Chris Nash, Senior Product Manager, PCB Assembly Materials, Indium Corporation

As an EMS provider, we are cautiously optimistic about 2024. Inflation and rising interest rates are concerning because as the cost of borrowing money increases, capital investment slows. We expect some order pushouts in 2024. However, conditions should improve gradually over 2024, particularly if interest rates decrease.

EDM provides comprehensive engineering and manufacturing services to OEMs predominately in niche consumer and industrial markets. While we don't plan to increase services in 2024, our building expansion increases capacity and expands our box-build area.

We see supply chain conditions continuing to improve in 2024. Supply chain constraints drove higher inventory levels. A 2024 focus for our company will be re-balancing inventory levels to better align with best practices.

As a manufacturing company, we believe workforce development is a local issue best solved through industry-driven training and strong community partnerships. Our building expansion gave us room for an EDM Center for Excellence training area.

We've been involved with the Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) for several years and are bringing on two interns from the Lynchburg Regional Governor's XLR8 STEM Academy at CVCC. Connecting with high school students early on to showcase career options in manufacturing is important to develop a talent pipeline.