Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1042925
42 FLEX007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2018 our customers. In addition, we've invested in equipment to support our Maxi-Flex extended length flexible circuit capabilities. Matties: What sort of lead times are people expecting these days? Keithly: It depends on the product and appli- cation, but we pride ourselves on a rapid response of getting a specification or helping the customer in the design process, turning in a quote in 24-48 hours and then manufac- turing capability within two to three weeks. This can't be done on every possible design or configuration, but it's a rule of thumb that we strive to achieve. Matties: At All Flex, are you doing bare board fabrication alone or do you offer assembly as well? Keithly: We also have a value- added business where we'll take the flex circuit and include assem- bly capability with our surface- mount lines to add components, connectors, leads, and various assembly capability within our business. We continue to see that capability grow in importance as more customers have an interest in letting their supply base do that work for them. For our business—as far as what amount has additional value beyond the actual flex circuits—a high percentage requires additional assembly work for our customers. Matties: There are a lot of shortages going on in the supply chain. You've only been at All Flex for a few weeks, but how is the supply chain being managed and are you feeling an impact with component shortages? Keithly: I've heard of shortages in the indus- try, but we have not had significant disrup- tions impacting our business. We continue to work with our suppliers closely and make sure we understand the supply chain trends. With my background in electronics, I've seen lead times well beyond a year on components, so we try to stay close with our customers on their requirements and what they're expecting. We're going through the planning process for 2019 right now by attempting to provide that visibility to our supply base. Matties: You're coming in as the new president and CEO, so you must be either setting a new culture here or carrying on a culture. Could you talk more about the culture that you're bringing as a leader of the company? Keithly: Most of my career has focused on the customer side of the business including mar- keting and sales, and more recently, more of the general management side with the other functional areas of the organization. The culture here is very customer focused, and regardless of who you're talking to in the organization and which department you're in, there's an interest in understanding what the customer's expectations are and collaborating across the vari- ous departments to work together to meet those customer require- ments. Fortunately for me, we have a strong culture already in place. As we continue to grow, I think the question will be, "How do we main- tain that culture to make sure we can continue to support the customers—with a differen- tiator on our responsiveness and attention to lead time—to make sure we have the capacity and resources in place to maintain that value proposition?" As of today, it's a matter of what additional investments do we need to make and how do we continue to grow and plan our growth to keep the culture in place. Matties: Every leader comes in with their own style. What sort of management style are you bringing to this company? Keithly: My style is open, accessible, and focused on customers. I've already spent time across the organization in communication meetings to cover all the shifts and meet with small work - Matt Keithly, new president and CEO at All Flex.