AUGUST 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 91
It was the begin-
ning of July, on
an English sum-
mer's day—over-
cast and rain-
ing—as I drove up to Cheshire the pretty
way, across the Derbyshire dales, to avoid
the traffic problems on the M6 motor-
way. It was well worth the journey when
I arrived at the premises of RoBAT Ltd.,
in Macclesfield, to meet with Managing
Director Bruce Nockton.
I often think about the
phrase, "Excellence is
born when someone
shows they care." We
each have reasons for
choosing a certain career path and then decid-
ing whether to stay on that path or leave and go
another direction. Those reasons often stem from
our ability to care about the work we do. Lately,
I've been reflecting on my reasons for starting a
career in electronics. For me, it comes down to a
passion for what I do.
Mike Brask explores IPS's involvement in the
transformative journey of Alpha Circuit. Mike
explains the strategic partnership between the
two companies. He reveals the crucial decisions
and investments that were made to improve
their manufacturing capabilities, particularly in
copper plating. The discussion also emphasiz-
ing IPS's commitment to innovation and client
support, which has greatly contributed to Alpha
Circuit's growth and operational excellence.
Dr. Hayao Nakahara (Naka) has toured
hundreds of PCB manufacturing facili-
ties worldwide, amassing a wealth of
data and insights. Dan Beaulieu cap-
tures the essence of Naka's profound
impact on the PCB industry, from his
early days in R&D to his current role
as a revered source of knowledge and
analysis for industry professionals.
Global supply chain for the domestic PCB
industry has been steadily shifting since the
1980s. But because of the quality control
issues, rising international tariffs, and un-
clear intellectual property protection involv-
ed in offshoring, reshoring has become a
particularly hot topic. Reshoring refers to the
process of bringing manufacturing opera-
tions back to one's home country.
Jesse Ziomek, global sales
director and product man-
ager at DIS, Inc., a com-
pany that designs and man-
ufactures automation equip-
ment, focuses on strate-
gies for thriving in the PCB
industry by emphasizing cost
reduction through smart robotic solutions and
addressing bottlenecks to optimize yields.
For the latest news and information, visit PCB007.com
The New Chapter: I've Found My 'Why'
Material Insight: Diversifying
PCB Manufacturing Through
Nearshoring
Insights from a PCB Pioneer:
Dr. Hayao Nakahara's
Global Journey
DIS: Thriving With New Processes
and Technologies
A Visit to RoBAT
Thriving Through Partnership:
Alpha Circuit's Journey With IPS
Jesse Ziomek
