Interview

Implementing digital production means, among other things, thinking about the future. Automation is nothing new, but recently some technologies have matured - such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) or RPA (Robotic Process Automation) - that have the potential to change the way companies work. AI algorithms can save companies time, make operations easier and automate production processes.

After a long hiatus, exhibitions and conferences are taking place again this year. In June, Sales Manager Ondřej Horky from Gatema PCB together with his German colleagues from Kubatronik attended the Evertiq Berlin and Evertiq Krakow conferences. Both conferences were a good opportunity to meet partners, competitors and other people from the industry.

Significantly improved configurator, two new drills, new MDI, rigid-flex and flexi plates as standard production. And new enquiries from Romania, Finland or Ukraine. That's Gatema PCB saying goodbye to a crazy last year. Once again a record year in terms of order volume. This year should be no different, despite the raw material crisis. The alignment of processes with the recently acquired German company Kubatronik, which opens the door to the world of extremely sophisticated boards for Gatema, should help.

It will be under the sign of the tiger and, according to the stars, it should be one of spontaneity, novelty and the granting of secret wishes. For people working in manufacturing, however, the arrival of the Chinese New Year, which in the calendar fluctuates between 21 January and 20 February, marks an absolutely crucial milestone in the season. It is often here that it is decided whether and how successful the following year will be. In fact, the Chinese New Year is also associated with the term 'Chunyun', when people travel en masse to see their families and fifteen days of celebrations break out across the country. For two weeks, most Chinese factories are unable to produce anything, and all orders go back to Europe, at least for a while.

Is the time approaching when printed circuit board manufacturing will start to return to Europe? What role can automation play in this? Why is there a lack of 'brains' in the Czech market? And how to find them? How hard is it to saddle a three-headed corporate horse - Gatema - that simultaneously handles PCB manufacturing, information systems development and implementation, and an international telemedicine startup project? We also discussed this with Stanislav Sýkora, former CEO of Asseco Solutions and for the last four years CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Gatema. He is also an experienced coach and mentor.