Industry associations formalize collaboration at Canada’s premier event for development of the printable, flexible & wearable electronics

Toronto, Canada—May 25, 2017—The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (http://www.cpeia-acei.ca) and SEMI | FlexTech (www.semi.org; www.flextech.org) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support each other’s programs and drive the continued development and adoption of printable, flexible hybrid, and wearable electronics (PE and FHE).

The announcement was made at CPES2017, taking place this week at Centennial College’s new Conference Centre in Toronto. CPES2017 is Canada’s premier conference and trade show for PE.

SEMI connects more than 2,000 member companies and more than a quarter-million professionals worldwide to advance the science and business of electronics manufacturing. FlexTech, a SEMI strategic partner, focuses on the growth, profitability and success of flexible hybrid electronics by providing industry leadership, developing and sponsoring educational forums, directing R&D funding, and advocating for technology.

“The growth and prosperity of Canada’s PE industry rests with forging alliances and cultivating opportunities beyond our borders,” said Peter Kallai, President and CEO of the CPEIA. “By teaming with SEMI | FlexTech, we can leverage complementary strengths and broaden the pool of resources each organization needs to further its mandate. This is our first agreement with another PE industry association and we are pleased to have achieved it with our neighbor. It makes a lot of sense to work with FlexTech and connect our supply chains given the proximity of our members.”

“Global cooperation is key to advancing the industry’s interests and we are impressed by the efforts in Canada over the past three years to unite and grow their PE industry,” said Michael Ciesinski, President of FlexTech. “Peter and his team are making great strides to put Canada on the flexible electronics map and we look forward to building bridges for partnership and collaboration between the CPEIA membership and ours.”

The Memorandum of Understanding is a non-financial commitment between the two organizations to collaborate on a several key initiatives on an ongoing basis. These include participation in technical working groups and educational events such as webinars, technical seminars and conferences.

About CPES2017

With 30+ speakers and over 120 organizations in attendance, CPES2017 is Canada’s premier meeting ground for technology developers, industrial companies and end-users to discuss how they can work together to commercialize new products and applications for printable, flexible and wearable electronics. Academic researchers can showcase their research and discover how they can link it to market needs and opportunities.

New this year, CPES2017 features a third day of optional programming to help address the commercialization and scale up challenges facing the sector’s many early-stage and mid-sized companies. The day features a Financing Panel to help companies engage with private and government funding sources, and Mentoring Sessions for startups, where they can tap into the support they need to rise to the next level.

In addition, CPES2017 is the home of the CPES Innovation Awards, which recognize Research Innovation, Industrial Commercialization and our Startup of the Year.

Visit www.cpes2017.ca to learn more.

About CPEIA

Established in 2014, the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) is the vital leader that brings together key Canadian and international players in industry, academia and government to build a strong Canadian printable, flexible and wearable electronics sector and ecosystem. The Association is the united voice for the sector and implements critical development strategies to facilitate growth through networking, stimulate R&D and investment, build a strong supply chain and drive the broad adoption of PE by end customers in a range of Canadian industries, including Intelligent Packaging, Intelligent Buildings, Aerospace and Defence, Automotive and Industrial Applications, Health and Wellness, Intelligent Documents, and Consumer Electronics and Wearables. To become a Member of the CPEIA, please contact Peter Kallai, President and CEO, at pkallai@cpeia-acei.ca or +1 613-795-8181. The CPEIA also has opportunities for corporate and media sponsorships of our programs and events.

About SEMI

SEMI® connects nearly 2,000 member companies and 250,000 professionals worldwide annually to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members grow, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About FlexTech

FlexTech, a SEMI Strategic Association Partner, is focused on growth, profitability, and success throughout the manufacturing and distribution chain of flexible hybrid electronics, by developing solutions for advancing these technologies from R&D to commercialization. Visit FlexTech at www.flextech.org and follow FlexTech on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Association Contacts

Leo Valiquette
Director of Programs, CPEIA
Email: lvaliquette@cpeia-acei.ca
Phone: +1 613-769-9479.

Heidi Hoffman
Senior Director, FlexTech | SEMI
Email: hhoffman@semi.org
Phone: +1.408.943.7954