Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1534385
10 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2025 Feature Interview by Marcy LaRont I-CONNECT007 At IPC APEX EXPO 2025, industry leaders gathered to assess the evolving economic land- scape influenced by recent political shis and global trade dynamics, in addition to exploring technology and process innovation. I visited with Tom Edman, president and CEO of TTM Technologies, and chair of the IPC Board of Directors. Tom candidly shares his insights into the implications of changes on the defense sector and the broader electronics manufacturing industry, especially concern- ing PCB manufacturing. With half of TTM's business tied to defense, Tom discusses the potential opportunities and challenges arising from government initiatives, tariffs, and sup- ply chain complexities. His perspective high- lights the importance of adaptabil- ity and collaboration with custom- ers to navigate this intricate envi- ronment successfully. Marcy LaRont: Tom, with the almost daily changes in Washington, D.C., what is the state of business for TTM? Tom Edman: ese changes are always interesting. Particularly as a company with almost half of our business in defense, we watch the happenings in Washington very closely. Of course, we think about the potential influence of the changes being made, of which I will highlight just a few. One is the DOGE effort, which hasn't reached the Department of Defense yet, but it will. As DOGE and other efficiency efforts look at the Pentagon, there are several areas with opportunities for improvement that could benefit everyone. One in Navigating Change, Mitigating Risk: We've Been Here Before