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provoking presentation on KPIs, followed by table discussions on metrics and methods for tracking that best serve EMS busi- nesses. On a related note, Mark Wolfe, executive EMS advisor at IPC, asked the group to share with IPC some desired areas for industry benchmarking and encouraged participa- tion in such statistical programs and studies. Experts on the EMS market presented different perspectives throughout the day. Randall Sherman of New Venture Research started with a discussion about the attributes of successful (and unsuccessful) EMS companies. Dieter Weiss of in4ma and Weiss Engineering presented detailed mar- ket data from the European market, which, as Wolfe pointed out, is a good approxima- tion of the North American market and a level of detail difficult to duplicate due to fewer required disclosures in North America than in the EU. Wolfe moderated the session and presented highlights of North American market data he has been consolidating over the past year. IPC gave updates on activities of interest in IPC Solutions initiatives, global advocacy, and sustainability. The primary takeaway by these small-to-medium EMS business lead- ers from IPC CTO Matt Kelly's overview of design, advanced packaging, e-mobility, and Factory of the Future initiatives was a question regarding the opportunities for AI in manufacturing. Chris Mitchell, IPC VP of global government relations, brought several members of his team to provide updates on policy efforts in North America and Europe, including the impact of their respective gov- ernment legislation and sustainability efforts, prompting several participants to consider their internal sustainability programs. The EMS Steering Committee, which wel- comed several new members since the EMS Leadership Summit last year, has another beneficial program planned for 2025 and is encouraging EMS leaders to join regional roundtables in North America or IPC Days in Europe throughout the year. Finally, the EMS Steering Committee would like to recognize and honor the contribu- tions of its outgoing chair, David Holling- sworth, and board liaison, Steve Pudles. The EMS industry has benefited greatly for more than three decades from Pudle's drive and determination, initiation of indus- try tools, and his long-term representation of small-to-medium EMS businesses on the IPC Board of Directors. Hollingsworth has emulated the spirit of the EMS Steering Committee to build his business by growing the knowledge and capabilities of the EMS industry through openness and grassroots community building. As they both venture into new passions during their retirement, we wish them the best. We are fully com- mitted to continuing our support of the EMS community they have both been instrumen- tal in building. S&T Tracy Riggan is senior director of IPC business development and solutions. 120 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2024 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE