Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1236528
80 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2020 Matties: Interesting. Weiner: The critical effect of a global supply chain is really what has become quite evident here. Because of the supply chain, all of the materials, boards, circuits, and assemblies of what we use in everyday life are truly global. And no one country is totally independent of it—save possibly China, and we know what happened there. Matties: In large part, the shortage of medical devices is what's keeping our industry very busy right now. What do you see around that? Weiner: I see a tremendous effort by America's printed circuit manufacturers, their assembly companies, and OEMs, to quickly rise to the occasion and produce not only test kits for finding the virus—in the way Abbott Labora- tories and others quickly came up with quick solutions or short-term solutions to find out if someone has been affected—but the con- struction of the ventilators, which is a rath- er complex piece of equipment, rebounded quickly. But what was surprising to me is that no one agency of the government had any record as to who was capable of producing ventilators quickly and marshalling all the forces to put it together. For example, asking GM to pro- duce it quickly—when there are a number of EMS companies that are better equipped to do this—was surprising to me. And it was surpris- ing to me that no one had brought this for- ward quickly enough. However, IPC—under the leadership of Dr. John Mitchell—has really risen to the challenge and pointed out how to fix the problem, share solutions, share equip- ment, share parts, and keep things going in a way that was totally unexpected. It has shown what IPC can do in an emergency to help ev- eryone everywhere. Matties: What lessons do you think our indus- try has learned or needs to learn? Weiner: Our industry has learned that we need to share a number of pieces of information and facilities and capabilities with each other, as we have often done in past decades through trade associations such as IPC. It's amazing how everyone has stepped forward and shared the solutions they have found and offered to help other companies—whether it's a quick- turn circuit for a ventilator, a test kit, or the availability of providing electrical test equip- ment for new pieces of equipment that are re- quired. It's interesting to see how the work- ers in our industries have stepped forward and gone to great lengths to put themselves at risk—24/7, in some factories—to solve the problems and keep the factories running and provide critical needs for the national emer- gency. Matties: Gene, we certainly appreciate your 50 years of industry experience and you taking the time today to share your thoughts with our listeners. Weiner: It's been a pleasure to share our expe- riences and what we learned with others, and that is part of the lessons that we've learned. Matties: Once again, you've been listening to Gene Weiner, the president and CEO of Wiener International Associates. PCB007 Because of the supply chain, all of the materials, boards, circuits, and assemblies of what we use in everyday life are truly global.