-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Mark Friedman on IPC Membership
January 23, 2019 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
I recently spoke with Mark Friedman, a member success advocate at IPC, about the current status of IPC’s membership programs, the recent growth they’ve seen, and some hidden benefits of IPC membership that potential members might not be considering.
Barry Matties: Mark, you’re a member success advocate at IPC, and your function surrounds membership. Tell me a little bit about what that title means.
Mark Friedman: I support IPC’s membership, so if they have any issues or inquiries, I make sure that they get the responses they deserve. We have several programs that members might not be aware of, and I guide them to the appropriate individual who can help them out with their inquiries.
Matties: How long has this position been at the IPC?
Friedman: It’s been there for about three and a half years.
Matties: So, it’s a newer position.
Friedman: That’s correct. Management realized that a lot of our members weren’t getting the attention and support that they needed from a personal standpoint, so they created this position to enhance the member experience.
Matties: Is this a global function?
Friedman: Yes, we support members globally.
Matties: Great. Can you tell us about your background?
Friedman: I’m an electrical engineer with more than 30 years of sales experience in the semiconductor industry.
Matties: How did you find your way to the IPC?
Friedman: I had a colleague who worked with me in the semiconductor industry and he mentioned that there was a position open, so I applied and was offered the position.
Matties: Nice. Congratulations.
Friedman: Thank you.
Matties: In your role, what kinds of issues do members have that you can help them with?
Friedman: The interesting thing is a lot of members aren’t aware of all the services and programs that IPC offers. We expose them to different areas. For instance, they’ll have questions about certification, so we support them from our certification quality initiative (CQI) program. They’ll have questions on standards, so we support them with technical liaisons and experts who sit on committees and explain and interpret the standards from a practical standpoint.
Matties: How do you measure your success, and is there a metric of retention?
Friedman: Yes, renewal, retention, and new member acquisition are all metrics we track.
Matties: Let’s talk about renewals. Since this position has been established, have you experienced an increase in renewals?
Friedman: By supporting our members, we build relationships with them, gain their trust, and they realize that there’s someone internally to help them. They appreciate that and extend their membership.
Matties: Now, you mentioned oftentimes it’s just an education process to help them understand all of the value that the association brings. Why do you think they don’t know this up front?
Friedman: Members are singularly focused when they join IPC. The main thrust has been either standards or certification. We have other programs as well, such as market research, validation services, global advocacy efforts, and transportation solutions. We also have various membership initiatives that they’re not aware of.
Matties: You were talking about existing members, but certainly in your role, you’re also looking at increasing membership.
Friedman: We have about 4,800 member locations globally and growing that span the globe from China to Brazil and all points in between.
Matties: When you say locations, are you talking about factories or people?
Friedman: Facilities. We have two options when it comes to membership: conventional membership, which is based on location, and revenue-driven membership (Enterprise membership), which you can picture as a corporate membership based on global revenue. While conventional membership is site specific, revenue membership will incorporate all global locations of the member company.
The advantages are that, from an administrative standpoint, you’re dealing with a single invoice. Also, the duration of the membership is uniform throughout all locations. You don’t have to worry about one site expiring in February and another expiring in August. Additionally, now that all global locations are members, you have a uniform approach to standards and procedures that are governed by IPC standards.
To read the full article, which appeared in the December 2018 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: My Role as a Technology Solutions Director
05/02/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOPeter Tranitz, senior director of technology solutions at IPC, shares insights into his role as the design initiative lead. He details his advocacy work, industry support, and the responsibilities of the design initiative committee. The conversation also covers the revamping of standards, the IPC Design Competition, and the implementation of design rules in software tools.
HQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics Debut on the International Stage for Electronics Manufacture at IPC APEX 2024
05/01/2024 | PRNewswireHQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics, a leading Chinese-based multilayer PCB manufacturer and assembly house showcased its industrial prowess on the international stage for the first time at the IPC APEX Expo 2024.
IPC's Vision for Empowering PCB Design Engineers
04/30/2024 | Robert Erickson, IPCAs architects of innovation, printed circuit board designers are tasked with translating increasingly complex concepts into tangible designs that power our modern world. IPC provides the necessary community, standards framework, and education to prepare these pioneers as they explore the boundaries of what’s possible, equipping engineers with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic field.
North American EMS Industry Down 4% in March
04/29/2024 | IPCIPC announced the March 2024 findings from its North American Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.31.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: A Global Presence in PCB Manufacturing
04/29/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPORob DiGiovanni, VP of sales for the Americas at STARTEAM Global, discusses the company's global presence in PCB manufacturing. As he explains, the firm operates facilities across Europe, Asia, and North America, specializing in serving contract manufacturers in the automotive and medical industries. They emphasize quality and meeting OEM standards, focusing on offshore supply and non-Chinese factories in the North American market. The company has grown through acquisitions and rebranding to offer multiple products.