I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It is the last weekend before the much-celebrated Labor Day holiday, also known as the official end of summer. Though I am not yet ready for pumpkin spice lattes and heinously early Christmas decorations, I do relish the end of the heat. But the heat in our industry is not set to die down anytime soon, nor should it. Just about one month shy of the end of Q3 2024, things are looking positive for many industry members, so let’s make sure to keep the metaphorical pedal to the metal for a strong quarter-end and a great upcoming trade show season.

Looking at the news this week: Are you considering having an internship program in your facility? If it is even a thought in your mind, you will want to take some time with an article by IPC’s Victoria Hawkins, who talks about how to secure funding. There may even be some money in it for you. In other news, Mark Wolfe talks about what it takes to thrive, Alex Stepinski engenders hope with his model for a less expensive PCB start up to serve the mil-aero market (and everything else), and our friends at ICAPE Group discuss how to optimize your PCB design for cost. We close with M&A expert Tom Kastner, who gives us his review of the first half of 2024 when it comes to mergers and acquisitions of EMS and PCB shops.

How IPC Assists in Helping Fund Your Apprenticeship Program
Published August 19

Is workforce on your mind? No matter who you are, the answer is probably a resounding yes. Have you thought of starting an apprenticeship program or becoming a part of an existing program to bring young workers into your facility, work with them, train them, and possibly hire them? If you have not considered it, you should. IPC wants to help you obtain funding that is available for just such an endeavor. Read on, and then reach out directly to Victoria Hawkins. She’d love to talk to you.

Moving from Surviving to Thriving
Published August 19

Mark Wolfe candidly shares his perspective on what you must embrace to genuinely thrive. “It is centered around open, honest, transparent communication,” he says. “Commit to and trust that all parties want everyone to win (over the long term).” Mark provides a hit list of foundational principals and truths, and then dives more deeply into thriving in real life, setting expectations, investing in relationships and more.

A Less Expensive Defense and Aerospace PCB Fab Startup
Published August 20

According to Alex Stepinski, it is possible to build a new shop that can be mil-aero-qualified within a couple of years and the cost will surprise you. In this interview, Alex discusses his journey in due diligence and his experience building new shops all over the world to create a significantly less expensive, more sustainable (green) PCB start-up. “Investing in a new printed circuit board fabrication start-up is not for the faint of heart or the light of wallet,” he says, under any circumstances. But this interview provides some hope that things can be done differently and, perhaps, more companies can afford to play in the proverbial PCB sandbox.  

Cost-optimize Your PCB Design and Specifications
Published August 20

At the end of the day, it is always all about cost. Erik Pedersen and Richard Koensgen of ICAPE group discuss ways to optimize your PCB Design for cost. “Knowledge is the key to identifying the small details that make the difference for your printed circuit board,” they write. From the pitch of your BGA microchip to your material selection and necessary copper thicknesses, this is a valuable read.

North America PCB, EMS M&A Review: The First Six Months
Published August 21

Understandably, we all have our eyes on the market. Though it’s still believed to be relatively strong with decent activity and robust discussions around mergers and acquisitions, M&A-closed deals for the first half of 2024 were down from the same period in 2023. Tom cites many factors contributing to this, not the least of which was flat revenue for many PCB shops, something which appears now be ticking up. Life weighing in by way of the Summer Olympics and the impending fall presidential election in the United States also has its net effect. Read on for more incites and information.