News for Panel Builders

Marc Villeneuve Announced as New President & CEO of WECO

Marc Villeneuve Announced as New President & CEO of WECO

WECO is pleased to announce Marc Villeneuve as its new President and CEO, effective February 1st, 2025. Marc succeeds Michel Alary, who has served as President & CEO since 2021. Michel joined WECO in 2012 as Supply Chain Director and was appointed VP Global Operations in 2015, overseeing global manufacturing, supply chain strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives. Under his leadership, WECO achieved best-in-class safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance across three operating units.

Wieland Machine Safety Webinar: Navigating the New ANSI Standard B11.TR11 for CE-Marking Compliance of Machinery
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Wieland Machine Safety Webinar: Navigating the New ANSI Standard B11.TR11 for CE-Marking Compliance of Machinery

This machine safety webinar reviews ANSI B11.0 Technical Report 11 (TR11) which presents a strategy and approach on how to CE mark machinery using ANSI consensus standards. This allows machine manufacturers to meet the European Union’s Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) in the Machinery Directive (MD). The Machinery Directive is a European Union (EU) law that sets safety standards for machinery.

OMRON Automation to Showcase Latest AI-Driven AOI Technology at IPC APEX 2025

OMRON Automation to Showcase Latest AI-Driven AOI Technology at IPC APEX 2025

OMRON Automation Americas is set to exhibit at IPC APEX 2025, held at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 18 to March 20. Attendees are encouraged to explore the latest advancements in SMT manufacturing technology in booth #2900 and #2910. OMRON will present its new AI-powered Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) features designed to enhance the SMT manufacturing process.

RS Offers Next-Generation Terminal Blocks from Phoenix Contact
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RS Offers Next-Generation Terminal Blocks from Phoenix Contact

RS now offers Phoenix Contact’s growing line of terminal blocks equipped with its innovative Push-X connection technology, which is tested and proven to facilitate wired connections that are user-friendly, flexible, durable, reliable, repairable, and safe. Connectivity is at the core of all electrical and electronic technologies. But it plays a particularly vital role in facilitating the effective operation of the densely interconnected and automated Industry 4.0 technologies that are essential to overcoming common industrial market challenges, including unplanned downtime, new safety and sustainability demands, and cost constraints.

SCHURTER Partners with Hughes-Peters to Expand Distribution Reach

SCHURTER Partners with Hughes-Peters to Expand Distribution Reach

SCHURTER is pleased to announce it’s partnership with Hughes-Peters, a prominent distributor in the industrial electronics sector. This collaboration will enable SCHURTER to broaden its distribution network and further strengthen its presence in key markets. Through their renewed relationship, Hughes-Peters will distribute SCHURTER’s high-quality range of components, including fuses, circuit protection devices, connectors, and switches, to customers.

Bill Fowler Elected to Represent Southwire on the Independent Electrical Contractors Board of Directors

Bill Fowler Elected to Represent Southwire on the Independent Electrical Contractors Board of Directors

Bill Fowler, Southwire’s Manager of Business Development and eMobility Infrastructure Solutions, was recently elected to serve on the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Board of Directors. The IEC association represents over 4,100 merit shop-based contractor members and trains over 17,000 apprentices each year to become electricians. Merit shop electrical contractors perform two-thirds of all electrical work in the industry each year.

OMRON Announces ATS Corporation as a Certified Systems Integrator Partner

OMRON Announces ATS Corporation as a Certified Systems Integrator Partner

OMRON has welcomed ATS Corporation (ATS) as the newest partner in its Certified Systems Integrator program. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, and operating in the United States of America, ATS is a global automation and technology company supporting customers across various industries, including Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Energy, Consumer Products, and Transportation.

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RS Drives Digitalization and Integration in Process Manufacturing

RS offers an expansive selection of digitalization and integration solutions engineered to boost efficiency and productivity in the process manufacturing industry. In addition to pervasive industrial market challenges, including unplanned downtime, skilled labor shortages, and supply chain interruptions, process manufacturers contend with stringent safety, tracking, and tracing requirements and a variety of environmental hazards, including extreme temperatures, high-pressure washdowns, and chemical exposure.

Hammond Manufacturing Announces Partnership with Tech-Reps to Expand Rack Mounting Solutions Representation

Hammond Manufacturing Announces Partnership with Tech-Reps to Expand Rack Mounting Solutions Representation

Hammond Manufacturing is pleased to announce its new partnership with Tech-Reps (www.tech-reps.net), a major manufacturers’ representative firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. This collaboration will enhance Hammond’s presence across Missouri, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa by leveraging Tech-Reps’ extensive industry expertise and regional market knowledge. Tech-Reps has built a strong reputation for delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and providing exceptional support to customers in the telecommunications, data center, and industrial sectors.

NOARK And Orion Innovation Brighten Up the Electrical Horizon in Wisconsin, U.P. of Michigan and Rocky Mountain Region

NOARK And Orion Innovation Brighten Up the Electrical Horizon in Wisconsin, U.P. of Michigan and Rocky Mountain Region

In January of 2025, Orion Innovation Partners, Inc. was formed as the amalgamation and evolution of Mercer Midwest, a business that originated in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan, and now also serves the Rocky Mountain region ((Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho), following their merger with RM Elec Spec.

Southwire Announces New EVP, Promotions on Executive Leadership Team

Southwire Announces New EVP, Promotions on Executive Leadership Team

Southwire is pleased to announce upcoming changes to its executive leadership team, including the addition of two new executive leaders. To better equip the business to respond to market needs, two new executive leadership positions, Executive Vice President (EVP), Residential and Commercial Group, and EVP, Utility and Industrial Group, have been created. Additionally, the position of EVP of Operational Excellence will become EVP of Operations with expanded responsibilities. These three positions report through the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Norman Adkins.

Emerson to Acquire Remaining Outstanding Shares of AspenTech

Emerson to Acquire Remaining Outstanding Shares of AspenTech

Emerson and Aspen Technology, Inc. have recently announced that they have reached an agreement under which Emerson will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of AspenTech not already owned by Emerson for $265.00 per share pursuant to an all-cash tender offer. The transaction values the minority stake being acquired at $7.2 billion, and values the total company at a fully diluted market capitalization of $17.0 billion with an enterprise value of $16.8 billion. Emerson currently owns approximately 57% of AspenTech’s outstanding shares of common stock following Emerson’s 55% majority investment completed in 2022. Upon the closing of the transaction, AspenTech will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerson.

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Schneider Electric Executive Aamir Paul Named to National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors

Recently, Schneider Electric and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), announced the election of Aamir Paul, President of North America Operations for Schneider Electric, to NAM’s Board of Directors. Executives on the NAM Board, which comprises leaders representing companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, are the driving force behind the organization’s efforts. In his capacity, Aamir will join leaders from businesses like General Motors, Dow Inc., Northrup Grumman, Johnson & Johnson, Intel, and Fluor, to bolster the association’s energy, sustainability, and industrial expertise, helping to shape policy advocacy, legal action, workforce solutions, and operational excellence.

ABB and Wieland Electric Partner To Redefine Efficiency in Modular Construction

ABB and Wieland Electric Partner To Redefine Efficiency in Modular Construction

ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division and Wieland Electric have recently announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize modular and serial construction with advanced prefabricated electrical installation systems. The collaboration combines Wieland’s innovative connector technology with ABB’s extensive portfolio – including switches, sockets, installation boxes, energy distribution, and smart home solutions – to deliver plug-and-play electrical installation for greater efficiency in modular and serial construction projects.

NOARK Launches a 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy to Foster a Diversified Future
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NOARK Launches a 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy to Foster a Diversified Future

This month, NOARK Electric joins their parent company, the CHINT Group, a global smart energy solutions provider, in unveiling their global 2030 sustainable development strategy, marking a milestone in their commitment to building a diversified future. The strategy was launched in collaboration with thousands of supply chain partners and Chief Sustainability officers (CSOs) of the Group’s key subsidiaries.

RS Welcomes Abhishek Singh as New VP of Margin Management, Pricing, & Procurement

RS Welcomes Abhishek Singh as New VP of Margin Management, Pricing, & Procurement

RS has recently welcomed Abhishek Singh — an expert in commercial transformations, go-to-market strategy, sales excellence, pricing and segmentation, and capability building — to the executive leadership team as the new Vice President of Margin Management, Pricing, and Procurement. Abhishek brings more than 16 years of experience in consumer analytics, advanced statistical modeling, pricing and procurement, and corporate strategy for the manufacturing and distribution industry to his new role.