Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1476200
34 PCB007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2022 We recently spoke with longtime I-Con- nect007 columnist Michael Carano, vice pres- ident of quality at Averatek, about pricing strategies for PCB fabricators. We're seeing some movement in this segment as fabrica- tors, already dealing with some of the tightest profit margins around, find themselves having to either raise their prices or trying to massage more revenue out of their already streamlined processes. We asked Michael for some pricing strategies for fabricators, and he shared a range of options for today's manufacturers who aren't afraid to rethink their processes and try new ideas. And, as he says, people will still pay good money for a quality, reliable PCB. Nolan Johnson: Let's talk about pricing strate- gies for fabricators. What are you seeing? Michael Carano: Let's step back and think about the price per square inch, or the selling cost. For example, with substrates, people are talk- ing about paying $6 per metal square inch per layer, and that's pretty darn good money. Now the question is, can you get the yields? If you put these chips up, let's say 300 on an 18"x24" four-layer, that panel could be an $1,800 to $2,400 panel and be only four layers if you make it in high yields. Your material cost is about $200 or $300; there's some labor in that, and you can get pretty good margins on that. Now eventually at higher volumes, if you're building a hundred million of these a year, obviously it's going to go down to a dollar per square inch somewhere. But for the mid-range, which could be done here with the DoD, and then some of the high end, you can get $5 or $7 per metal square inch Pricing Strategies With Michael Carano Feature Interview by the I-Connect007 Editorial Team