58 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2025
In continuing my series on finding, signing, and keeping good peo-
ple for your company, this month we discuss hiring good people for
your quality department. Even when hiring was easier, hiring for the
quality department has always been especially challenging. It takes
a special kind of person: someone with attention to detail, some-
one ready to stand for his or her convictions, and someone who can
stand up under pressure when the company needs to ship product
and the quality manager refuses to because it is not up to par. The
quality department is the very soul of any manufacturing company.
"The October book-to-bill ratio for the
North American EMS industry slightly
trailed the long-term trend. Although orders
have declined for two consecutive months,
the year-to-date performance remains
solid," said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., IPC's
chief economist. "Shipments, which had
been subdued earlier this year, have now
increased for four consecutive months,
suggesting improving momentum."
Electronic devices
are ubiquitous,
performing criti-
cal functions in
a wide range of
applications. Many
of these devices
operate in harsh
environments
characterized by extremes in temperature,
humidity, pollution, and chemical exposure.
Standard of Excellence: Hiring for Quality Positions
in Manufacturing, Engineering, and Management
North American EMS Industry
Up 14.7% in October 2024
The Knowledge Base: The
Impact of Harsh Environments
on Residue Tolerance
TOP TEN
EDITOR'S
PICKS
Bert Horner, president of The Test Connection, has
recently launched The Training Connection, a new
company that addresses critical training needs in
test engineering and development, with a focus on
essential methodologies like design for test (DFT)
and IPC standards.
The Training Connection Difference