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Mexico isn’t just part of the electronics manufacturing conversation—it’s leading it. From growing investments to cross-border collaborations, Mexico is fast becoming the center of electronics in North America. This issue includes bilingual content, with all feature articles available in both English and Spanish.
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EMS companies need advanced software systems to thrive and compete. But these systems require significant effort to integrate and deploy. What is the reality, and how can we make it easier for everyone?
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Brent Laufenberg Appointed CIO of the Global Electronics Association, Advancing Technology and Member Services
July 31, 2025 | Global Electronics AssociationEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC International Inc.) announces the appointment of Brent Laufenberg as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).
As CIO, Laufenberg will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, overseeing the implementation of a modern IT infrastructure and advancing the Association’s vision to become a data-informed and AI-accelerated global organization.
“Brent brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and deep understanding of how to use technology as a driver of business value,” said John W. Mitchell, Global Electronics Association president and CEO. “His leadership will be instrumental as we enter a new chapter focused on leveraging AI, data, and digital tools to serve our members in smarter, more personalized, and more impactful ways.”
Laufenberg’s priorities will include:
- Technology Strategy & Execution: Crafting and implementing a business-aligned technology roadmap that supports growth and delivers a competitive advantage for members.
 - AI & Data Innovation: Championing AI adoption and building a data-driven culture to enhance decision-making, productivity, and insight.
 - Member Experience Transformation: Leading the development of intuitive, personalized digital platforms that elevate member engagement and satisfaction.
 - Organizational Enablement: Inspiring cross-functional collaboration and embedding technology as a strategic accelerator across the association.
 - Security & Risk Management: Ensuring a secure, compliant, and resilient technology environment.
 - Operational Efficiency: Managing IT investments and partnerships to deliver measurable value and performance.
 
“As the global electronics industry and supply chain continues to evolve, we have a responsibility to match that transformation in how we support our members,” Laufenberg said. “Every member experience—whether it’s training and certification, seamlessly leveraging our standards, gaining deeper industry insights, or creating new technology solutions to accelerate innovation—should be intuitive, personalized, and undeniably valuable. I’m excited to join the Global Electronics Association at such a pivotal time and look forward to helping expand the impact we can make through smart, strategic use of technology.”
Laufenberg joins the Association with more than two decades of technology leadership experience in complex, global organizations, most recently serving as chief technology officer at Rise, an omnichannel media agency. “Brent’s proven ability to lead digital transformation and his passion for innovation will be instrumental as the association continues to evolve to meet the needs of the global electronics industry,” added Mitchell.
Laufenberg works from the headquarters office in Bannockburn, Ill., and can be reached at BrentLaufenberg@electronics.org.
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Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
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Nolan’s Notes: Is Mexico the Pulse of Electronics in the Americas?
11/04/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesLast year, I attended SMTA Guadalajara, where I saw the results of the Mexican investment in electronics manufacturing. The U.S. was still operating under the Biden administration, and while Mexican EMS companies had expanded capacity to support EV manufacturing, the demand dropped significantly. In my conversations at the show, the sentiment was one of patience. They knew the EV business would likely come back. However, they didn’t expect an overhaul of U.S. trade agreements and tariffs that would shift a more diversified portfolio in Mexico’s direction.
SMT007 Magazine November 2025: Inside Mexico’s Rise as an Electronics Manufacturing Leader
11/04/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamMexico isn’t just part of the electronics manufacturing conversation—it’s leading it. From growing investments to cross-border collaborations, Mexico is fast becoming the center of electronics in North America. In this issue, we uncover why Mexico is earning global recognition. From top-ranked manufacturing capabilities to expanding partnerships that reach far beyond the U.S.
Henger Microelectronics Expands Global Footprint with Major Equipment Shipment to Southeast Asia
10/31/2025 |Henger Microelectronics has reached a major milestone in its global expansion strategy with the successful shipment of advanced plasma etching and cleaning systems, along with automation equipment, to multiple countries and regions across Southeast Asia. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the company’s international growth and reinforces its position as a leading force in the global plasma equipment industry.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/31/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Last week, the IMPACT conference took place in Taipei, bringing together advanced packaging experts from around the globe to share their knowledge. We’ll be bringing you post-conference coverage over the next few weeks, so look for that in our newsletters, and in the Advanced Electronic Packaging Digest. Other news seemed to have the U.S. at the center of the global discussions. My picks start in Phoenix, where TSMC, NVIDIA, and Amkor are all scrambling to establish new capabilities. There’s nothing like a strong demand signal to cause build-out, and AI chips are doing exactly that.