Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1443477
18 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2022 Mitchell: How do European manufacturers ensure that these issues are addressed? Kelly: European manufacturers seem to have a systems-based approach. ey care about the electrical and mechanical design, and they talk to each other, so mistakes are not made. at impacts manufacturing and is a great concept of the full manufacturing cycle. Huprikar: I agree with Matt's observation. Europeans have embraced the systems integra- tion approach and are project management- minded about it. ey have a goal, and they work to obtain it by using the right players to ensure success. As a result, Europe has taken the leadership role on technologies in automo- tive, industrial, and medical. Mitchell: What can you tell me about Euro- pean influence in the automotive and med- ical industries? We certainly see many Euro- pean IPC members in leadership roles in our standards development committees in these areas. Huprikar: We have been fortunate to have com- panies like Bosch, Continental Automotive, Hella, BMW, and Volkswagen actively par- ticipating in IPC committees; and when one thinks about industrial and medical, well, Sie- mens is probably the most prominent name that comes to mind. Kelly: Yes, Siemens has a clear leadership role, and a drive to be competitive as well as the drive to say, "You know, we can still keep our top talent working in science and engineering, but to do that, we have to be the best at it." Ger- man engineering has been coined as a mark of quality success, and that says it all. Huprikar: German companies obviously have a strong reputation for engineering and high tech, but the French should not be overlooked. ey are industry leaders—ales, Airbus, Saf- ran, Schneider Electric, Alstom, and others heavily participate in IPC. Mitchell: How is Europe's workforce respond- ing to the dynamic changes of manufacturing? Huprikar: As with everyone else in the indus- try, they are struggling to find enough and the right kind of talent. ese challenges have driven IPC to develop critical educational content to meet the needs of the market. An example is a "Fundamentals of PCBA" course Sanjay Huprikar Matt Kelly