I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
June 12, 2020 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

In industry news this week, recovery is on everyone’s mind. And that influenced my picks this week for the five stories you should not miss. In this week’s selections, you’ll find industry roadmaps and market reports, a new manufacturing facility, and an IPC Task Group focused on the future. While there’s bad to go with the good in the news this week, it seems we’re done hunkering down.
This week’s five items were sourced from all of I-Connect007’s various news sources and publications, including Design007, PCB007, SMT007, The Daily Newsletter, and our weekly newsletters for SMT007, Design007, and MilAero007. Next week, Andy Shaughnessy will be making his selections.
Walt Custer’s EIPC Business Outlook Webinar: ‘You Can’t Sugarcoat This Stuff!’
by Pete Starkey
Published June 11, 2020
In lieu of a traditional EIPC summer conference kicked off with a market briefing by Walt Custer, the 2020 event was instead held virtually. Pete Starkey, I-Connect007 technical editor, attended and captured the essence of the presentation to share with I-Connect007 readers. Custer’s information is always insightful, and this time is no exception. This was an easy choice for this week’s list.
The iNEMI 2019 Roadmap: Optoelectronics
by Pete Starkey
Published June 9, 2020
iNEMI is currently engaged in a series of industry briefings on its 2019 Roadmap, outlining the upcoming goals and needs in the electronics manufacturing space. I-Connect007 technical editor Pete Starkey attended the briefing (held as a webinar) and reported on the session here.
For industry strategists, Pete’s report is recommended reading.
Benchmark Unveils New Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Phoenix
Benchmark
Published June 8, 2020
How does an electronics manufacturing company open a brand-new facility during COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing? Benchmark did just that by hosting a virtual grand opening celebration for its new Phoenix, Arizona, facility.
Elmatica CEO to Serve as Vice-Chair for New IPC Cybersecurity Task Group
IPC
Published June 10, 2020
Didrik Bech is not only CEO at Elmatica but also an I-Connect007 columnist. Now, Bech has been appointed vice-chair for the new IPC Cybersecurity Task Group. Bech brings many years of technical experience and involvement in IPC standards work to his new role on the Task Group.
Standard of Excellence: A Great Partnership Is a Two-Way Street
by Anaya Vardya
Published June 8, 2020
In this “Standard of Excellence” column, Anaya Vardya asked, “Are you a good and true partner to your PCB vendors?” This question seemed to strike a chord with readers in the first 24 hours. Given the interest in the subject, this column had to make this week’s list.
Suggested Items
LITEON Technology Reports Consolidated June Sales of NT$13.6 Billion, Up 16% Y-o-Y
07/08/2025 | LITEON TechnologyLITEON Technology reported its June consolidated revenue of NT$13.6 billion. Thanks to the growth from power management in cloud computing, advanced server, and networking, the revenue is up 2% M-o-M, 16% Y-o-Y. The cumulative sales for January to June totaled NT$76.8 billion, up 24%, Y-o-Y.
Inside Aimtron’s Cross-border EMS Strategy
07/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineMukesh Vasani immigrated from a very small farming village in India to the U.S. in 1995 as a civil engineer. After shifting into electronics, Mukesh built his Chicago-based company, Aimtron, into a successful enterprise by combining quality with competitive pricing. He leveraged his roots in India to expand manufacturing without compromising on quality.
Be the Partner Engineers Can Rely On
07/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineGreen Circuits’ unique niche in the electronics manufacturing industry comes partly from its location in Silicon Valley, but also from its specialty of serving up quick-turn prototypes and low-volume work with high-complexity production. In this conversation, CEO Michael Hinshaw emphasizes the value of end-to-end services, especially while the pace of R&D development is accelerating amidst a growing demand for complexity across industries.
Electronics Industry Wrestles with Cost Pressures and Weaker Profitability
07/07/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationElectronics manufacturers are facing rising material and labor costs according to the Global Electronics Association’s June Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.
Naprotek Appoints James Eisenhaure as Chief Financial Officer
07/07/2025 | Naprotek LLCNaprotek, LLC, a leading provider of mission-critical electronics technology solutions, today announced that James Eisenhaure has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective June 30. Eisenhaure has been serving as interim CFO since earlier this year and now formally steps into the role.