Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1541367
NOVEMBER 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 25 join the business full-time after graduation, espe- cially since the job interview process in the real world wasn't going so well. What are some of your proudest professional accomplishments? I would say it was building the family business with my brother for 25 years, then selling it to an Asian partner that kept supplier relationships intact, and more importantly, kept the business operating with the existing team. I'm very proud of that. What personal milestones make you proud? It might sound cliché, but raising a couple of kids, now both in their late 20s, who are happy in their lives, is a great achievement. Outside of your work life, how do you create a healthy work-life balance? My main thing is to work out every day, especially when I'm on the road. That alone gives me the optimism and energy to take on just about any- thing. When I can combine a workout with a long hike in the mountains with family and friends, that's a big bonus. At Schmoll America, what do you most love about what you do there? Schmoll's customer focus is what I love most and has made a big impression on me. It really hurts when we let a customer down (and we do some- times). The customer commitment throughout the organization, starting with our management and ownership in Germany, is like none other I've seen in this industry. What is your view of the future of business and industry in the coming years? What do you hope for our industry? Anything past 10 years is so difficul to imagine since technological developments are coming at us exponentially faster than they were just 10 years ago. How will AI impact our business? In the short term, it is the one technology that will drive most of the PCB demand. In the long term, AI will accelerate the disruptive technology that will replace PCBs. I hope we're able to innovate and adapt when that time comes. The PCB manufacturing industry has always been a stimulating and exciting place to be, but it's a tough business, so it's important to keep a healthy per- spective. What words of wisdom would you like to share about surviving and thriving in this industry? Every business and industry has its cycles. Never get complacent in the good times, and get out and meet people in this industry. Relationships go a long way when times get tough. PCB007 Kurt loves hiking in the High Sierras. ⊲