Reed Exhibitions is set to continue NEPCON’s commitment to inform, educate and unite the electronics industry in China with the announcement of an important cooperation with SMT Home, the country’s largest online SMT community. The SMT Home Discussion Group was first launched in 2000 to create a 365-day platform from which the industry can network and promote brands and products effectively, in support of the printed circuit assembly technology industry.

Reed Exhibitions’ extensive knowledge of the electronics industry and the enormous respect for the global NEPCON brand will ensure its continued growth and increased popularity as a powerful industry resource. Joint promotions are already being planned to include the NEPCON Best Engineer Award and privileges for SMT Home members visiting the NEPCON events.

With a growing membership of 160,000, SMT Home represents the longest running forum for lively and stimulating debates on topics covering printed circuit assembly process, shop floor control, equipment, testing, chip on board, quality, management, dedicated RoHS lead-free and wave soldering related topics. If it is happening in the industry today it can be found at SMT Home, with over 110,000 key industry topics hosted every day. Offering a real synergy with the NEPCON events, SMT Home also encourages the development of individuals by the sharing and gaining of knowledge, whilst at the same time provides an unprecedented opportunity to be a part of the entire electronics community. This level of unity not only improves an individual’s performance, it also helps businesses to develop and in turn boosts China’s ability to compete on the world stage.

With China’s online population reaching 210 million in 2007 and 25 percent sourcing products online, SMT Home provides a unique and cost-effective opportunity for suppliers to connect with this growing number of users. Indium Corporation supports SMT Home. “NEPCON Exhibitions and SMT Home play vital roles in Indium Corporation’s communications with the China market. While NEPCON exhibitions are, primarily, a place for us to ‘talk’ to the marketplace, SMT Home is, primarily, a place for us to ‘listen’ to the needs of the marketplace. This new partnership provides a comprehensive platform on which to build a China communications program”, said Rick Short, communication director of Indium.

SMT Home.net not only attracts engineers and decision-makers from China but around the world, including Taiwan, USA, Hong Kong, UK, Germany, Canada, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. To take part, visit http://www.smthom.net/.