Interview The key market sectors that Smiths


Interconnect will be focusing on are aerospace, defence, space, medical, semiconductors, and rail. These markets are the main focus because they are growing rapidly and need ever evolving technology enhancements.


“Semiconductors is a big focus area for us,” explains Harris. “We supply the products that test semiconductors for key global producers. They are producing millions and millions of these chips so we have to be very high-tech, very fast and very cost-effective. We also make all the software packages for automotive systems and the test products for the chips that are embedded into the big gaming machines, too.


“Defence is also an important part of our business, specifically in the US but so also here in Europe. Wherever security or high-speed data or special interfaces are required, that is where we play a major role. And linked to that is aerospace which is another big market going forward. You have got key worldwide players, but you have also got a rising set of customers in Asia now because there is a huge market segment growing there.”


Harris continues: “Another key area is medical. There are growing technology needs in the medical industry so it is a considerable market for us. And the last market we are focusing on is the rail industry. It’s a very important industry going forward and it’s a global market as well. Europe has traditionally led the way but I think Asia is now starting to make substantial headway in rail industries with the Americas probably in third place.”


“We do have a presence and manufacturing units in Asia; we are now going to build on that presence so a lot of emphasis will be put on Asia, specifically China because it is a vast market.” Reflecting on the transition to Smiths


Interconnect, Harris concludes: “It’s making a difference from a customer point of view. We did a big launch in Asia recently and I have been travelling round to some of our


major customers doing the rebranding and giving the new message and the feedback from the customers is extremely favourable. Customers think it is fantastic because they were buying products from all the different business units before it was consolidated and now they can buy it all from one place. And it has benefitted them because they are on a supplier reduction programme so effectively this is reducing the supply base.”


Smiths Interconnect is now a more


streamlined partner to their customers, making it more accessible and easier to understand. The focus on markets through vertical integration is only leading the company to bigger growth. Harris closes, “We are a force to be reckoned with.”


www.smithsinterconnect.com


www.cieonline.co.uk


Components in Electronics


May 2017 13


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