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104 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2022 Editor's note: Indium Corporation's Ron Lasky continues this series of columns about Maggie Benson, a fictional character, to demonstrate continuous improvement and education in SMT assembly. In this installment, Maggie and John, new owners of Benson Electronics, are speak- ing with Professor Patty Coleman about adding more lines through an acquisition of Ivy Electron- ics. But, why is Patty down on Ivy Electronics? "Yikes! What is wrong with Ivy Electron- ics?" Maggie implored. "It would be easier to ask what is right with that flea bag company!" Patty exclaimed. "Can you be more specific?" John inquired, sheepishly. Patty paused, then said, "I'm sorry if I am speaking too negatively. When I worked with ACME, Mike Madigan (the CEO) asked me to perform an audit to see whether ACME should Can a Dirty Factory Be Fixed? buy Ivy Electronics. e conclusion was a re- sounding no. e equipment was worn out, the owner was abrasive and difficult to deal with, and the staff had little training and very poor morale." "From our preliminary analysis, none of this surprises us," Maggie said. "Well, then, why are you interested in buy- ing it?" Patty asked. "Our business is booming and even with our dramatic improvement in uptime, we are turning away business," John responded. "We could use the two lines that Ivy Electronics has to offer." "Just be careful," Patty said. "I would suggest a complete audit of their assembly equipment and the entire operation. Also, talk to the staff and look at the books. My sense is that the only way it could be a good deal is to get it for a low price." Maggie Benson's Journey by Ronald C. Lasky, INDIUM CORPORATION