IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545855
F E AT U R E A RT I C L E 18 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2026 Diversification Where Do You Grow From Here? BY DA N B E AU L I E U, D. B . M A N AG E M E N T G RO U P Our industry has long operated on a rel- atively straightforward formula: invest in equipment, build a solid production team, develop reliable manufacturing processes, and compete for business based on quality, delivery, and price. If a shop maintained strong relationships with custom- ers and consistently delivered dependable work, there was every reason to believe the business would continue growing steadily for years. In many ways, this model built the modern PCB industry. But the environment surrounding elec- tronics manufacturing has changed dramatically, and I am concerned that many U.S. domestic fabri- cators have not fully adjusted to these changes. Too many companies operate as though the industry still revolves entirely around producing bare boards, when the market has evolved into something far more complex, integrated, and demanding. Today, simply being good at fabrication is no longer enough to guarantee long-term success.