Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1437606
DECEMBER 2021 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 47 I build a lab that will pro- vide better service more quickly? Matties: What would trig- ger a customer to request something, a service from you? Inocencio: It could be rou- tine testing, or they may have an issue where they rely on us to help them solve that issue. With our new products, we're working with customers to get their process set up to produce successfully with our material; a lot of times we will do the testing here to validate that their process parameters are yielding good results. Matties: Do customers know you offer these lab services? Inocencio: Yes, most know. We try to be as help- ful as possible. Also, our tech service managers will frequently bring me into customer calls so we can try to understand the best path forward and how I can help them. Matties: You have a lot of testing capabilities here that are nuanced, and customers might not be aware that you can do certain tests. E. Kelley: at's a really important point because we view ourselves not just as the supplier of the base material, but we want to be involved in helping our customers solve their problems. So, to the extent we can help them be success- ful, we all win. Matties: is is definitely an impressive lab. What would you do differently now that this is all set up? Inocencio: I would have celebrated harder. E. Kelley: It's not too late (laughs). As my tour continued, Walt Niziolek and his team guided me through the new production area with about 80,000 square feet dedicated to man- ufacturing. Walt joined Isola as the COO in early 2021, and shared that on his first day he faced a major supply chain challenge—a ship was block- ing the Suez Canal. Matties: Walt, what's your background? Walt Niziolek: I was a soldier for quite a few years. I used to jump out of airplanes for a living. Now I'm an engineer who has run operations in several industries, including automotive. Lab testing equipment. Isola analytical services workstation.