IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 1 0 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 conglomerates, but we refuse. We want to remain a small shop where people know where their product is being built, and they know the operators and the inside team building that product." In an industry with such rapid changes, it's import- ant to stay updated.. "Being a prototype manufac- turer means our company needs to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry," James says. "Being a member of the Global Electronics Association com- munity allows us to keep abreast of the market. The Association offers us training, guidance, and insight that just can't be found elsewhere. In my opinion, being a member of the Global Electronics Associa- tion is a must." The Same Challenges as Everyone Else While ACE continues to grow, it faces challenges familiar to anyone in the industry. One major chal- lenge is going green. "We are 100% committed to sustainability, but there is no escaping the hazardous waste in PCB manufacturing," James says. He currently heads up ACE's hazardous waste pro- gram, and while ACE is considering adding a new building, company leadership says it can only be done if all the options for sustainability are met. "It is important to us to maintain our business while ensuring that future generations are healthy and safe," James says. Another challenge is the skills gap. Employee turnover is extremely low, and several employees have been there more than 25 years, "but finding someone who wants to stay in this industry is dif- ficult," James says. "We treat our team as family, because we want them invested in the company. We want them to be empowered and to have the passion that we have." ACE has unique ways to encourage staff to stay at the company, particularly by being flexible in meet- ing the needs of employees. "We seek to ignite pas- sion in that candidate," James says. "That's what sets us apart from the other folks." For example, one employee recently became a parent, and ACE offered a daycare incentive as part of the employee package. For another staff mem- ber, the HR department provided a tuition package to encourage the employee to stay at the company while they were in school. "We try to tailor something that makes our team members feel important, that they're individual, and that we work to live," he says. "We don't live to work." We try to tailor something that makes our team members feel important, that they're individual, and that we work to live. —James Hofer ▲ M E M B E R P R O F I L E