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New SMT007 Magazine: Wire Harness Solutions
April 1, 2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
For years, wire harness shops have operated without the same level of software and automation seen elsewhere in electronics manufacturing. That’s beginning to change, and with it, the way these businesses run.
In the new issue of SMT007 Magazine, explore what’s shaping wire harness manufacturing and how new solutions are helping companies streamline operations and better support EMS providers. Hear from experts at the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Association, companies advancing automated quoting, and see how these shifts are influencing production in one of the world’s largest wire harness hubs: Mexico.
Bonus! Look for our exclusive photo galleries from WHMA's 2026 Global Leadership Summit and APEX EXPO 2026, learn more AI tips from Dr. Jennie Hwang, and see who was talking at APEX EXPO in our special Take the Mic! interview series.
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Breaking the Manual Quoting Bottleneck in Wire Harness
04/15/2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineArik Vrobel has spent more than 35 years in wire harness manufacturing—starting in EL-Com, his father's shop, building it into a nationally recognized contract manufacturer, and ultimately selling to Aptiv/Winchester in 2021. But retirement didn't last long. Within months, Arik was back, not as a manufacturer this time, but as a technologist. His new company, Cableteque, is building the quoting and data automation platform he always wished existed.
Wire Harness Taking a Step in the Right Direction
04/08/2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineTo fully understand the modernization of wire harness design and assembly, we met with members of the Innovation Advisory Team for the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) to outline the current challenges facing wire harnesses and the specific steps to implement a digital data flow from OEM to manufacturer and back. In some ways, the wire harness industry is moving from 19th-century to 21st-century technology. But in the meantime, the real challenge isn’t building the harness—manufacturers are very good at that.
From Panels to Post-its
04/07/2026 | Lorena Villanueva, Global Electronics Association MexicoLast January, I attended the Global Leadership Summit of the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) in Las Vegas, and there was a subtle shift in one of the events that everyone could feel. We still had the traditional conference rhythm: strong keynote, well-prepared panels, and smart people in the room. There were also, sometimes, some careful answers—useful, but not always candid. So, I was curious when WHMA introduced a new peer-to-peer format for one session.
Zuken Announces Digital Assembly Workflows for Harness Manufacturing
03/31/2026 | ZukenZuken announced the expansion of its Assembly Task Manager plugin for E3.series to support digital assembly workflows for harness manufacturing, helping manufacturers standardize how assembly instructions are created and executed.
Nolan’s Notes: Wire Harness—The Underdog of the Industry
04/01/2026 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesMy dad’s favorite cartoon character was “Underdog,” one of the very first American Saturday morning cartoon shows. When someone asked him for help, Underdog would proudly declare, “Never Fear! Underdog is here!” Over time, I learned that “underdog” had a wider, more socially poignant meaning than just the name of a cartoon superhero. These stories about underdogs kept coming to mind while working on this issue about the challenges facing the wire harness industry. The product is not exactly glamorous and is often treated as an afterthought, but it is most certainly critical to the system.