Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1212069
128 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2020 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE David Tuza: The show wasn't bad. Foot traffic was pretty decent for most of the part. There's a lot of new equipment and products here, and a lot of new equipment manufacturers, so it's very educational. Dack: Speaking of education, did you see the high school STEM students walking around? Tuza: Yes. That's the first time I've ever seen a large group of kids touring the show floor, and that's really important for this industry because our pipeline needs to be fed. _______________________ Nili Walp Vision Engineering, Marketing Manager, North America Nolan Johnson: What have been your impressions of IPC APEX EXPO 2020? Nili Walp: There weren't as many people on the floor, but we exceeded the number of leads. I don't know why. Also, weather-wise, the tem- peratures have been cold in San Diego. Overall, it didn't feel as busy, but yet we've done well. Johnson: But you're going home with more than before, so at least the leads are quality. What did you hear customers talking about? Walp: We're looking for customers with inspec- tion issues, where they want to improve their current process, and a lot of them want some- thing that's more comfortable. This one guy said, "I see my people on the floor, and their necks and backs hurt." Our systems offer that eyepiece that's an ergonomic solution; it's about different methods of inspection. Johnson: If you had one thing to suggest to make the show better, what would that be? Walp: The last day is always hard. People leave early, and I don't know how you keep them here. Maybe extend talks throughout the last day and have it end at 5:00 p.m. instead of 2:00 p.m. to keep people here. _______________________ Brian Wojtkiewicz Taiyo America, Western Regional Sales Manager Nolan Johnson: How has IPC APEX EXPO 2020 gone for you? Brian Wojtkiewicz: It was pretty good, but I have seen better from this show. It was pretty light on customers this year attendance-wise from what we saw in previous years. That's kind of disappointing, but I'm not sure what the cause is. Johnson: What are your customers interested in? Wojtkiewicz: Currently, everyone is looking for a lot of stuff on inkjet solder mask, digi- tal imaging information, and legend inks. It's pretty exciting. Johnson: If they're looking for that, that usu- ally means they're also looking for new equip- ment. Wojtkiewicz: We're a solder mask manufac- turer, so the focus is on the brand new solder masks that come out and the new technology on that. Johnson: Are you coming away with good feedback as far as what customers are looking for moving forward? Wojtkiewicz: It seems they are all pursuing digi- tal imaging; whether it's direct imaging expo- sure or inkjet solder mask, they're all going that direction, and it's not just the big cus- tomers; small customers are doing the same. They're investing money, which is good. New investment is what has been lacking for a cou- ple of years. S&T