Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1219242
MARCH 2020 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 67 Beaulieu: You're providing what I would call a synergistic smooth solution with all three genres of design, fabrication, and assembly, all the way to box build, which is critical. I've worked with both assembly companies and board shops for a long time. That way, the de- signers think of the fabrication, and the fab- ricators think of the assembly, so it works to- gether as one smooth process. Companies are looking for that. In the old days, they were OEMs and had us there. They did it them- selves. Now, they look for us for development, like your company. Burkett: Exactly, and we always say we're cus- tomer-driven. That's very important. It started with flex and building our expertise there. We have done that for many years. Then, we got into the assembly side of this. But once you're building assemblies now to get to a box build, it's like, "What's the housing? What does this need to go into?" Packaging and all of our production are Asia-based, but we have the medical ISO 13485 certification and automo- tive certification. Also, our box builds are FDA registered. When you're doing those types of box builds, you're talking about having robust quality sys- tems in place and the traceability that's re- quired. The other thing is we do work with a lot of CMs and EMS customers. The fact that we have expertise in this arena helps us better serve them because we know the issues and challenges that they deal with in dealing with flex and doing assembly with flex. Beaulieu: They need your intelligence. Also, al- though you're a global company, the "brain trust" is in Minneapolis. Burkett: Minneapolis is our headquarters, and out of there, we support our U.S.-based and European customers with high-end application engineering support, helping with the design. We have our program managers, and custom- er support resources are there. We're the ones helping manage the process and working with our company, doing the communications, and leading the prototyping efforts. Once we go into production, there are different ways. We have a production blanket team that will man- age that process with a customer. We also have inventory, stocking programs, and warehous- ing to help make sure that we can take care of the customers, including just-in-time manufac- turing. Beaulieu: You offer a global solution with the ease of working with a domestic source. Burkett: Exactly. Beaulieu: How is the show going for you so far? Burkett: The show has been good. It's a great venue. Everybody in the industry is at the show. Beaulieu: One last thing as we wrap up. How do people get a hold of you? Burkett: They can go to our website at flexib- lecircuit.com or call us directly. Beaulieu: Carey, thanks for being with me to- day. I appreciate it. Burkett: Thank you, Dan. FLEX007 Click here to watch the full video.