Connect the Dots: Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality—Surface Finish
The Pulse: Caught in the Crosshatch—A Cautionary Tale of Detective Work
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
PDR Welcomes James Willis of Restronics as Its New Representative
June 28, 2023 | PDREstimated reading time: 1 minute
PDR, founded in 1985, and a leading manufacturer of BGA rework systems and X-ray systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Willis as its new manufacturers’ representative from Restronics. With this strategic partnership, PDR aims to expand its presence and enhance customer support in the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.
As a trusted and reputable manufacturers’ representative, Restronics brings extensive industry experience and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Willis, as the representative for Restronics, will play a pivotal role in promoting PDR’s cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive range of solutions for electronics assembly and rework.
PDR is renowned for its advanced rework and systems and X-ray technology for non-destructive testing. These industry-leading solutions enable electronics manufacturers to achieve reliable and efficient assembly processes while ensuring the highest quality standards.
Willis’ extensive knowledge of the industry and strong relationships with key customers in the Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa regions will enable PDR to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of manufacturers in these areas.
“We are thrilled to have James join our team as our representative for this crucial region,” said Dave White, CEO of White Industrial Corporation, parent company of PDR Americas. “His expertise and deep understanding of the industry will strengthen our presence and allow us to better serve our customers in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa. We are confident that James will play a pivotal role in driving our growth and delivering exceptional value to our customers.”
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested 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.
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.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.