InterviewTitle
moving swiftly up Forward-thinking
the technology lad- companies will be
der and coping with
lead-free introduc-
“Forward-thinking companies will be
looking for open-
ings even in tough
tion. All of this with
very little support
looking for openings even in tough
times. Being able to
offer a higher level
from equipment
and consumable
times.”
of functionality at a
lower cost will beat
suppliers. Frankly,
the competition and
they were badly
take a bigger share
treated by several
of the market, that
of my peers who were more interested in
to the latest developments in our industry.
market may be smaller but it is still there.
short-term sales than solutions. SMART
Plus the adjacent Networking Area, where
A key strength of a good company is adapt-
was the perfect vehicle to impart unbiased
visitors, exhibitors and presenters can
ing to meet tighter market conditions, not
knowledge and technical support. There
exchange views and knowledge.
simply reacting by slashing budgets. We
was some initial scepticism, but we are
have a very good record of innovation. If it
now getting an audience of about 200
Q8. Are you planning to hold a confer-
is exploited now, it will lead to growth and
to our seminar tours, and response from
ence alongside the exhibition?
leave those companies in a strong position
attendees is great. I am very proud of what
In fact we are holding an exhibition when the upturn comes.
the team there have achieved in a very
alongside the conference, plus a network-
short time.
ing opportunity. This combination ticks all Q12. Do you view legislation such as
the boxes and maximizes ‘value for money,’ WEEE, RoHS and REACH as being
Q4. Do you have any further plans for ex-
which is key at this time. Technology is at helpful to industry, or are they a barrier
pansion in Europe and other territories?
the heart of the event; this ensures an in- to business?
There are no plans for European expan-
teresting and productive day for all visitors.
Tough one!
sion at present, but we have had an
Good legislation which improves our
interesting approach from South America,
Q9. Do you feel that it is too close to
health and the environment is always wel-
where, like South Africa, there seems to
Productronica?
comed, providing the cost of compliance
be a real thirst for good unbiased technical
No, for several reasons. Our target audi- is not too prohibitive. My purely personal
knowledge.
ence is from the UK and Ireland, and view is that there was not enough input
there is only a small overlap. This is from our industry in much of the recent
Q5. What is your relationship with
also true of the exhibitors and speakers. legislation, and it could have been done
SMTA and other trade associations?
This show is a great opportunity to gain smarter and cheaper.
We have worked successfully with most of
technical knowledge, get an overview of SMART has done a great job dissemi-
the other associations on projects and have
the current economic picture, see new nating this information; Leadout was very
a very good relationship with them. I feel
technology and network, all within a day. successful in helping with the transition to
there is more we can do together and I am
It is a focused event. We have a very strong lead free assembly, and SMART continues
sure we will in the future.
conference program, with a exhibition this work with REACH. But as some of the
aimed at UK and Irish companies, I would legislation is still evolving and exemptions
Q6. You are launching a new SMT exhibi-
say it is a ‘rifle’ approach, whereas Produc- changing, it is hard to keep up.
tion, Electronics Technology, in Coventry
tronia is a ‘cannon.’ Perhaps I could finish by asking a
in September. Why did you decide to do
As I have already said, the location is simple question of you and the readers. If
this?
central and perfect, and the timing is also WEEE makes the industry recycle units at
good for our industry. ‘end of use,’ why are we concerned about
As you know, SMART Group had a tradi-
landfill contamination with lead, etc.,
tion of holding a biannual conference
Q10. What is your view on the UK and which is the thrust of RoHS?
held in Brighton. Our committee decided
Ireland as a centre for innovation and
to resume this, as the time was right and
manufacturing? Editors Comment: Good point, but even after
our members were asking for a high-
the reusable components and materials have
quality, technology-based event. Electronics
For a long time we have designed and
been recovered, there are some fairly nasty waste
Technology is the only event of its kind
developed great products for other coun-
products that will end up in landfill sites. The
to combine a stand-alone SMART Group
tries to manufacture, due to our high cost
rub is that these landfill sites need to be close to
conference with an exhibition, a network-
structure. However, we still have quite
underground streams for any contamination to
ing event and free-to-attend new technol-
a strong military-based manufacturing
leach into the water supply and cause potential
ogy presentations all under one roof.
industry which is relatively immune from
harm…Hmmmm.
the current downturn. Ireland has some
Trevor Galbraith.
Q7. Will the show have any special feature
automotive-related companies but also a
areas?
very strong electro-medical industry which,
again, is maintaining growth.
The focal points of the exhibition will be
our Exhibitor Presentation Theatre, where
Q11. How badly will the UK recession
ten new technology presentations will be
affect R&D budgets and stifle innovation
given each day, allowing the visitors access
and growth?
www.globalsmt.net Global SMT & Packaging – February 2009 – 47
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