KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries and Magnalytix, industry leader in providing real-time reliability solutions are excited to announce that Dr. Mike Bixenman, co-founder, current CTO and Chairman Emeritus of KYZEN and Subject Matter Expert – Cleaning and Reliability for Magnalytix, has been recognized by SMTA as the recipient of the organization’s 2026 Founder’s Award.
The SMTA Founder’s Award is presented to SMTA members who have made significant long-term contributions to the industry while maintaining continued support and service to the organization.
“We are extremely proud of Mike Bixenman and his recognition with the SMTA Founder’s Award,” said Kyle Doyel, KYZEN co-founder and CEO, “Mike’s importance as an expert voice in the electronics industry and his foundational role in the establishment and growth of KYZEN from our earliest days can’t be overstated and, on behalf of our whole KYZEN team, we congratulate Mike for this well-deserved honor.”
Bixenman has more than three decades of experience in the electronics manufacturing industry and serves as a subject matter expert in electronics reliability. He has been and remains active in developing industry standards and has either published or jointly published hundreds of technical papers and presentations that have been given around the world. A proud continuous learner, Bixenman holds four degrees including an Associate of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate in Business Administration.
“By his nature, Mike is a teacher,” said the SMTA member who nominated Bixenman for the Founder’s Award, “Presenting and publishing technical articles is one way he serves but he also visits and educates at companies all around the world. ‘Sharing Technical Knowledge’ [according to the mission of SMTA] is what he does best.”
In addition to his role with KYZEN, Bixenman co-founded Magnalytix in 2021 and has led the growth of the company specializing in providing real-time reliability solutions to electronics manufacturers through industry-leading SIR testing services.
Bixenman will officially receive the 2026 SMTA Founder’s Award at SMTA International in the awards ceremony during the SMTA Recognition Dinner scheduled for Monday, October 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
About KYZEN
KYZEN is a global leader in providing environmentally responsible, RoHS compliant precision cleaning chemistries for industries ranging from electronics and advanced packaging to metal finishing and aerospace applications. Since its founding in 1990, KYZEN’s innovative cleaning technologies, scientific expertise and customer support have been repeatedly recognized with the industry’s most prestigious awards.
About Magnalytix
Magnalytix is at the forefront of an ongoing revolution in cleanliness reliability testing, bringing a new level of consistency and confidence to manufacturers and OEMs. Components are getting smaller and smaller, and electronics are playing a greater-than-ever role in our daily lives. Reliability matters more than ever. In today’s miniaturized manufacturing environment, precision cleaning process reliability is critical. And with products from medical devices to military weapons to self-driving automobiles, reliable electronics can be the difference between life and death. Now is the time and Magnalytix is ready with game-changing solutions that run in real-time in your process, on the factory floor.
