Connect the Dots: Stop Killing Your Yield—The Hidden Cost of Design Oversights
Global PCB Connections: A Field Engineer’s Perspective on the Top 10 Trends to Watch
Target Condition: Designing vs. Inventing
Thinking Out of the Box: Pacific Northwest EMS Manufacturer Employs Successful Strategies With IPC
October 15, 2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Allison and Chad Budvarson started Out of the Box Manufacturing, an EMS company in Renton, Washington, just one month after they were married in 2008. To stay competitive, they’ve utilized IPC’s workforce subscription and apprenticeship programs to train and maintain their staff.
Allison, could you give us a brief history of your company?
Allison Budvarson: Out of the Box Manufacturing specializes in PCBA, box build, and cable assembly. We offer quick turns and prototypes for aerospace and defense customers, which are not widely available. We also offer small- to mid-size or small- to mid-volume manufacturing for the commercial aerospace and defense industry. Chad is an engineer and our CEO. My focus is on talent development, and sales and marketing.
We want to employ a group of entrepreneurial-minded employees because we think that elevates the engagement of our staff, which in turn provides better service for our customers. We like to say we do the hard things fast and support our customers as they move into higher volumes or revisions as their product becomes more stable.
What factors influenced you to work with IPC?
Our relationship with IPC has evolved over the past several years. Initially, we saw IPC for its standards. But when I started attending the EMS Leadership Summit at APEX EXPO, I realized there was so much more to IPC, which opened more doors for us, creating growth and partnership opportunities I didn't realize were possible. For one, I like having frank conversations with EMS owners from other areas of the country, and I’m not worried they will steal my “secret sauce.”
It’s nice to know that we’re not alone in our struggles as business owners. I’m still a fairly young owner, so it helps to pick the brains of those who have been in the business for much longer. Tapping into that industry experience has been phenomenal.
To read the rest of this article, which appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of IPC Community, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Raymond E. Pritchard IPC Hall of Fame Award: Peter Bigelow
04/04/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007IPC’s most prestigious award honors an individual’s long-term distinguished service and contributions to IPC and the electronics manufacturing industry. Peter Bigelow is president of FTG Circuits in Haverhill, Mass., focusing on the military, RF/microwave, and aerospace markets. He also has extensive experience in general management, marketing, operations, and sales with large publicly traded and privately held manufacturing companies in the printed circuit, electronics, and instrumentation industries.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Axxon — Leading Innovations in Dispensing Technology
04/04/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOAxxon-Myronic showcases its four major divisions this year, highlighting their focus on dispensing technology and conformal coating for electronics. Jeff Leal, Director of Business Development and Strategy, explains how his company is expanding into North America, particularly in Mexico and Europe, backed by a strong customer service model.
Statement from IPC on ‘Liberation Day’ Pressing for Domestic Manufacturing Strategy
04/03/2025 | IPCIPC, a global electronics association dedicated to furthering the competitive excellence and financial success of more than 3,200 members, shared the following statement today on U.S. tariffs and their implications on the global electronics industry. It can be attributed to Richard Cappetto, IPC senior director of North American government affairs:
My Top 10 Highlights from IPC APEX EXPO 2025
04/03/2025 | Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, Global Government RelationsEvery year, I am reminded what an exciting and fast-paced whirlwind IPC APEX EXPO is—the friends you run into, the new people you meet, the innovations you encounter, and the fascinating discussions you dive into. It’s certainly true that our industry is driven by searchers and problem-solvers, creating endless opportunities at APEX EXPO to connect, collaborate, and shape the future.
Winners of 2025 IPC Masters Competition China Announced
04/02/2025 | IPCOn March 26-28, the IPC Masters Competition China was successfully held in Pudong, Shanghai. This year’s competition brought nearly 500 electronics industry elites from 18 provinces and municipalities.