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Summit Interconnect is one of the two largest PCB fabricators in the United States. I visited with Deepak Makwana, general manager of Summit’s Chicago plant, Business Development Manager Tom Veitch, and Vice President of Technology Gerry Partida at their Schaumberg, Illinois (Summit Chicago) facility to learn more about the evolution of PCB manufacturing in the Midwest. They highlight not only Summit’s comprehensive solutions through the Chicago facility, but the remarkable transition in Chicago and the Midwest from conventional manufacturing and the Rust Belt to becoming the “Silicon Prairie.”
Marcy LaRont: Good morning, gentlemen. Let’s start with some background and history around manufacturing in the Midwest. While there has been a significant amount of PCB fabrication in Chicago for some time, it may have traditionally been characterized as less sophisticated manufacturing.
Tom Veitch: Yes, I grew up in the Midwest, and the whole tradition of Midwest manufacturing was rooted in heavy machinery—automotive and steel-related industries.
The Midwest has long been defined by its manufacturing tradition. Historically, the region was rooted in heavy machinery, automotive, and steel industries – at one point accounting for approximately one-third of all manufacturing jobs in the United States. The technology of that era primarily supported lower-tech industries, while higher-tech work was concentrated on the East and West coasts. As globalization accelerated and cost rose, many manufacturing jobs left the U.S., giving rise to the “Rust Belt” label. This shift forced the Midwest manufacturing paradigm to evolve.
To continue reading this interview, which originally appeared in the November 2025 edition of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
