Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1236528
86 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2020 The projects still move forward, so that's the fulfilling piece of it is that this is a global world- wide sales challenge. People have stepped up. They have found ways to continue to get their work done. We're not on vacation. People are working from home, and they're working. The standards efforts are important enough to de- serve the attention, or they show through their participation that the standards efforts deserve their attention and that they are contributing their expertise in support of electronics manu- facturing. That has been something very fulfill- ing to see. Matties: Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with our listeners? Rowe: I just wish everyone well and hope that everyone stays safe, and we'll all get through this together. Matties: Great. Those are great words to end on. Thank you both so much for taking the time to share. Your insights are greatly appre- ciated. Once again, you've been listening to Dave Bergman and Teresa Rowe of IPC. PCB007 Electronics manufacturer ControlTek Inc. announced its Vancouver, Washington, manufacturing facility would remain open while implementing additional safety mea- sures to maintain production support for critical manu- facturing sectors, including medical and military. ControlTek has been designated a critical supplier of medical and aerospace and defense (ASD) products by the Washington Military Department, Emergency Man- agement Division (EMD). The company has been working closely with its medical customers to assist with supply chain challenges and ramp up the production of critical care devices. According to IPC, as many as 69% of manu- facturers have experienced or expect to experience de- lays due to the virus. "Right now, our main focus is on supporting our cus- tomers and employees, as well as keeping a close eye on the supply chain, so we are ready and able to quickly ad- dress any disruptions that as a result of COVID-19 related closures and delays," says Sean Neill, VP of operations. In addition to assisting current customers, ControlTek is also offering help for EMS companies needing assistance during the crisis, whether they need help bringing on ad- ditional capacity to meet the urgent demand for medical products or finding new sourcing solutions for hard to find components. "When this began, it caused supply chain delays across Asia that exacerbated earlier challenges resulting from last year's tariffs," says Neill. "That's the bad news. The good news is that we've spent much of last year work- ing to diversify our supply chain so that we are better pre- pared to meet these challenges head-on." To maintain the safety of staff during operation, Con- trolTek has taken proactive measures to protect custom- ers and staff and to limit the impact of business disrup- tion. This includes employee training, remote working expansion, and closing the facility to outside visitors. The manufacturing floor has also been updated to provide greater social distancing, as well as staggering breaks and shifts to decrease contact between staff. "Our employees are doing an amazing job, and we are incredibly grateful for their contribution," says ControlTek Principal Stacey Smith. "Their work to build these prod- ucts that directly support the COVID-19 relief effort is nothing short of Herculean, and they do it all while caring for their own families in an uncertain time." ControlTek is a family-owned and operated Service Dis- abled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). The com- pany provides a full range of custom electronics design and manufacturing services for the defense, military, aerospace, and aviation industries. ControlTek Inc., Critical Manufacturer of Medical and Aerospace and Defense Products, Will Maintain Operations