Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1467744
28 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 Feature interview by I-Connect007 Editorial Team Torsten Reckert and the team at all4-PCB have a uniquely broad view of what's happening in the industry. When we asked Reckert about the hottest areas for return on investment, his answers were insightful and sometimes surpris- ing. Readers will note that this conversation includes multiple references to Alex Stepinski and his approach to developing paradigm-shi- ing processes at GreenSource Fabrication LLC. Reckert worked closely with Stepinski during his time at GreenSource, and just as Reckert is an expert on the current market, Stepiniski is a thought leader on how to optimize processes, making his mention in a return-on-investment conversation particularly valuable. Nolan Johnson: From your perspective as a dis- tributor, what do you see as the industry's pain points? Torsten Reckert: e biggest pain point is auto- mation and mechanization, since we don't have access to people to operate the machines. If it's work process equipment, loading a machine, unloading a machine, any kind of process tool, the availability of personnel is very difficult in most parts of North America. Chicago is a significant example. We have so many board shops that are very careful about automation equipment, but they can't hire people, so the topic of automation is very important. Surveying the Fab Landscape: Where to Find ROI