Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1193979
40 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2019 Feature Interview by the I-Connect007 Editorial Team The I-Connect007 Editorial Team recently spoke with Stephan von Bargen and Hüseyin Anac, both of NCAB Group's Munich office, during AltiumLive in Frankfurt. They discussed the European market, as well as how they sup- port their customer base in Europe and deter- mine when it's the right time for moving pro- duction to Asia. Andy Shaughnessy: Nice to meet you both. Stephan, can you give us a quick background of the company and the Munich office? Stephan von Bargen: We are an integrated PCB producer, which, in practice, means that we work closely with both our customers and our factories. We do not own our factories, but we "own" what is most important: the relationship and process with both custom- er and factory. We have a big team in China, where most of our PCBs are produced, and we are on-site at the factories to secure high- quality factory performance and delivery pre- cision. Our Munich office is one of many lo- cal offices worldwide. By being local, we can support our customers with service and tech- nical expertise in their local language on their terms. Barry Matties: When you deal with the cus- tomers here in Europe, what requirements or trends do you see in this market? Hüseyin Anac: Designers often ask for proto- types and if we can provide quick turnaround PCBs from our factories in the U.K. and in Southern Europe. Designers want to have the board in two or three days. This is possible, depending on the technology of the board. It's not possible in three or five days if the factory is in the Far East. The huge advantage of work- ing with us is that you get the boards from the beginning out of the serial fabrication plant; the material, stackup, and panalization will be the same as the prototypes. PCB Manufacturing From a European Perspective Stephan von Bargen Hüseyin Anac