companies each having an annual revenue of around £50 million ($65 million), the deal also creates one of the UK’s largest electronics manufacturing firms.

Circuitwise Acquires NZ’s Nautech Electronics

SYDNEY – Australian PCB manufacturer Circuitwise Electronics Manufacturing has acquired New Zealand-based electronics design and manufacturing specialist Nautech Electronics.

The acquisition of Nautech extends Circuitwise’s offerings with the addition of advanced testing facilities and a team of production engineers and electronics designers, Circuitwise said in a release, and its own offerings also complement Nautech’s, with an in-house enterprise manufacturing system that is supported by custom hardware solutions.

The company said geographical presence was a key consideration in the deal, with local manufacturing becoming increasingly important for companies in both nations looking for better delivery speed and reliability, enhanced communication and responsiveness, collaboration and support for testing and design for manufacture, reduced vulnerability to geopolitical disputes and tariff fluctuations, and stronger intellectual property protection.

Circuitwise CEO Serena Ross said Nautech’s focus on quality was a key consideration behind the acquisition.

“Quality is their number one priority, and we wanted to partner with another company with leadership and people who have the same culture as us,” she said. “Nautech has a strong position in the aerospace industry, which supports our strategy of servicing mission-critical sectors with a high requirement for quality assurance. Nautech also has several new capabilities to help us deliver an even better service to our customers across Australia and New Zealand.”

“Our company wanted to continue its rapid growth and had been looking for a partner with complementary capabilities to help drive that growth,” said Nautech CEO Laurie Kubiak. “Circuitwise was a perfect match as it has strengths in different sectors and technical capabilities. Combining the two offers a very powerful service for product manufacturers across both countries.”

Alliance Electronics Acquires EMS Factory

ROSHEIM, FRANCE – French electronics manufacturer Alliance Electronics has acquired EMS Factory, a specialist in prototyping and low- to medium-volume assembly. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Adding EMS Factory gives Alliance Electronics another prototyping plant, alongside Proto-Electronics, which “marks a significant turning point in this sector, where Alliance intends to establish itself as the undisputed leader,” the company said in a release.

“This alliance fits perfectly with our strategy of offering a wide range of services covering engineering, prototyping, industrialization and the production of small and medium series,” said Armel Fourreau, CEO, Alliance Electronics. “This merger will allow us to soon reach 20 million euros in turnover on our prototyping activities.”

Damien Michaud, cofounder of EMS Factory, will remain head of the company.

“I am attracted by the industrial project of Alliance Electronics, the means of growth that will be made available, and the possibility of offering EMS Factory customers capacities for larger series,” he said.

Created in 2022 from Altrics, Proto-Electronics and Atems, Alliance Electronics has since integrated ACE Electronics and JTC Micro-Electronics in Belgium, and Elekto, TME and Edgeflex in France.

Note to Expand Sweden Operations

LUND, SWEDEN – Note will build a new factory here to meet a projected increase in demand in coming years.

The company said the new plant will have more than 9,000 sq. m. of production space, and the forecasted expansion in business over the coming years should more than compensate for the increased operating costs for the new facility. Note plans for the new facility to be ready for operation in 2026.

“Going forward, Note sees continued increasing demand from its customers,” said Note president and CEO Johannes Lind-Widestam. “Despite a weaker economy in 2024, we see that the forecasts from our customers are strong and to meet that demand we need to expand the factory in Lund.”

Foxtronics EMS Acquires Accutron

JACKSONVILLE, IL – Foxtronics EMS added additional expertise in life science and aerospace and defense capabilities with the acquisition of Accutron.

Through the acquisition by private investment firm Foxhole Group, Foxtronics will now be able to offer services through the full product lifecycle, from design engineering proof of concept, quickturn and prototyping through sustained volume production, the company said in a release.

The company said Accutron’s location in Windsor, CT, is also near Foxtronics’ other companies, permitting convenient collaboration between R&D and engineering departments with customers in New England.

Foxtronics said the combination will permit it to offer myriad value-add capabilities, including in-house design, injection molding, full box-build and CNC machining with experience to assemble a broad range of technologies: rigid, flex, rigid-flex, Rogers, Aramats, metal core, polyimide and hybrids. Accutron has also earned 10 certifications, including ISO 13485, ISO 9001, ITAR, AS9100, and UL among others.

“We are excited to partner with the Faldu family and the Accutron team to bring unique capabilities to our customers,” said Bill DeProfio, VP of East operations, Foxtronics. “We are significantly advantaged to bring new product innovation skills to the customers where Accutron has been meeting production needs.”

“This is an incredible opportunity and we’re going to rise to the occasion,” said Vijay Faldu of Accutron. “We already have the best human capital in the business at Accutron and we’re excited about what the new capital will mean in terms of technology and facility improvements. We’re primed to bring additional value to our customers that have been integral to our success these past 35 years.”

“Since partnering with Foxhole, CCK Automations founder JJ Richardson and the teams at OSDA and Argo nearly two years ago, we have been in controlled, hyper-growth mode, seeking ways to add more value for our customers by investing heavily in advanced technology, new capabilities and customer relationships,” said Foxtronics CEO Mark Stephenson.

Concentric Announces Acquisition of EMS Firm GO Engineering

BUHL, GERMANY – Concentric AB has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of electronics design and manufacturer GO Engineering and its subsidiary ÖkoGW Verwaltungs in a deal valued at EUR23.5 million.

The deal is set to close on Oct. 1, subject to closing conditions.

Concentric will finance the acquisition, which corresponds to a multiple of 9.8 times GO Engineering’s adjusted EBITDA, using cash reserves and existing debt facilities.

GO Engineering had revenues of EUR29.3 million and adjusted EBITDA of EUR2.4 million for the 12-month period ended June 30.

Concentric said in a press release the acquisition aligns with its growth strategy and enhances its electronics engineering capabilities, particularly in software and hardware development.

Founded in 1990, Bühl-based GO Engineering specializes in commercial vehicles and industrial applications. Additionally, it will integrate printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) manufacturing into the Concentric Group.

Helmut Gerstner and Ralf Wörner, the current owners of GO Engineering, will remain involved in the business to through the transition, with Wörner remaining on an ongoing basis. The company’s more than 120 employees will also join Concentric.

Martin Kunz, president and CEO, Concentric, said, “The integration of GO Engineering into Concentric will accelerate our electrification strategy and strengthen our position in both current and future markets for electric liquid cooling and thermal management products. After evaluating numerous potential partners in the electric motor and controller space, GO Engineering stood out for its innovative electric motor controllers. Additionally, their strong customer relationships and commitment to sustainability create synergies as we expand our product portfolio and enhance our in-house capabilities.”

US Commerce Department Offers Supply Chain Risk Assessment Tool

WASHINGTON – The US Department of Commerce unveiled an analytic risk assessment tool to inform the government’s efforts in mitigating supply chain risks.

Launched at the inaugural Supply Chain Summit hosted by the Department of Commerce and the Council on Foreign Relations in September, the SCALE Tool marks a significant milestone in the government’s broader commitment to strengthening the domestic supply chain ecosystem.

The SCALE tool is designed to provide critical insights into vulnerabilities across the supply chain ecosystem, enabling the US government to be more proactive and strategic in addressing issues related to supply chain security. Utilizing data sets from various US government agencies, the tool employs over 40 indicators across geopolitical, logistical, and technological categories to provide an in-depth evaluation of criticality, vulnerability, and resilience. Additionally, the tool assesses a wide range of factors affecting supply chains, including climate challenges and geopolitical tensions, creating a comprehensive “spider web of risk.” By identifying and addressing these risks, the tool allows for a nuanced understanding of structural and systemic supply chain vulnerabilities down to the component level.

In practice, the SCALE tool will guide government decision-making and policy development, facilitate data-driven conversations with industry stakeholders, identify systemic and geopolitical risks, foster international partnerships, shape manufacturing and trade policies, and support investments critical for supply chain resilience. Although the tool will not be available to the private sector, the US government will engage with industry representatives to collaborate on its findings.

In its current version, the Department of Commerce has outlined four primary uses cases for the SCALE Tool:

• Generating unique insights to help the US government’s current efforts to build supply chain resiliency
• Informing the US government’s priorities and agendas
• Pricing and quantifying risk
• Understanding foreign adversary risk.

These use cases will help the United States maintain a competitive edge in global markets while assessing national security and economic implications.

The Commerce Department is already using the SCALE tool to identify critical vulnerabilities in key domestic industries. Specifically, SCALE has pinpointed supply chain risks in critical materials for AI data centers, identifying six materials with the most vulnerable supply chains, including backup generators, printed circuit boards, next-generation cooling technologies, cement, networking equipment, and semiconductors. In turn, the government is taking proactive steps to collaborate with the private sector and share information, particularly with the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness.

Additionally, the tool has identified the chemical and emerging technology sectors as vitally important to the US economy. As a result, the government will be conducting two tabletop exercises in 2025 with these industry stakeholders.