Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1530610
88 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2024 That will get people's attention. Cottrell: Yes, and having been here just a few months, every- one has been great. e China team is amazing. ey have ten- ured employees who have been with the company for over 20 years. ey are doing an excel- lent job. Does FCT do all its manufac- turing overseas? Cottrell: We do. We're exclu- sively in Asia with our FCT and inTFlex plants in China and we have had a long-term part- nership with Korean-certified partners for the past 15 years. We have a roadmap to our own facility in ailand within the next three to four years too. We know there are global risk strategies and blended supply chain models that people have been asking for, and I think we have a good solution for that. Especially now that you're in the EMS supplier side of things. Cottrell: Let's face it, China will always be part of the man- ufacturing solution. I under- stand dual and triple sourcing or de-risking, but the capabili- ties, systems, components, and the supply chains in China are, frankly, unbeatable right now. Abby, as FCT's first marketing director, what are your plans? Abby Meyer: We are a signifi- cant resource for the industry and want to expand on that. We are elevating the voices of our engineers to our customers. You will be seeing more technical presentations, articles, technical bulletins, and webinars from us as well. FCT will be marketed as a go-to thought resource for our industry, which really adds to everything else we're doing, including making a big investment in soware and streamlining operations within our own walls. We want to be sure that nothing falls through the cracks and that, ultimately, our world-class customer service remains a central part of our brand and identity. For example, if you call us, a person will answer the phone; there are no automated systems. To stand out today, you need someone to answer the phone. It makes me seriously happy when I don't get an automated system. Burkett: If you just care enough to do those lit- tle things and you do them right, that will sep- arate you from many competitors. It's simple, but it is important. It matters when you can get that type of thinking ingrained in your organi- zation. I agree. Carey, it will take a lot of people to replace you, but it sounds like you have all the right pieces in place. Thank you for this conversation and we wish you all the best in retirement. Burkett: ank you, Marcy. PCB007 Abby Meyer " We are a significant resource for the industry and want to expand on that. "