IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1537730
David Raby In the world of defense technology, where every detail counts, STI Electronics stands as a beacon of manufacturing excellence and community pride. turing. Today, the company employs about 65 people in a 54,000-square-foot facility and continues to serve dual roles as a contract manufac- turer and an IPC-certified training center. David emphasizes that their commitment to qual- ity and industry standards is at the heart of STI's suc- cess. "We've always been believers in supporting the industry and upholding standards," he says. "Whether it's military hardware or a simple garage door opener, everything must be built correctly." STI's team stays on the cutting edge through active participation in IPC committees, training programs, and industry events like APEX EXPO and SMTA conferences. This involvement enables the company to adapt to evolving technologies and maintain high standards in manufacturing. Facing Challenges with Resilience The past several years have brought industry chal- lenges, including supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many companies, STI was deemed an essential supplier and never shut down. It implemented health and safety proto- cols to keep its manufacturing lines running. "We faced parts shortages and new health mea- sures, but our team adapted quickly and kept deliv- ering," David says. The complexity of their work also demands constant innovation. "Nobody ever asks us to make their product bigger or heavier," he says. "The trend is always to make it smaller, more reli- able, and more rugged." Their in-house capabilities, such as wire bonding and bare die place- ment, allow STI to meet demanding design requirements in military and medical electronics. Connecting Employees with the End Users One of the most powerful aspects of STI's culture is how it brings frontline users of their products into the company. "We've had soldiers and pilots visit over the years, sharing stories about how our product helped them on missions," David says. "Our employees love hearing those stories—it really brings the work to life." Similarly, medical device applications have brought patients to STI, showing employees videos of how the company's technology has improved the quality of life. "That connection is invaluable," adds Mark McMeen, STI's vice president of engineering services/manufac- turing. "It's so important for staff to see the impact of their work beyond the factory floor." Proud of People and Performance Above all, David is proud of the people behind STI. "Our employees come in every day determined to do things right," he says. "Whether it's a power supply for night vision goggles or training the next generation of indus- try professionals, ownership and quality are our top priorities." As STI looks to the future, the company remains dedicated to evolving with the industry and supporting products that make a differ- ence. "It's exciting and sometimes daunt- ing to see where technology will take us next," David says. "But with the team and the standards we follow, I'm confident we'll keep delivering. We're proud of what we've accomplished, but even more proud of the people who make it happen every day." C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 2 2 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5