IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545855
F E AT U R E I N T E RV I E W 26 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2026 BY M A RCY L A RO N T, I - C O N N ECT 0 07 Beyond the Board Diversification as Strategy Are the days of simply building boards and shipping them out the door coming to an end? For PCB fabricators and electronics manufac- turers alike, diversification is moving from a growth strategy to one of survival. Supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, tariff fluctuations, and ac- celerating technology cycles are forcing companies to rethink how they create value for customers. At Flexible Circuit Technologies (FCT), that has meant expanding beyond world-class flex circuit manufacturing into assembly, vertical integration, and a growing global footprint. Ray Cottrell, exec- utive vice president of business development, discusses why diversification matters, how FCT is evolving from a supplier to a strategic partner, and what manufacturers should ask themselves as they prepare for the next wave of industry change. Marcy LaRont: Ray, when we spoke two years ago, you had just joined FCT and were focusing on an important expansion area for the company. First, take a moment to reintroduce yourself.