-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current Issue
Spotlight on North America
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.
Wire Harness Solutions
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.
Spotlight on Europe
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.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
A.R.T. MD Recognized Among UK’s Top Women Business Leaders for 2025
November 24, 2025 | A.R.T. Ltd.Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Debbie McDade, Managing Director of Advanced Rework Technology Ltd (A.R.T.), has been named one of the winners in the Influential Women in Business Awards 2025, an initiative recognising leadership and achievement across UK industry.
This marks the second consecutive year Debbie has been acknowledged by the awards, which highlighted her contribution to the electronics sector and her long-standing commitment to advancing high-quality technical training.
With more than 20 years’ experience in electronics manufacturing and education, Debbie has been instrumental in strengthening professional standards and ensuring that IPC training reflects the realities of modern production environments.
Debbie said: “I’m honoured to receive this recognition, particularly in an industry where women still remain under-represented at senior and technical levels. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on strengthening the quality and consistency of electronics manufacturing by ensuring training is practical, standards-driven and relevant to modern production environments. Supporting people as they build their skills and progress in their careers has always been central to my work, and it’s rewarding to see that contribution recognised. I hope it encourages more women to consider technical roles and leadership paths within the electronics sector.”
As Managing Director of one of Europe’s longest-established independent IPC Certification Centres, Debbie oversees A.R.T.’s strategic direction while remaining directly involved in programme delivery as an IPC Master Instructor Trainer (MIT). Her work includes active participation in global standards development. She currently chairs several IPC European committees, contributes to international working groups, and has previously served as vice chair of both the IPC Technical Activities Executive Committee (TAEC) and the IPC Training Program Advisory Committee (V-TPAC).
A.R.T.’s leadership team also includes Director John Vickers, a qualified Master IPC Trainer. Together, they guide the company’s training and consultancy services for manufacturers, OEMs and service providers across the electronics supply chain, helping organisations maintain consistency, compliance and robust quality practices.
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
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.
TTC-LLC and TTCI: Smarter Training, Stronger Test at PCB East 2026
04/27/2026 | The Test Connection Inc.The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) and The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI) will be exhibiting together at PCB East 2026, taking place April 28–May 1 at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Attendees can find both teams at Booth #103 during the main exhibition day on Wednesday, April 29.
Building Industry-ready Talent Through Standards-based Education
04/27/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationRecently, Sichuan Modern Vocational College organized 132 students to complete IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) training and certification.
Roundtable: Data Protection Lays the Groundwork for Cybersecurity Strategies
05/04/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007This multi-expert roundtable explores cybersecurity measures specific to electronics manufacturing. NEC’s Watanabe Hiroyuki, Divyash Patel, CEO of MX2 Technologies, and Ali Pabrai, CEO at EC First, join moderator Nolan Johnson for a deeper discussion on cybersecurity certifications.