FCT Expands EMS Ops to China

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Flexible Circuit Technologies has expanded its electronics manufacturing and contract manufacturing services with the opening of FCT-Huizhou.

FCT-Huizhou, operating as inTFlex in Huizhou, China, merged FCT’s manufacturing services into a new facility featuring more than 900,000 sq. ft. of production space. The new facility features high-speed, fully automated SMT smart lines, plastics molding, membrane switches, CNC capabilities and fixtures, and permits FCT to continue providing EMS services to customers across the medical, automotive/EV, consumer and industrial markets, the company said.

“FCT is committed to expanding our resources to meet the needs of our customers,” said Ray Cottrell, executive vice president, FCT. “Our new manufacturing space coupled with bringing on a wealth of knowledge to our team, speaks to our commitment. Our continuous growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and the loyalty of our customers. This growth enables us to serve our customers better and opens new opportunities for expanded innovation and research. We are excited about the future of FCT and look forward to continuing our growth!”

PE Group Carlyle Acquires Kyoden

TOKYO – Global investment firm Carlyle in November announced the acquisition of Kyoden, a leading Japanese manufacturer of printed circuit boards. Terms were not immediately disclosed.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Nagano Prefecture, Kyoden is a leader in the design and manufacture of PCBs and board assembly for electronics devices, with a focus on small-lot and high-variety products delivered in short turnaround times. The business employs about 2,100 employees, with manufacturing plants in Japan and Thailand and a regional sales presence across APAC. It has deep experience in electronics manufacturing services, providing end-to-end solutions for component design and manufacturing, procurement of materials and assembly of units and large-scale devices.

The company’s product suite spans a diversified set of industrial applications, including automated guided vehicles, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, amusement machines, wired and wireless equipment, and automotive devices.

In partnership with Kyoden’s management team, Carlyle said it will support the company in further accelerating its growth plans through the continued development of its manufacturing capabilities focused on high-layer-count and build-up PCBs and commercial operations. Leveraging its global platform and resources, Carlyle will also support the business’ international expansion.

In a statement, Kazuhiro Yamada, co-head of Carlyle Japan, said: “Kyoden has a high market share in the PCB industry thanks to its differentiated business model and advanced technological capabilities. Customer needs are becoming more diverse every day, and there is a growing need to incorporate more functions into more compact and lightweight devices. In acquiring Kyoden, we will support the business in responding to those evolving customer demands, continue its focus on technology and innovation, and accelerate its international expansion. We look forward to partnering with Kyoden’s management team in its journey to becoming a leading international PCB manufacturer.”

Hiroshi Naganuma, president of Kyoden, added: “We are excited to start the new partnership with Carlyle to sharpen our unique business model and accelerate Kyoden’s further growth in high-multilayer and build-up PCBs, the global PCB market, and EMS business. We believe Carlyle, with its deep knowledge and track record of growing Japanese companies like Kyoden, is the perfect partner to support the business’ accelerated growth trajectory.”

ISU Petasys Says Looking at Possible Non-PCB Company Acquisitions

DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA – The parent company of printed circuit board fabricator ISU Petasys acknowledged reports in Korean business media that it is considering possible mergers and acquisitions to diversify its business portfolio.

Chosun Biz reported that ISU Group is considering acquiring JEIO, a carbon material developer for products like batteries.

The move, Chosun Biz said, is part of a broader strategy by ISU Group to diversify beyond PCBs.

According to the report, ISU Group is looking to acquire approximately 40% of JEIO’s shares for around 300 billion won.

The report quoted an unnamed ISU Petasys representative as saying, “We are reviewing various measures including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to diversify our business structure, which is currently focused on existing PCBs, but no specific details have been confirmed yet.”

New Vern Solberg Book Highlights PCB Design Techniques

SAN JOSE – Industry veteran Vern Solberg has released a new book on designing for SMT and ultra-high-density interconnect boards.

Design Guidelines for Surface Mount and Microelectronic Technology is a guide developed for printed circuit board design engineers focusing on SMT assembly processing; land pattern development; DfM for HDI and UHDI circuit boards; flexible and rigid-flex circuits; advanced semiconductor package technologies; and 2-D, 2.5-D, 3-D and hybrid bond interconnects.

The author, Vern Solberg, is an SMT design and assembly expert with over four decades of experience in surface mount, microelectronics and manufacturing technology. He has led multiple industry standards committees for land pattern development, BGAs and other areas.

The book offers proven methods and techniques for developing a reliable and assembly process-compatible product. The text and illustrations emphasize the relationship between printed circuit board design, manufacturing, and assembly processing, and are applicable to product design specialists, material procurement professionals and those responsible for manufacturing, assembly and product testing.

Key issues include developing process-compliant land pattern geometry, selecting suitable circuit board base materials and specifying surface finishes that are most compatible with the termination process selected for assembly.

The book is available at solbergtech.com.

XLR8, IMI Sign Alliance, Employee Transfer Deal

SAN CLEMENTE, CA – XLR8 EMS and Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. have signed a deal to form a strategic alliance that includes the transfer of certain employees to XLR8. Financial and other terms were not disclosed.

The transaction, announced in November, noted an undisclosed number of IMI employees in Tustin, CA, will transfer to XLR8.

The alliance between IMI and XLR8 EMS brings together two complementary companies with strong, specialized expertise within EMS. By leveraging their capabilities and technology, the partnership aims to offer their respective customers a broader range of services.

IMI is one of the largest EMS companies in the world, according to the latest CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50. XLR8 is an EMS provider specializing in quickturn, prototype and high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.

XLR8 is a multi-time winner of the CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Service Excellence Award for small-tier EMS companies.

Jabil Looks to Expand India Investments

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil in November signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Gujarat state government to permit the company to explore long-term goals, opportunities and support in the state.

The signing comes after another MoU signing with the Tamil Nadu state in September.

“Jabil is committed to expanding in India to meet and grow with the future needs of our customers in the Intelligent Infrastructure segment, which covers our capabilities across cloud, compute, storage, networking, telecommunications, semiconductor capital equipment, and data center infrastructure, among other end-markets,” said Fred McCoy, executive vice president, operations. “The planned expansion also opens up opportunities for Jabil’s customers in the automotive and transportation industry to consider manufacturing in India.”

Jabil has invested in its Intelligent Infrastructure segment to drive innovation and support the increasing demands of next-wave cloud and AI data center growth. The company said those investments include silicon photonics-based products and capabilities, liquid cooling solutions for thermal management, and an expanded server portfolio purpose-built for scalability.

“Beyond attracting foreign direct investments and job creation, this MoU reflects our shared ambitions to pursue sustainable growth and create long-term value,” said Bhupendra Patel, chief minister of Gujarat. “We are excited at this opportunity to work with Jabil to explore new avenues for long-term growth together.”

Asteelflash Opens Polish Production Facility

SAINT-CLOUD, FRANCE – Asteelflash opened a $19 million production facility near Wrocław, Poland, enhancing its box-build and high-level assembly capabilities in the automotive and industrial sectors.

Asteelflash, a member of USI, celebrated the grand opening of the 14,000 sq. m. facility in late October. The factory features 6,655 sq. m. of state-of-the-art clean room production space, which will enable the company to better meet the demands of its European clients, it said.

“Our expanded facility here in Wroclaw ensures we can meet the needs of our clients as the market grows, providing them with the advanced manufacturing capabilities and capacity they need to succeed,” Asteelflash CEO Nicolas Denis said at the opening ceremony. “Our commitment also extends to responsible growth. This facility was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient systems and environmentally friendly practices to reduce our footprint. We are growing in a way that respects the environment and the future of the communities we serve. With this expansion, we aim to set new standards for our industry and hope to inspire others to invest not only in technology but also in the environment and society.”

“This factory isn’t just a finished project,” said Brian Shih, chairman of USI Poland and SVP of USI. “It shows how much USI is dedicated to Poland and how we’re committed to growing in a way that’s good for everyone. We’re proud to have been here for a long time and will keep investing in this community. This new place will help our customers and partners, not just in Poland, but all over Europe.”

Cicor Expanding into Sweden, Talks to Add German EMS

BRONSCHHOFEN, SWITZERLAND – Cicor Group has acquired Swedish development company Nordic Engineering Partner AB and established a significant presence in the Nordics.

Additionally, Cicor is in advanced negotiations to acquire another German EMS provider.

The acquisition of NEP gives Cicor a presence in Sweden, one of Europe’s leading markets for advanced electronics in the healthcare technology, industrial, and aerospace and defense sectors. Its four engineering offices in the Stockholm area offer custom development services and prototype production for complex electronic systems. NEP, whose customers are in Cicor’s target markets, has 45 employees and generated sales of SEK52 million ($4.7 million) in the financial year ended June 30. Post-closing, NEP will continue to its sites in Sweden with existing staff.

The integration of NEP is another important step in Cicor’s transformation toward becoming the leading pan-European electronics design and manufacturing partner in its chosen markets by 2028, Cicor said in a statement. The acquisition doubles Cicor’s product development capacity and significantly broadens its portfolio of capabilities.

The target company in Germany is a service provider for developing and manufacturing electronic assemblies and systems. Its longstanding customers include medium-sized companies and leading corporations, mainly in the industrial electronics and medical technology sectors. With its state-of-the-art machinery, excellent infrastructure, and further expansion reserves, this acquisition is an ideal next step in Cicor’s growth strategy in Germany, Europe’s largest electronics market. In the last financial year, the company generated sales between EUR20 million and 30 million ($21 million to $31 million) with an operating margin at the level of the Cicor Group.

The transaction is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, subject to usual regulatory and other closing conditions, and completed in early 2025. With this acquisition, Cicor said it intends to further expand its market position in Germany while maintaining its focus on the three target markets of medical technology, aerospace and defense, and industry.

SP Manufacturing Expands Asian Operations

SINGAPORE – SP Manufacturing in November announced the acquisition of the Asia operations of Ideal Jacobs, a Hong Kong-based EMS provider.

“IJA is thrilled to join the SP Manufacturing group,” said Ben Meng, chairman of IJA. “The leadership of IJA remains committed to growing our customers and our business, and we’re excited about building the next chapter of growth together with SP Manufacturing. Partnering with SPM gives us important access to a broader range of capabilities, geographies and scale to serve our customers more deeply over time.”

IJA specializes in high-performance printed electronics and human-machine interface (HMI) solutions for the medical, industrial, semiconductor and communication industries. Its customers are primarily in the US and Europe.

“We welcome IJA to the SP Manufacturing group,” said Philip Ong, CEO, SPM. “We’ve taken time to build a positive and productive partnership with IJA’s leadership, and both companies share deeply-held beliefs in building meaningful, long-term relationships with great customers around the world.”

SPM said the acquisition expands its capabilities with HMI and die-cut solutions, adds additional engineering capabilities, provides access to a new set of customers and enlarges its capacity in Asia, including a facility in Penang, Malaysia.

“SP Manufacturing continues to grow impressively,” added Pei-Shan Wong, director of SPM. “And the addition with IJA is well-aligned with SPM’s strategy of building meaningful, industry-specific capabilities to serve the most valuable mission-critical industries and customers in the world. SP Manufacturing now serves its customers with onshore services in the US and Europe, and offshore in key strategic geographies in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China, reflecting the onshore/offshore future of the global supply chain for our customers.”

Zollner to Acquire Thai EMS Bluechips Microhouse

ZANDT, GERMANY – Zollner Elektronik is expanding its Asian business capabilities by acquiring Bluechips Microhouse, a contract manufacturer based in Thailand.

The German-owned Bluechips has around 650 employees, mainly at its Chiang Mai, Thailand, headquarters. It provides electronics services ranging from PCBAs to full box-build products in industries that include automation, transportation and medical. It has customers in the European, American and Asia-Pacific markets.

“It was important to us to offer our employees a secure future,” Bluechips founder and managing director Thomas Zimpfer said about the alliance. “Through the partnership with Zollner, we are confident that our team and our company will have the best environment to grow into the opportunities that lie ahead. Our shared goals and values ​​form the basis for an exciting partnership.”

In the second half of 2025, Zollner will acquire the majority shares of Bluechips, with the company’s management remaining with the company. The company said the acquisition will strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia by adding additional capacities and technologies while expanding its customer base in the region.

“Bluechips and Zollner are both family-run companies that share a similar history,” said Zollner board member Markus Aschenbrenner. “Through organic growth based on customer performance, Bluechips was able to position itself in a foreign market environment, which is really very impressive. We are convinced that this partnership will contribute to a successful expansion in the Asian region.”

Electronic Source Co. Acquired by PE Firm

LOS ANGELES – EMS provider Electronic Source Company has been acquired by private equity firm Sverica Capital Management, which aims to lead the company through its next stage of growth.

ESC is a provider of high-reliability electronics components for demanding environments, primarily in the aerospace and defense and space industries. The company offers services from circuit card assembly through complex box build, as well as engineering services, prototype assembly, new product introduction, test services and supply chain solutions.

Jabil, Cyferd Launch AI-Driven Supply Chain Platform

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil has announced a joint venture with AI company Cyferd to introduce ID8 Global, a GenAI-driven autonomous supply chain and procurement platform.

By combining Jabil’s experience across the global supply chain with Cyferd’s advanced platform capabilities and self-learning AI engine, ID8 Global’s customizable software will allow teams to autonomously manage their supply chains while addressing disruptions, optimizing procurement processes and responding to market changes in real time, the companies said in a release.

“By merging Jabil’s industry expertise with Cyferd’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, we’re not just improving the supply chain; we’re reimagining it,” said Frank McKay, chief procurement and supply chain officer at Jabil. “This platform will help organizations scale faster and adapt to global demands. We’re at the forefront of something truly transformative that will strengthen Jabil’s relationships with its customers and suppliers.”

“ID8 Global will embed AI-driven automation and efficiency gains directly into the core of customers’ procurement and supply chain operations,” said Jeff Austin, vice president of procurement and supply chain services at Jabil. “Through this joint venture, we’re driving smarter, more sustainable decision-making workflows across the supply chain ecosystem and building the foundation for autonomous, resilient supply chain management.”

“Our alliance with Jabil through this joint venture redefines what’s possible in supply chain and procurement management,” said Ranjit Bahia, CEO, Cyferd. “With Cyferd’s self-learning engine, which can create AI agents and applications in minutes, we’re creating dramatic efficiencies in digital transformation and seamless data integration within organizations. Paired with Jabil’s unparalleled knowledge and decades of expertise, we’re creating one of the most advanced self-learning platforms on the planet. This is a leap forward for flexible, proactive supply chain operations.”