Know How Driven Services

"Know How Driven Services"

Keyword: Intellect

The last article in Circuit World on behalf of PCIF/Intellect considered some of the historical background of the Chinese nation relevant to our situation and the impact of the manufacturing migration to China in our field. There was also some suggestion of strategies for coping with this trend. This will be further explored in the next Fabricator's Forum to be held on 22nd January 2003. Such strategies were also covered by the paper, which was given by the BPA Consultancy at our conference in October 2002.

The same pressure has been felt in other industries of course, but it is especially acute in the design, fabrication, contract manufacturing and supply chain elements of our industry.

There has been much talk in the past of design for manufacture but many designers dislike that phrase because it smacks of the designer's activities being subservient to the manufacturing exercise. Design and Manufacturing should work in harmony and at the earliest moment possible in the cycle to ensure a swift and efficient outcome. When this principle is adopted there is then also an improved position for taking on a wider brief of design for sustainability, which is a beneficial goal for all. This then can dovetail into a total sustainability strategy for the organisation. This need for the design function to butt up to the other disciplines for optimum results is why of course so many companies nurture their ownership of design – obvious examples among thousands which we can easily relate to are Nokia and Sony who keep control of the design function and guard it carefully.

Our fabricators have proved over many years, like the contract manufacturers, that they are innovative and more than capable to adapt to new techniques in a pioneering spirit. Now, because of the shift in emphasis of large/medium production to offshore manufacturing bases, they have again demonstrated their flexible approach by forging links with Central European and Far Eastern sources. This trend leaves them to focus on niche solutions to customer demands or put another way concentrating on what the latest buzz-words frame as "Know-How Driven Services", high-tech stuff to you and me.

The lynch pin in all this is the supply chain where much of the support and the development so necessary for high-tech service is derived. We are fortunate to have still a solid commitment from our suppliers in the form of support and investment. For how long I hear some cry, depends on the dedication, energy and conviction of our industry. We have to provide services that others are incapable of producing. When the client sees that his supplier's attitude is of providing services that not only meet but also exceed his expectations no-one else has a chance. The supply chain will recognise that and stick with it. You will have seen the rallying that is being led by the IPC in the USA.

They are great team players. So are we when the chips are down. Many in Japan in the past, having followed the Deming Crede, concentrated on customers and quality, leaving the rest to take its course; the thinking and the reality at the time being that with that dedication, the bottom line would take care of itself. Those days are past, but the customer driven attitude so ably illustrated by our industry is the one to follow and hone.

There are problems with extended supply chains; new management and system techniques are required and many are new to them. Plenty of burnt fingers have been experienced already. The Far East and Central Europe are perhaps not the most stable or mature places politically and the strategic wisdom of relying too much on these is tenuous.

Now to the next 12 months. In the last bulletin reference was made to a vigorous programme. We can begin now to put some flesh on those bones viz:

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  2-3rd April – Nepcon South, Birmingham, UK

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  9th April – ICT Seminar – "Optoelectronics & HDI", Arundel, UK

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  14th May – ICT Annual Symposium – "Navigating the Technology Network", Midlands, UK

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  22nd May – Intellect Annual Dinner, London, UK

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  24th September – ICT Seminar – "Laser Drilling", Coventry, UK

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  15th October – PCIF Annual Conference, Midlands, UK

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  15th November – ICT Seminar – "Testing for Faster Delivery", Arundel, UK

Frank Coultard