Best Pcea Podcasts (2026)

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From Design To Assembly: How PCEA Connects The Electronics Ecosystem with their President Mike Buetow 14:13

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9d ago14:13

14:13

Crowded halls at Productronica set the scene, but the real action is the shift from isolated specialties to a connected electronics ecosystem. I sit down with Mike Buetow, President of PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association and Publisher of Circuits Assembly to talk about the throughline from PCB design to fabrication to assembly—and what it…

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RM 1834: A Reliability Matters Podcast Year-End Reflection 9:58

1d ago9:58

9:58

ince 2018, Reliability Matters has been building a knowledge vault, capturing the wisdom of industry experts for engineers everywhere. In this special year-end episode, we celebrate the journey, the growth, and the community that made it possible.By PCEA

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Defense Deals And Nordic Expansion from Kitron Group: EMS@C-Level with CEO Peter Nilsson 14:00

14d ago14:00

14:00

A Nordic acquisition with outsized impact: I sit down with Kitron Group President and CEO Peter Nilsson to unpack why bringing DeltaNordic into the Kitron family is more than a geographic play. It unlocks entrenched capability in electrical cabinets and control boards for combat vehicles and naval platforms, backed by fresh orders and the kind of i…

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Why Connecting Machines And Companies Unlocks Real Factory Value with Koh Young's Michael Zahn and Joel Scutchfield 13:29

15d ago13:29

13:29

The floor at Productronica hummed with a cautious optimism: after nearly two years of headwinds, signs of a turn are appearing in Europe. I sat down with Koh Young’s Michael Zahn and Joel Scutchfield to compare notes across Europe, the US, and Mexico—where industrial electronics, defense, smart home, and heating systems are on the rise while automo…

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RM 182: How to Work Effectively with your CM - with Daniel Stanphill & Sean Kincaid 1:05:53

15d ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Mike Konrad continues a dive into the world of contract manufacturing—a vital piece of the electronics ecosystem. Joining him are two industry leaders who know this space inside and out. First, we have Daniel Stanphill, SMT process engineer at Aurora Boardworks, and alongside him, Sean Kincaid, president of K & F Electronics. Both companies provide…

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Scaling Smarter: Why InCap Is Acquiring Lacon Group And What It Unlocks, with CEO Otto Pukk 9:53

16d ago9:53

9:53

Deals change the game only when they change what you can do for customers. That's the heartbeat of our conversation as we break down InCap’s planned acquisition of Lacon Group, a Germany-based EMS and ODM player with sites across Bavaria, northern Germany, and Romania. In this conversation with InCap CEO Otto Pukk, I dive into why Germany’s the cor…

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RM 181: Working with Contract Manufacturers - with Raymond Novara 58:21

25d ago58:21

58:21

The next two episodes of Reliability Matters will be all about contract manufacturing, an area that can make or break the reliability and success of a product. Mike Konrad's guest on this episode is Raymond Novara, founder and owner of East End Assemblies, a US-based contract manufacturer recognized for its focus on quality, customer service, and c…

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Global Collaboration, Local Impact with Sanjay Huprikar, Chief Global Officer at Global Electronics Association 9:57

28d ago9:57

9:57

A bustling Global Electronics Association booth at Productronica sets the stage for a candid conversation with Chief Global Officer Sanjay Huprikar about what real global collaboration looks like when it’s working. We trace a clear arc: India’s surge through training and engagement, China’s evolution from certification powerhouse to standards initi…

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From MBA To COO: Navigating EMS, Mentorship, And A New Leadership Model with Koh Young Europe COO Solin Ahmed 8:15

29d ago8:15

8:15

Productronica 2025 sets the stage for this novel leadership story: how a business major found purpose in the SMT and EMS industry, learned the language of machines and yields, and stepped into the COO role. I sat down with Koh Young Europe COO Solin Ahmed to unpack what it really takes to lead in a technical market without an engineering degree—flu…

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The Race is On: Dealmakers At Full Throttle with MP Corporate Finance MD Shaan Tharani 14:51

1M ago14:51

14:51

Europe’s EMS market isn’t just busy—it’s redrawing the map in real time. We sit down at Productronica 2025 to unpack how a slow Q1 turned into a full-throttle M&A sprint, and why the leaderboard is changing faster than most expected. From targeted buys that unlock Spain, France, North Africa, and Switzerland to bold moves in aerospace and defense, …

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EMS & The Economist (November 2025) - Shutdown Shockwaves And Smarter Supply Chains 16:06

1M ago16:06

16:06

In this episode of EMS & The Economist with Global Electronics Association Shawn DuBravac, we start with the longest U.S. government shutdown on record and how it choked off official data when leaders needed it most. With unemployment figures stale and signals flashing mixed, we turned to industry metrics: book‑to‑bill ratios that look balanced, ba…

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RM 180: Low Temp Soldering for a High-Reliability World 52:35

2M ago52:35

52:35

Note: This is the fourth of four episodes on the subject of soldering materials. Today, we're diving into a topic that's reshaping how we think about thermal management, energy efficiency, and long-term performance in electronics manufacturing—low temperature soldering. Joining Mike Konrad is Dr. HongWen Zhang, principal metallurgist and R&D manage…

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PCB Chat 147: Matthias Wagner of FluxAI 32:17

2M ago32:17

32:17

Today’s guest is Matthias Wagner, chief executive and cofounder of Flux. Flux is maker of a Agentic AI-based PCB design platform and programmable simulator that runs in a browser environment. Regular listeners may know we have spoken with Matthias a few times in the past, most recently in February 2024. Since we last spoke, Flux has built out its p…

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RM 179: Indium's Ross Berntson 1:03:40

2M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

This is the third of four episodes on the subject of soldering materials. Today, we’re continuing our deep dive into the world of soldering materials, from advanced alloys and flux chemistries to global manufacturing strategy and materials innovation, with one of the industry’s most respected leaders. Joining Mike Konrad is Ross Berntson, president…

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What Happens When Every Action Becomes A Data Point: EMS@C-Level with FermionX MD Will Patrick 8:49

2M ago8:49

8:49

Sitting down at FermionX with Managing Director Will Patrick, we explore how a third-generation MD took a family electronics manufacturer from tribal knowledge to a data-first operation that customers can see, trust, and scale with. We start with the lineage—granddad’s silkscreen craft evolving to PCBs, then assembly—and why honoring that service a…

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PCB Chat 146: The Latest EDA Market Results 16:23

3M ago16:23

16:23

By PCEA

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RM 176: The Chemistry of Reliability: Choosing the Right Solder and Flux 44:24

3M ago44:24

44:24

In this episode, Mike Konrad is joined by Chris Ward, founder and managing director of Solderking Assembly Materials, a UK-based manufacturer of solders and chemical consumables for electronic, electrical, and engineered assemblies. Ward brings decades of experience in soldering materials and chemical formulations—and he’s built a company committed…

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PCB Chat 147 with Margaret Upshur of Mobius Materials 25:07

3M ago25:07

25:07

Margaret Upshur is CEO of Mobius Materials, a global online marketplace for excess electronic components. Before founding Mobius, she was senior director of operations at Particle, which supplies application infrastructure for deploying software and models on computing or IoT devices. And while in college she cofounded a company that made a hand-he…

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RM 177: Humidity: Small Cause, Huge Reliability Risk with Viktoria Rawinski 48:22

3M ago48:22

48:22

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview 02:12 Meet Victoria Rawinsky: Expertise & Industry Impact 05:09 Social Media Challenge & Making Science Accessible 09:09 Humidity in Electronics: The Science & Risks 15:12 Types of Humidity & Effects on Materials 20:04 Manufacturing Shortcuts & Hidden Failures 25:30 Real-World Reliability Failures & C…

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PCB Chat 146 - Stephen Chavez on PCB Design Trends and Needs 49:21

4M ago49:21

49:21

Stephen Chavez is principal technical product marketing manager with Siemens, but he’s best known for his three decades as a printed circuit designer and instructor. He’s a regular contributor to various industry publications and host of the Printed Circuit Podcast. He also coauthored and teaches the PCEA Training Certified Printed Circuit Designer…

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RM 175 - SMT War Stories with Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall 58:14

4M ago58:14

58:14

Mike Konrad is joined by two of the most respected names in the electronics manufacturing industry, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Together, they bring decades of hands-on experience and unparalleled insight into the challenges and solutions within our field. Hall and Zarrow are the driving forces behind ITM Consulting, where they help manufacturers aro…

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RM 173: Reliability as a Service: How ChargerHelp! Keeps EV Charging Running 47:49

5M ago47:49

47:49

As the electric vehicle market accelerates, the reliability of the charging infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. Chargers that are down or malfunctioning can hinder adoption and erode consumer confidence. But who ensures these chargers stay up and running? This episode of Reliability Matters dives into that very topic with a trailblazer in th…

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PCB Chat 145: David Schild on Congress Priorities 34:33

6M ago34:33

34:33

On this episode of PCB Chat, David Schild of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America and Mike Buetow discuss the current legislative environment for supporting the PCB industry. We discuss the organization's latest annual meeting, the changing political environment, competition with China, and potential incentives. Also covered: The expand…

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PCB Chat 144: The Latest PCB Design Software Market Trends 12:40

6M ago12:40

12:40

Wally Rhines, spokesperson for the ESD Alliance, joins Mike Buetow to discuss the first quarter electronic design automation market results. The good news: sales of PCB/MCM design software were up 5.5% to $399.8 million for the quarter, the 17th straight period of growth. Strength in Asia-Pacific offset slower results in some other regions. The fou…

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RM 172: Steering ERP Projects Back on Track with Chintan Sutaria 46:40

6M ago46:40

46:40

Today we're diving into a topic that keeps many executives awake at night—ERP implementations. More specifically, why so many of them fail and, perhaps more importantly, how to fix them midstream before they derail your operations. Joining Mike Konrad is someone who knows this space inside and out—Chintan Sutaria. Sutaria grew up working in an EMS …

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Expanding Horizons: Microboard's Growth Strategy and Cultural Values, with Owner and CEO Nicole Russo 8:43

6M ago8:43

8:43

How does a manufacturing company double in size with limited workforce availability? What role will AI play in the future of electronics manufacturing? Nicole Russo from Microboard provides powerful insights into these questions and more during our conversation at APEX 2025. Looking to establish their second manufacturing site, potentially in the w…

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How Production-First Leadership Transforms Manufacturing Success at ALL Circuits Guadalajara 4:26

6M ago4:26

4:26

When production becomes the North Star of manufacturing leadership, everything changes. Oscar, who has evolved from engineering manager to leader of engineering and production at ALL Circuits, reveals the shift in mindset that's transformed their Guadalajara facility. His refreshingly practical approach centers on making production results the foca…

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The Way We See It: Day One Wrap with EMSNOW's Eric Miscoll and Koh Young's Joel Scutchfield 12:12

6M ago12:12

12:12

Amid the bustling energy of APEX 2025, there's a sense that electronics manufacturing is at a pivotal point. Despite swirling uncertainties about politics, trade, and economic conditions, some companies aren't waiting for perfect clarity—some are moving forward with confidence and purpose. Reshoring momentum is real. "It's a directive, a mandate fo…

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Cofactr on Supply Chain Execution 17:30

6M ago17:30

17:30

Cofactr is a supply chain execution platform that includes source-to-pay and 3PL solutions for electronics hardware developers. Live from the show floor at PCB East in May, cofounder Phil Gulley and VP of marketing Libby Melton join Matt Leary, Geoffrey Hazelett and Mike Buetow to discuss the company's procurement process tools and software integra…

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RM 171: Pick & Place Machine Selection and Optimization 52:37

6M ago52:37

52:37

Today we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of modern electronics manufacturing: pick-and-place technology. Joining Mike Konrad is Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. With nearly two decades of experience in the electronics manufacturing space — starting as a mechanical engineer and now leading one of the top pick and place equipment …

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RM 169: On the Road - Soldering 29:32

6M ago29:32

29:32

On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, Mike Konrad left his usual studio for the IPC Apex Expo trade show. He interviews two subject matter experts on topics related to electronics assembly. The guests are: Gerald Gardner, global product manager at Weller, a manufacturer of hand soldering equipment fume extraction systems, and precisio…

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RM 168: On the Road - Electronics Assembly 35:11

6M ago35:11

35:11

Mike Konrad interviews three subject matter experts on various topics related to electronics assembly. The guests are: Greg Beck, director of sales at Absolute EMS, a contract manufacturer. Brian Watson, cofounder of HyRel Technologies, a global provider of quickturn semiconductor modification solutions. Keith Sweatman, technical advisor at Nihon S…

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From IPC to Global Electronics Association: Connecting The Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain, with CEO John Mitchell 9:31

6M ago9:31

9:31

The electronics industry has reached a pivotal moment of transformation, and leading the charge is a familiar organization with a brand new identity. In this revealing conversation, John Mitchell, President and CEO, announces the rebrand of IPC as the Global Electronics Association – a name that finally captures the true essence of the organization…

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Hugs Before Handshakes: How IPC Mexico Is Winning Hearts and Minds at APEX 2025 7:34

6M ago7:34

7:34

Mexico's electronics has always been one of the main events at APEX, but this year they are doubling down! I explore the journey of IPC Mexico and their first-ever dedicated pavilion at Apex after 25 years of Mexican participation at the show. Lorena Villanueva, the dynamic leader of IPC Mexico, reveals their groundbreaking "three-helix" strategy t…

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Yes We Can, Yes We Must: How Europe Can Reclaim Its Competitive Edge with Koh Young's Harald Eppinger 10:55

7M ago10:55

10:55

The landscape of European manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation, caught between geopolitical tensions, shifting economic priorities, and technological disruption. Harald Eppinger of Koh Young offers a candid assessment of where Europe stands and what's needed to revitalize its industrial leadership. "We are competitive in technology…

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Crisis-Proof Manufacturing: InCap's Otto Pukk Talks Tariffs, Trade Wars and Talent in an Agile Global EMS 7:09

7M ago7:09

7:09

Amid global economic uncertainty and shifting trade policies, how do manufacturing companies navigate choppy waters? Otto Pukk, President & CEO of InCap joins us to reveal the advantages of a decentralized leadership approach during turbulent times. "There is always some crisis and always some turbulence," Otto reflects with refreshing pragmatism. …

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Navigating Industry Change with Out of the Box Manufacturing's Allison Budvarson 7:13

7M ago7:13

7:13

As the landscape of electronics manufacturing undergoes rapid transformation, industry leaders are grappling with how to navigate uncertainty while capitalizing on emerging opportunities. At APEX 2025, Allison Budvarson, COO and co-founder of Out of the Box Manufacturing offered a open and honest look at these dynamics, revealing how her company ma…

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Chris Banton of EMA Design Automation on Board Optimization 9:48

7M ago9:48

9:48

Chris Banton of EMA Design Automation joins Matt Leary, Geoffrey Hazelett and Mike Buetow to talk about how the EDA vendor's helps printed circuit board designers optimize their designs. Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.By PCEA

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MADE IN EUROPE #3: Scaling Defense From EU Strategy to Battlefield Innovation 23:29

7M ago23:29

23:29

Europe's defense industrial base stands at a critical inflection point. Military experts warn we have just three to five years to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities before facing potentially devastating security challenges. I talked about these trends and the European response with Kitron Group's President and CEO, Peter Nilsson and Managing …

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Uncertainty Has Become The Only Certainty - EMS@C-Level with IMI CEO Lou Hughes 14:42

7M ago14:42

14:42

Lou Hughes, President and CEO of IMI, brings us inside the evolving world of global electronics manufacturing where uncertainty has become the only certainty. From his perspective leading a major EMS provider through turbulent times, Hughes shares candid insights about how companies are adapting to constant disruption. The conversation opens with a…

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Balancing Global and Regional Supply Chains - Sanjay Huprikar, Chief Global Officer, IPC on EMS@C-Level 19:45

7M ago19:45

19:45

In this compelling conversation, Sanjay Huprikar shares insights into his expanded role overseeing IPC's global strategy across Europe, India, Southeast Asia, the US, and Canada. As the newly appointed Chief Global Officer for an association serving a $3 trillion global industry, Huprikar offers a unique perspective on how trade associations must e…

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PCB Chat 143: Frank Mullaney and Emma Hudson of iNEMI 33:40

7M ago33:40

33:40

For early 30 years, the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (INEMI), has been the go-to consortium for many leading OEMs companies and their suppliers to identify and develop next-generation technology, and then help deploy it for high-volume manufacturing. Frank Mullaney, director of roadmapping, and Emma Hudson, new project manager…

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EMS & The Economist - Chaos-as-a-Strategy and How Tariffs Are Changing Supply Chains (May 25) 23:37

7M ago23:37

23:37

Economic uncertainty looms large over the manufacturing landscape as tariffs, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains. The slight contraction in Q1 economic growth masks an underlying reality - demand remains relatively stable, but manufacturers face difficult decisions about where and when to invest in new capacity. …

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Smart Systems Are the Key to Competitive Manufacturing in Today's Complex World 10:45

7M ago10:45

10:45

Manufacturing stands at a crossroads, caught between technological opportunity and geopolitical uncertainty. Speaking with Augusto Vilarinho Head of Global Sales at Critical Manufacturing at APEX 2025, we dive into how manufacturers are navigating today's complex landscape while preparing for tomorrow's challenges. The contrast between European and…

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Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk on an AI Solution for PCB Manufacturing 11:45

7M ago11:45

11:45

Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk join Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to share work on a Department of Energy program that pair scientists with real-world industry problems. In particular, Britton and Matsiuk are focused on developing an AI solution for the PCB manufacturing industry. Among th…

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Robert Byrne of Allspice 9:10

7M ago9:10

9:10

Robert Bryne, director of marketing at Allspice.io, joins Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to talk about the five-year-old company's GIT hardware platform that helps hardware and electrical engineers streamline hardware design reviews. We discuss the ECAD formats that Allspice engages with, the…

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From Acquisition to Achievement: The InCap US Manufacturing Journey with MD Dave Spehar 6:45

7M ago6:45

6:45

Manufacturing landscapes are constantly evolving, and few understand this better than Dave Spehar, Managing Director of InCap's US operation. Speaking from the Creative Electron booth at APEX 2025, Dave offers a candid look at the post-acquisition journey since July 2023 that has propelled their business to record performance. Cultural alignment em…

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The Only Thing That Has Changed is Everything: A Conversation with Amtech CEO Jay Patel 8:10

8M ago8:10

8:10

What truly sets successful electronics manufacturing companies apart in times of global uncertainty? Find out as I speaks with Jay Patel of Amtech at APEX 2025 in this thought-provoking conversation about leadership, adaptation, and competitive advantage in the EMS industry. The past year has brought extraordinary change – from political shifts to …

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Global Strategies and M&A Trends: A Conversation with Lincoln International's Chaim Lubin 9:39

8M ago9:39

9:39

The electronics manufacturing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as companies seek global capabilities and strategic advantages in a post-pandemic world. Chaim from Lincoln International, the largest global investment bank focused on private capital markets, shares exclusive insights from decades of orchestrating EMS mergers and a…

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How Matric Group is Reimagining US Manufacturing for Tomorrow's Challenges with Patrick Stimpert 13:01

8M ago13:01

13:01

Manufacturing excellence demands continuous adaptation, a truth Patrick Stimpert from Matrix Limited embodies as he shares his company's remarkable journey during our conversation at APEX 2025. Following a standout year, Matric has expanded their manufacturing footprint by 30%, completely resetting their converted school building facility with a st…