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A North America spotlight exploring tariffs, reshoring, AI demand, and supply chain challenges. Plus, insights on cybersecurity, workforce development, and the evolving role of U.S. electronics manufacturing.
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Explore what’s shaping wire harness manufacturing, and how new solutions are helping companies streamline operations and better support EMS providers. Take a closer look at what’s driving the shift.
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As Europe’s defense priorities grow and supply chains are reassessed, industry and policymakers are pushing to rebuild regional capability. This issue explores how Europe is reshaping its electronics ecosystem for a more resilient future.
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Take the Mic: Smart and Flexible SMT Solutions from Essemtec
April 3, 2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Essemtec is known for naturally adaptive machines inspired by nature and designed for advanced HDI as well as package substrate manufacturing. Pierre-Jean Cancalon discusses new 2K dispensing and high-speed solder paste jetting technologies, perfect for NPI prototyping and flexible production environments.
APEX EXPO 2026 has concluded successfully. If you couldn’t make it to the show, don’t worry, the I-Connect007 team has coverage of the entire week’s events. Watch your inbox on Fridays over the next several weeks for our complete coverage, delivered directly to your inbox, or visit Real Time with… APEX EXPO 2026 now for video interviews with the movers and shakers of the electronics industry.
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Punching Out: How Are the Big Boys in Electronics Doing?
05/12/2026 | Tom Kastner -- Column: Punching Out!Let’s see what the public companies are up to in the PCB and EMS industries. In North America, there are only a couple of publicly traded PCB companies: TTM Technologies and Firan Technology Group. On the EMS side, there are a few more: Flex, Jabil, Celestica, Sanmina,, Benchmark, Fabrinet, Kimball Electronics, Plexus Corp, Nortech Systems, and Key Tronic Corp. From an M&A standpoint, these public companies have been fairly quiet in the past five years. FTG completed two deals in 2022 (IMI and Holaday), Flex had three deals, Jabil had five deals, and Sanmina had one deal.
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.
Connect the Dots: Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality—Surface Finish
05/07/2026 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsWhen designing the complex boards that many electronic devices require to operate, designers should consider manufacturability at every step. This is my last article focused on designing for the always-evolving manufacturing reality. Choosing the right surface finish has always been important. If you are creating intricate designs with a wide variety of components, like for an ultra-high density interconnect (UHDI) board, surface finish is a critical last step.
Trouble in Your Tank: In Complex Systems, Design Rules Aren’t Optional
05/06/2026 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankThere is no question that the electronics industry, especially in circuit board design and fabrication, advanced packaging, and innovation throughout the value chain, has seen a significant transformation, whether it be in materials, system architecture, HDI and ultra HDI, semiconductors, or chiplets. AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving change across several fronts, including material properties, assembly techniques (think hybrid bonding), and power management.
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.