Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
It’s Only Common Sense: Hire for Hunger, Train for Skill
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘The 'NVIDIA Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant’
TTM’s High Tech Expansion and Industry Innovation
April 30, 2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Tom Edman has been the CEO of TTM Technologies since 2014 and has an extensive background in electronics and manufacturing. TTM is a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, RF component and RF microwave microelectronics assemblies, and quick turn and advanced technology printed circuit boards.
In this interview, Tom discusses the decision-making behind TTM’s new ultra HDI PCB facility in Syracuse, New York, where the company already has a 160,000-square-foot RF microwave and microelectronics facility. He highlights TTM's commitment to innovation and meeting the dynamic demands of the industry, touches on the industry's need for supply chain resiliency and engagement with OEMs, and discusses what he finds most exciting about our industry right now.
Marcy LaRont: On its face, it would seem like Syracuse naturally pops to the top of the list for your expansion. What criteria did you use in your selection?
Tom Edman: We started with about 16 states as candidates, narrowed that down to 10 states for a more in-depth review, and then ended with two finalists. At the end of the day, it was much more than just a state incentive package. For us, it all starts with the quality of the people we can find in a particular area.
Both our RF microwave and microelectronics facility and our RF component facility are in the local area, which means we have the available infrastructure and a very strong engineering organization to help support the planning and the startup of this facility. The tipping point was the quality of the workforce and the infrastructure available, combined with very strong government support at the state and local levels. That convinced us Syracuse was the place for TTM to expand.
LaRont: As CEO, you are very plugged into advocacy efforts—Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called you himself to persuade you to build in New York. How has this type of activity affected your approach to business?
Edman: We really started our involvement in Washington, D.C., in 2018 because our critical customers in the commercial world were talking about the need for supply chain resiliency. As we surveyed our own footprint and future expansion plans, we quickly concluded that we needed a voice in Washington regarding the necessary infrastructure requirements to enhance microelectronics manufacturing technology and capacity in the U.S. and support our industry domestically. We’ve all watched as the world change, and so much of our business shifted to Asia. We realized that starting to reverse the offshoring trend and grow U.S microelectronics manufacturing would take incredible persistence, the support of our customers, and a set of incentives at the government level that reinforce the need for supply chain resiliency. The best way to create an environment for printed circuit board production in North America is to create a strong and resilient demand environment.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the April 2024 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Punching Out: How Many PCB Companies Are There in North America Now?
03/19/2026 | Tom Kastner -- Column: Punching Out!When I am asked how many PCB shops are still in the U.S., my answer is usually, “About 130. How many do you want to buy?” However, I do not really know the number. My job is either to sell PCB shops or help people buy them, not to count them. I probably should keep better track of them, but many are small (70% have revenue below $10 million), or they say they are making boards even if they rent out their facility as an auto repair shop.
Voyager Launches Center to Advance U.S. Space and National Security Capabilities
03/13/2026 | BUSINESS WIREVoyager Technologies announced a new facility in Long Beach, California – widely known as “Space Beach” – to expand the company’s ability to capture the significant demand signal across civil, national security and commercial space missions.
Ventec Expands Manufacturing Footprint with New Thailand Facility Supporting “China + Taiwan Plus One” Supply Chains
03/12/2026 | Ventec International GroupVentec International Group today provided an update on the progress of its new manufacturing facility in Thailand, which is scheduled to come on stream in Q2 2026, marking an important step in the company’s strategy to diversify global production and support customers seeking China & Taiwan plus one supply chain resilience.
Qnity Invests $61.5M in Advanced Semiconductor R&D and Manufacturing Facility
03/06/2026 | QnityQnity Electronics, Inc. announced the acquisition of a new facility in Taiwan, to accelerate capacity and support continued customer demand across the global semiconductor industry.
Federal Electronics Expands Nearshore Capacity with Additional PCBA Line in Hermosillo
02/26/2026 | Federal ElectronicsFederal Electronics, a leader in providing advanced electronic manufacturing services, has expanded its manufacturing capacity with the addition of an additional printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) line at its Hermosillo, Mexico facility. The expansion supports growing customer demand and increases nearshore capacity for high-reliability electronics programs.