Cadence Acquires Key ECAD VAR EMA Design Automation

SAN JOSE – Cadence Design Systems in March acquired EMA Design Automation, its key distributor in the printed circuit board software design space, according to an announcement the ECAD software giant sent to the latter’s customers and users.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed; however, Cadence said it would retain all EMA’s staff.

The deal culminates a long relationship between the two companies.

Since 2003, EMA Design Automation has for years been exclusive distributor of Cadence’s OrCad products in North America and Europe. In 2011, EMA added the Allegro PCB flow to its line card, further tying the company’s outlook to its key partner.

A value-added reseller, EMA has made several acquisitions over the years to expand its products and reach. Among its acquisitions were DesignAdvance in 2009 and Accelerated Designs in 2016, which added component placement, reuse and library tools.

In late 2020, EMA brought on the engineering sales and support team, Trilogic EDA, a fellow VAR.

In 2023, EMA spun out its CAD-agnostic products into a standalone company. The deal with Cadence includes all stock, assets and its 76 employees, including the EMA subsidiaries.

Cadence has grown rapidly in the silicon design space, and system design and analysis – which includes the PCB tools – made up close to $850 million of its $5.3 billion in sales in 2025.End of article content 

TPCA Unveils Taiwan PCB Industry Risk Governance Strategy

TAOYUAN, TAIWAN – The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association has released its first PCB Industry Risk Governance Strategy, outlining six action pathways to strengthen resilience and long-term development.

Taiwan’s PCB industry reached output of approximately $43 billion in 2025, with continued growth expected to $46.7 billion driven by AI demand.

The strategy outlines priorities across low-carbon and energy governance, industrial cybersecurity and supply chain management, global manufacturing resilience, high-end PCB and semiconductor collaboration, digital transformation and AI-driven manufacturing, and talent development.

TPCA said the framework is designed to help the industry shift from reactive risk management to coordinated, proactive planning as companies navigate geopolitical pressures, material constraints and evolving global supply chains.End of article content 

SQ Advanced Interconnect Plans Malaysia IPO to Fund Expansion

PENANG – SQ Advanced Interconnect plans to list on the main market of Bursa Malaysia to fund manufacturing expansion, research and development, and workforce growth.

The company manufactures flexible printed circuits and integrated circuit substrates, operating facilities in Malaysia and China.

SQ Advanced Interconnect reported profit of about $17 million in 2025, up from roughly $14.6 million in 2023.

Proceeds from the planned listing will support capacity expansion, R&D and working capital.End of article content 

ASMPT Explores SMT Business Divestiture

HONG KONG – ASMPT said it is considering divesting its surface mount technology (SMT) solutions business after receiving acquisition interest, as the company looks to focus more heavily on end-market businesses and expand investment in areas where it holds stronger competitive advantages.

Chief executive Robin Ng said the company has already attracted potential buyers for the SMT division, signaling a possible strategic shift toward higher-growth semiconductor equipment segments.

The company also expects improved profitability in the first quarter. Gross margin fell 101 basis points year-over-year to 35.8% in the previous quarter, but management anticipates a rebound driven by increased sales of thermocompression bonding (TCB) systems and high-end die bonding machines.

Those products are expected to push the semiconductor solutions segment’s gross margin back toward the mid-40% range. However, the SMT solutions segment is likely to remain under pressure as demand from automotive and industrial markets continues to weaken.

ASMPT acquired the division from Siemens in 2011.End of article content 

Karkhana Acquires Micron EMS to Add In-House Manufacturing Capacity

BENGALURU – B2B manufacturing startup Karkhana has acquired electronics manufacturing services provider Micron EMS in a deal valued at about $1.2 million, marking the company’s first move to directly own production facilities.

The acquisition adds a 40,000 sq. ft. electronics manufacturing plant in Bengaluru equipped with high-speed surface-mount technology lines, through-hole PCB assembly capabilities and more than 10 box-build production lines. The facility will permit Karkhana to bring printed circuit board assembly, advanced testing and system-level manufacturing in-house.

“For the last seven years we have largely operated as an aggregator connecting OEMs with manufacturing partners,” said Sonam Motwani, founder and CEO, Karkhana. “But as product complexity increased, we realized we needed to start owning capacity, especially in electronics.”

Micron EMS brings more than 15 years of manufacturing experience and established shop-floor operations. Following the acquisition, the combined organization will operate with a team of more than 150 employees across engineering, manufacturing, quality and operations.

Karkhana currently works with more than 25 OEM customers, with most revenue coming from automotive electronics, industrial electronics and connected consumer devices. The company also sees growing opportunities tied to data center infrastructure and energy systems driven by artificial intelligence demand.

The startup aims to scale its business to 200 crore rupees ($21 million) in annual recurring revenue by fiscal year 2027 and plans to expand exports to the United States and Europe as global supply chains diversify.End of article content 

Kaga Electronics to Open Singapore PCB Assembly Plant

TOKYO – Kaga Electronics is establishing a circuit board assembly plant in Singapore as the company responds to rising demand from Chinese firms relocating production outside mainland China amid ongoing US-China trade tensions.

The new facility is expected to begin operations as early as spring and will support electronics manufacturing services (EMS) for customers seeking alternative production bases in Southeast Asia.

Kaga Electronics provides EMS and semiconductor distribution services through manufacturing operations across China, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico. The Singapore expansion strengthens the company’s regional manufacturing network while positioning it to capture new business from customers relocating assembly operations outside China.

The plant will focus on circuit board assembly, supporting customers across multiple electronics sectors as supply chains adjust to geopolitical pressures.End of article content 

Volex to Close Servatron Facility, Shift Production to California

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – Volex PLC plans to close its Servatron manufacturing facility in Spokane Valley at the end of the year, consolidating production and customers into its Irvine Electronics subsidiary in California.

The decision follows excess manufacturing capacity across the two sites and the upcoming expiration of Servatron’s 70,000 sq. ft. facility lease. Equipment and production will be relocated to Irvine Electronics when the Spokane Valley operation closes on Dec. 31.

Servatron employs about 100 workers, though it has not yet been determined whether all employees will be laid off or if some will transition to the California operation.

The company said the consolidation is intended to optimize its US manufacturing footprint while maintaining service continuity for customers.End of article content 

Note Acquires STI to Expand Defense EMS Capabilities

STOCKHOLM – Note has acquired 100% of STI Enterprises Holdings Limited, a UK-based electronics manufacturing services provider focused on mission-critical defense applications, in a deal valued at $92 million.

STI operates two production facilities in Hook and Poynton and supports programs across air, land, cyber and marine domains. The company employs approximately 300 people and is expected to generate around $76 million in revenue in 2026, with profitability in line with Note’s existing operations.

Note confirmed its full-year 2026 outlook, expecting operating margins between 9.5% and 10.5%.End of article content 

EMS Zetwerk Targets $4B Valuation

BENGALURU – Zetwerk plans to raise up to $550 million through an an initial public offering in India, according to published reports. The IPO would value the contract assembler at about $4 billion.

Founded in 2018, Zetwerk operates 10 facilities in India, the US, Mexico and Europe.

The company was expected to submit its draft red herring prospectus in March, permitting it to advance regulatory review while limiting early public disclosure.

Zetwerk raised $90 million at a valuation of $3.1 billion in 2024.End of article content