Icape Group Acquires UK’s Kingfisher PCBs

FONTENAY-AUX-ROSES, FRANCE – Icape Group has expanded its presence in the UK by acquiring Kingfisher PCBs.

The Prestwick-based PCB supplier brings more than 35 years of experience in aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, oil, and gas. The company said its acquisition strengthens Icape’s presence in the UK market and expands its distribution network.

“This latest operation completes the structuring of our Business Unit in the United Kingdom, one of the main European PCB distribution markets,” said Icape CEO Yann Duigou. “Kingfisher’s expertise and established customer relationships complement our existing capabilities and will allow us to provide even better services and support to our customers in the region. We are excited to welcome the Kingfisher team to the Icape family.”

The Kingfisher team will remain in place and its headquarters will stay in Prestwick.

“Joining the ICAPE Group provides Kingfisher PCBs with access to a global network and resources that will enable us to better serve our customers with a wider range of products and services,” said Kingfisher CEO Victor Sproat. “This is an exciting new chapter for Kingfisher, and we are confident that this partnership will bring significant benefits to our customers.”

PE Group, FormFactor Team to Acquire FICT

NAGANO, JAPAN – An Asian private equity firm is acquiring printed circuit board (PCB) fabricator FICT Ltd. in a deal valued at 100 billion yen ($656 million).

The deal is expected to close in the current quarter.

MBK Partners and Livermore, CA-based FormFactor Inc. will acquire FICT from Advantage Partners. Under the agreement, MBK will assume an 80% share of FICT, with FormFactor receiving a 20% stake for its $60 million investment.

MBK said FICT’s capabilities in building semiconductor substrates drove the investment decision.

“The semiconductor industry’s rapidly accelerating adoption of advanced packaging requires increased investment and stronger collaboration across the test and assembly supply chain,” said Mike Slessor, CEO, FormFactor, in a statement. FICT is a supplier to FormFactor.

FICT develops and manufactures PCBs and substrates for semiconductor test equipment and communications infrastructure OEMs. It was founded in 1967 as Fujitsu’s PCB business unit. It has fiscal 2024 sales of about $198 million.

Würth Elektronik Finalizes Schopfheim PCB Plant Closure

SCHOPFHEIM, SWITZERLAND – Würth Elektronik closed its PCB production site here in early February after first announcing the move in October. The fabricator will move production from Schopfheim to its three sites in Germany.

“The management and works council have now reached an agreement on a reconciliation of interests and a social plan, which was presented to the affected employees at a works meeting on February 6,” according to the company. “After the closure was announced, companies from the region and neighboring Switzerland contacted us with job offers for the employees in Schopfheim. Würth Elektronik used the contact for an internal job exchange. To date, almost all trainees and around 50 employees have been placed.”

“The production sites in Niedernhall and Rot-am-See will focus on industries and applications whose more complex and individual printed circuit boards are manufactured in Europe for strategic reasons,” said Wurth, which attributes the need to close Schopfheim to “the current worst crisis in the history of the PCB industry in Europe, with a dramatic slump in incoming orders.”

Würth was founded in 1971 and has 1,000 employees, 4,000 customers and annual sales in the “three-digit million range.”

Vexos Expands Manufacturing Capacity in Vietnam, US

NEW YORK – Vexos in February announced expansions of its Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Vancouver, WA, facilities to meet increasing customer demand.

The company said these investments will enhance production efficiency, automation, and supply chain flexibility, helping it meet growing customer demand and navigate evolving geopolitical dynamics.

“Our expansion in Ho Chi Minh City and Vancouver, Washington, reflects our commitment to increasing capacity, leveraging advanced technology, and optimizing operations to better serve our customers,” said Paul Jona, CEO, Vexos. “By expanding strategically, we are enhancing agility, reducing lead times, and strengthening supply chain resilience.”

The Vancouver facility will significantly expand capacity with the installation of a fourth SMT line, alongside new automation and material handling technologies, including a Valuline cleanroom and an Inovaxe component storage system. The expansion is on track for full implementation by March 2025. The Vietnam facility has added 8,000 sq. ft. for assembly and box build operations, alongside key investments in SMT line enhancements.

“As we invest in Vancouver and Ho Chi Minh City, we remain focused on delivering the most efficient, high-quality, and competitive solutions to our customers worldwide,” added Jona.

Vexos operates five facilities, located in Markham, Ontario; Juarez, Mexico; Dongguan, China; Ho Chi Minh City and Vancouver.

Flex Opens Power Facility in Dallas

DALLAS – Flex has expanded its US manufacturing operations with a new 400,000 sq. ft. facility here, aimed at enhancing its production capabilities for power infrastructure solutions.

The company said the facility will focus on the fabrication and assembly of power pods, power distribution units, and low-voltage switchgear, catering to the growing needs of North American customers.

“Our new Dallas facility positions us to deliver next-generation power infrastructure solutions that help customers maximize computing performance while reducing deployment times,” said Chris Butler, president of Embedded and Critical Power.

The Dallas site represents a significant addition to Flex’s US operations following the acquisition of Crown Technical Systems in October 2024. The facility will serve as a central hub, combining technical power pod fabrication with utility-grade capabilities, which is expected to streamline distribution processes for the company’s expanding customer base in North America.

Keytronic Plans $28M Expansion in Arkansas

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – Keytronic plans to build a $28 million manufacturing facility in Springdale, AR, and anticipates creating more than 400 jobs in the next five years.

The company said it will shift its existing Arkansas operations in Fayetteville to the new 300,000 sq. ft. facility in Springdale in late 2025, which will increase production capacity by approximately 40%.

“We are pleased to announce the expansion of our US manufacturing operations in Northwest Arkansas,” said CEO Brett Larsen. “Our new center of excellence in Springdale will provide both our employees and customers with cutting-edge technology and the increased capacity necessary to accommodate expected growth. We are committed to continuously investing in our capabilities and attracting innovative talent. Our people are our most valuable asset, and we are delighted to enhance our operations in a region where we have maintained a longstanding presence and a strong team and can benefit from a business-friendly environment.”

The company also announced an expansion to its Vietnam operations, with plans to double its manufacturing capacity in the country by September 2025 with a significant investment in capital equipment.

AIM Solder Acquires Solder Assembly Materials Firm Canfield Technologies

CRANSTON, RI – AIM Solder has acquired the assets of Canfield Technologies, a fellow producer of solder assembly materials. Financial and other terms were not disclosed.

Canfield’s production operations will be integrated into AIM’s facility in Mexico to optimize manufacturing processes and better serve the company’s global clientele.

In a statement, AIM called the deal a “strategic move aims to enhance AIM’s growth, efficiency, and excellence in the industrial sector. … Their commitment to superior customer service, innovative solutions, competitive pricing, and prompt delivery aligns seamlessly with AIM’s core values.”

Sayreville, NJ-based Canfield Technologies has a longstanding reputation for manufacturing solders and fluxes for industrial, plumbing, electronics, and stained-glass applications. It was founded in 1844.

AIM said it is committed to providing exceptional service to Canfield’s customers during the transition.

“We are excited to welcome Canfield Technologies into the AIM family,” said Ron Sabourin, AIM’s industrial business manager. “This acquisition strengthens our position in the market and enhances our ability to deliver high-quality products and services to our customers.”

ACT Group Acquires UK-Based Assembler Active-PCB

READING, UK – UK-based electronics manufacturer Active-PCB has announced its acquisition by Agile Circuit Technologies Group.

“Active-PCB was founded 28 years ago by Gary Turner and Marinela Covachã, with a relentless focus on providing highly responsive service to address customer’s underlying needs,” said Active-PCB CEO Mark Aitken. “ACT Group’s culture and strategy is a perfect fit with this founding ethos. We are excited about the prospects for our customers and ourselves in this new partnership.”

Active-PCB provides electronic and mechanical assembly solutions for everything from early design and prototyping to volume production. ACT Group offers PCB manufacturing and assembly services for various industries, including communications, industrial control, consumer electronics, medical, automobile and aerospace.

“I am delighted that we have been able to welcome Active-PCB to the ACT Group family,” said Dean Curran, CEO, ACT Group. “Active-PCB shares ACT Group’s continual drive to invest behind great customer service. We look forward to supporting Mark Aitken and the Active-PCB team as they continue on this journey, and to sharing the customer service benefits which membership of a larger group can provide.”