Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545206
S PEA is celebrating 50 years of test inno- vation, building on the vision of founder Luciano Bonaria, whose zero-failure philoso- phy continues to shape the company today. In this interview, Andrea Furnari, vice president of sales and marketing (based in Volpiano, Italy), and Dustin Warren, vice president and regional direc- tor (based in Dallas, Texas), reflect on that legacy while pointing to what's next, from expanding global support to new developments in AI-driven test and high-performance platforms. With a strong commitment to R&D and a growing presence close to customers worldwide, SPEA is positioning itself for the next phase of electronics manufacturing, where complexity, speed, and reli- ability are more critical than ever. Andrea, there's a lot to celebrate in 50 years. How did SPEA begin? Andrea Furnari: I would say it is a classic high- tech romantic story that starts in a garage. Luciano Bonaria, founder and president, started working in the electronics sector for General Electric in 1974. He recognized the historical moment—the birth of modern electronics—so he decided to create his own tester architecture to satisfy the huge demand for electronics at that time. 50 Years of Successful SPEA Testing Solutions BY N O L A N J O H N S O N , I - C O N N ECT 0 07 F E AT U R E A RT I C L E 24 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2026 Luciano Bonaria, 1986