Elevating Fabrication: Investing in High-tech Equipment, Processes, and Labor

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Aidan Salvi is the chief transformation officer for Amitron. As such, he’s visited fabricators in North America, Europe, and Asia in the past few years, and he’s had a ringside seat to the challenges and opportunities facing fabricators around the globe. The I-Connect007 editorial team asked Aidan to share his economic outlook for PCB manufacturing as we head into 2024 and beyond. As he points out, companies are opening their pocketbooks to invest, particularly in high-tech processes.

Nolan Johnson: Aidan, I know that you’ve visited a number of facilities lately, domestic and abroad, and we’d like to hear your economic outlook for the industry going into 2024. Are PCB fabricators investing now, and should they be investing? And if they are, are they borrowing money? If you're a manufacturer, what should you be worried about going forward?

Aidan Salvi: Certainly. I have a wealth of insights to offer on this topic. It has been truly enlightening for me, especially considering my extensive travels across various parts of the world. Earlier this year, I explored Europe, visiting numerous countries and diverse facilities in Germany, Italy, and other European nations. The experiences there were markedly distinct from what I observed during my recent visit to Asian markets. While there are commonalities across regions, as a North American manufacturer, gaining a global perspective has proven to be exceptionally insightful.

Andy Shaughnessy: How would you describe the board market today?

Salvi: The PCB market is indeed experiencing a noticeable softening, and this observation stems from various angles, including customers grappling with excess inventory and expressing concerns about the economic outlook both in North America and globally. The unique perspective emerging in the North American market involves customers seeking companies with a more global footprint and the ability to scale effectively in North America and elsewhere to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions into the future.

To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the December 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.