Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Abundance: How We Build a Better Future’
Trouble in Your Tank: In Complex Systems, Design Rules Aren’t Optional
It’s Only Common Sense: The Phone Is Still Your Competitive Advantage
IPC Honors Summit Interconnect and Robert Bosch GmbH with Corporate Recognition Awards
April 10, 2024 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
IPC presented its highest corporate honors to two IPC member companies, Summit Interconnect and Robert Bosch GmbH during the IPC Annual Meeting/Awards Ceremony at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. The Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award was presented to Summit Interconnect and the Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award was presented to Robert Bosch GmbH.
The Peter Samarian Corporate Recognition Award, named for a former IPC Board Chairman, recognizes an IPC-member company in the printed board industry (PCB) that has supported IPC through participation in technical and management programs while providing leadership for the industry.
Summit Interconnect is North America's largest privately held printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer. Founded in 2017, four Summit locations are certified to the IPC-1791, Trusted Electronic Designer, Fabricator and Assembler Requirements standard, ensuring vetted and secure PCB supply to our nation's critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and medical electronics. Summit staff have been staunch supporters of IPC’s advocacy program, with staff serving on IPC’s North American Government Relations Committee, and USPAE Board of Directors, and attending numerous IPC IMPACT events in Washington, D.C.
More than 115 Summit staff members are Certified IPC Specialists (CIS), Certified IPC Trainers (CIT), or Certified IPC Designers (CID) to such standards as IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012.
Named for former IPC Board Chairman and founding member of the IPC Electronics Manufacturing Services Industry Management Council, the IPC Stan Plzak Corporate Recognition Award honors an IPC-member company in the electronics assembly industry (EMS) that actively contributes to the industry while supporting IPC technical and management programs.
Robert Bosch GmbH Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, employing approximately 428,000 associates worldwide. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Mobility is the largest Bosch Group business sector, making the Bosch Group one of the leading automotive suppliers.
More than 15 Robert Bosch GmbH staff members serve on IPC standards development committees, and 35 members have earned CID and CIT certifications.
“IPC benefits tremendously from Summit and Bosch’s leadership and expertise,” said John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. “Both organizations have consistently contributed staff resources and knowledge to standards development and other IPC programs and initiatives. Their involvement has directly contributed to IPC’s global growth in the electronics industry, and we are privileged to have them in our membership.”
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Global Electronics Association to Testify at the Office of the US Trade Representative Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity
05/08/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationChris Mitchell, Vice President for Global Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association, will testify before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity on Friday, May 8.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
TTC-LLC and TTCI: Smarter Training, Stronger Test at PCB East 2026
04/27/2026 | The Test Connection Inc.The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) and The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI) will be exhibiting together at PCB East 2026, taking place April 28–May 1 at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Attendees can find both teams at Booth #103 during the main exhibition day on Wednesday, April 29.