It’s Only Common Sense: Marketing Isn’t Fluff, It’s Ammunition
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
The Chemical Connection: Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
Automated Chemical Solutions Announces Acquisition of Assets by the Redfern Companies
October 22, 2020 | InsulectroEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Phoenix, Arizona-based Automated Chemical Solutions announces it will be acquired by The Redfern Companies. ACS is a leader in specialty chemical and process control manufacturing for the printed circuit board and general metal finishing industries.
“ACS looks forward to this next step in our evolution,” commented Scott Campbell, ACS founder and president. “The new ownership will bring unprecedented opportunity for growth and expansion. The Redfern Companies are very active in the PCB industry with an extensive portfolio of resources. I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for ACS and our employees. I look forward to personally continuing with the new company; helping it continue to grow and provide cutting edge solutions to our industry.”
ACS was founded on the belief that chemicals and control systems must work together to provide the most consistent and efficient manufacturing processes and has always taken a process control approach when formulating chemical products.
Today, ACS is the only supplier to the PCB industry that designs and manufactures both process chemicals and control systems. Products include cleaners, etchants, developers, and strippers, among others, as well as all associated control systems. ACS is known for responding quickly to customer needs and evolving technology by providing custom chemical formulations and controller designs tailored to the specific requirements of a given process. ACS manufactures products under both the ACS and Focus Tech brand names.
“I am excited to welcome the ACS team to our family. Scott, who will remain President, has been a respected leader in chemical process controls for over 30 years,” stated Patrick Redfern. “This acquisition provides a platform for growth in specialty chemicals and demonstrates our long-term commitment to PCB imaging. We are passionate about helping our customers build better boards faster.”
Campbell concluded, “The best teams have great chemistry! Glad to be joining Team Redfern!”
Automated Chemical Solutions’ process chemicals and control equipment are distributed by Insulectro, the leading distributor in North America of materials used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and printed electronics.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Unlocking the Promise of AI in Electronics Manufacturing
10/29/2025 | Shobhit Agrawal, Keysight TechnologiesThe electronics manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving as more complicated products are introduced in the production lines, which require technological advancements even in the production processes. The requirements for production that is efficient, product quality that is greater, and product life cycles that are shorter are more crucial than ever before. In the electronic device life cycle, from design to maintenance, test phases have a significant impact on the economy of the company. Test processes are closely linked to the production volume and impacted by the complexity of the product. For businesses to maintain their competitive edge, they need to adopt innovative solutions and redefine processes.
Connect the Dots: Designing for the Reality of UHDI PCBs—Drilling
11/04/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsUltra high density interconnect (UHDI) PCBs are changing the game in designing for the reality of manufacturing. With both consumer and industrial electronic devices becoming more advanced, the demand for UHDI PCBs will grow. That means we’re all likely to be designing more UHDI boards. UHDI advanced miniaturization technology challenges designers with regard to both board thickness and footprint. Designers will face more variables in every aspect of design creation. This is certainly the case with drilling.
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
10/28/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationRigid-flex printed circuit boards are a highly effective solution for placing complex circuitry in tight, three-dimensional spaces. They are now indispensable across a range of industries, from medical devices and aerospace to advanced consumer electronics, helping designers make the most efficient use of available space. However, their unique construction—combining rigid and flexible materials—presents a fundamental challenge for PCB manufacturers.
SMTAI 2025 Review: Reflecting on a Pragmatic and Forward-looking Industry
10/27/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Leaving the show floor on the final afternoon of SMTA International last week in Rosemont, Illinois, it was clear that the show remains a grounded, technically driven event that delivers a solid program, good networking, and an easy space to commune with industry colleagues and meet with customers.
The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
10/15/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteMarketing to a technical audience is like crafting a multilayer board: Each layer serves a purpose, from the surface story to the buried detail that keeps everything connected. At I-Connect007, we’ve learned that the best marketing campaigns aren’t built linearly; they’re layered. A campaign might start with a highly technical resource, such as an in-depth article, a white paper, or a podcast featuring an engineer delving into the details of a process. That’s the foundation, the substance that earns credibility.