Universal Appoints Jeff Knight to Lead APL and Advanced Technology Assembly Services

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Universal Instruments has appointed Jeff Knight as General Manager of the Advanced Process Lab (APL) and Advanced Technology Assembly Services (ATAS). Knight will operate out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Conklin, NY and will be responsible for generating new business opportunities for Universal’s advanced technology groups at both the Conklin and Rochester, NY facilities while also ensuring an exceptional level of support and success for the existing customer base.

With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Knight has held leadership positions in engineering, operations and business development for various facets of electronics assembly. These include: substrate manufacturing, connector design and development, and PCB design, development and manufacturing. His experience also includes roles in advanced semiconductor packaging, where he directed the design and development of new products such as flex and laminate chip carriers.

Knight began his career at IBM in a variety of management roles, eventually transitioning to Endicott Interconnect Technologies and then to Actuant Corporation where he held the titles of Director of Operations, General Manager of Semiconductor Packaging, and most recently, Vice President of Business Development and New Product Development.

“This new position provides the ideal platform to leverage all of the different technologies and business aspects I’ve been involved with throughout my career,” said Knight. “Not only the diverse areas of focus, but also the industry contacts I’ve cultivated and the colleagues and customers I’ve built lasting relationships with.”

Knight continued, “Universal’s APL has secured a stellar reputation for its pioneering research and development and the ATAS projects currently include some very impressive leading‐edge products. I am very eager to share my perspective and get to work with the team.”

Universal Instruments Vice President of Customer Operations, Brad Bennett noted that Universal’s APL is a truly unique asset in the greater electronics community, and required “a very special candidate” to enhance the value that it brings to its customers. “We couldn’t be happier, bringing Jeff on board,” said Bennett. “With his well‐rounded background and history of achievements, we’re confident that he’ll extend the reach of the APL and continue to build on the high level of success it has enjoyed. Jeff will also be integral in growing our ATAS business by establishing strategic partnerships aimed at the new product development of challenging next-generation technologies for our customers.”