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Every year IPC recognizes two companies that have made significant contributions to IPC and the electronics industry. These awards are named after industry executives who were themselves significant and outstanding contributors: one for a PCB fabricator company and one for an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company. This year’s recipients were Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins, respectively. I provided a short list of questions to these companies; their responses are below.
Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award:
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
Sarah Willoughby, VP of Western Region engineering, sciences, and technology for Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, accepted the Peter Sarmanian Corporate Recognition Award. Answers to my questions were provided by Vern Boyle, VP of advanced technologies for Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
Patty Goldman: Congratulations on receiving this award. Please describe your company and its role in the electronics industry.
Vern Boyle: Northrop Grumman is a leader in aerospace and defense electronics. We have been designing and fabricating microelectronic devices and advanced electronic systems for years. We have our own foundry for specialized devices and manufacturing facilities for circuit boards and higher-level systems. Our products are deployed in many defense and security systems around the world.
Goldman: I’m sure there have been any number of employees involved in committee activity at IPC meetings; what do you see as the benefits of this involvement?
Boyle: Northrop Grumman has been an IPC member since 1962. IPC offers our employees a multitude of opportunities, including professional growth and development, chances to collaborate with other people across the field, and to affect standards to ensure they evolve with technology. Currently, we have 47 employees participating in over 120 technical committees at IPC, not including employees who review standards during industry review. We have employees who write papers for IPC conferences, complete IPC certification courses, and serve as mentors to new members. IPC allows them to share their knowledge and build off the knowledge of others, all while keeping industry standards as fair and up-to-date as possible.
Goldman: Our industry has changed over the years, as has IPC. Can you comment on the changes that have affected your company?
Boyle: The landscape for foundry production has changed, which presents new challenges. Maintaining access and addressing trust in the electronics supply chain are drivers. The need to cover wide bandwidths with low size, weight, and power also drives much of what we do.
To read the full version of this article which appeared in Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
