Passenger Infotainment: A Natural
Integration of Technology
As public transportation expands
across the globe, riders have access
to an array of leading technologies,
including Internet access and Wi-Fi,
passenger infortainment, and in-seat
video programming — all enabled by
specialized connectors.
Connected
Automotive Engineering
Today’s connected vehicle engineering
incorporates feature-rich consumer
electronics for safety, navigation,
and entertainment into the driving
experience. And increasingly, these
features aren’t just for luxury
vehicles anymore.
The Solar Market Forecast: Partly Cloudy or
Partly Sunny?
Investments, incentives, and innovation have
rapidly made solar power a viable economic
alternative to traditional energy sources in
an increasing number of areas. The cost of
solar installations continues to fall and
efficiency is rising. But political and
economic forces are in flux, and the
companies that supply the solar industry are
undergoing upheaval.
The Automotive Market Drives Ahead
The automotive sector continues to expand,
although growth has been buffeted by
economic and natural disasters...
Hot
Topics from the Hannover Fair
Dignitaries from Germany and China
showed their support for the annual
Hannover Fair, which took place in
late April. Organizers selected
China as its partner country this
year and gave valuable insights
into what’s lying ahead in terms of
new technologies, industrial
innovation, and development.
As
personal computing needs and desires
change, so do the specifications for
desktops, notebooks and the newest
player, tablets. Bishop &
Associate’s computer expert John
MacWilliams explores the present and
the future of personal computing
connector trends.
Focus on: Cristi Cristich, Cristek
Interconnects
Three decades ago, I read an article
about Cristi Cristich that opened my
eyes to the possibility of a
meaningful career in the connector
industry. Back in the 1980s,
successful women in the connector
world were few and far between. In
fact, I can probably list all of
them on one hand. Sure, it was OK
for us to answer phones and work the
telex machine, and even quote
pricing as long as a male gave it to
us. But beyond that, you didn’t see
or hear much from women in this
industry. I was one of only two
women in all of TRW Electronics’
outside sales force. That may not
mean much, but back in the 1980s,
TRW was bigger than AMP (now TE
Connectivity), Molex, and Amphenol. Cristi became an inspiration to me
and other women. She became our
mentor, our example, and proof that
women could succeed in the world of
connectors. She paved the way for
many of us. Her success has been
important not only to her, but to
all women.
— Lynda Nolen, Bishop &
Associates Inc.
Cristi
Cristich
Current position:
President and founder of Cristek
Interconnects Inc. in Anaheim,
California, and Lowell,
Massachusetts.
Previous industry positions:
I began as a receptionist at
Stanford Applied Engineering at 18
and was fortunate to be given the
opportunity to work in various
sales, marketing, and operational
roles until I started Cristek at age
23.
Industry affiliations or
organizations:
IPC, SAE, Nadcap.
Accomplishments you’re proud of:
Never missing a payroll in over 25
years and providing a work
environment centered on growth
opportunities for our employees.
First job:
Answering phones and helping with
the books — actual books/hand
ledgers in those days — for my pop’s
small business.
Favorite website:
Any site that has a mobile app I can
use on my iPad.
The last book I read:
Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged
(for the third time).
Why did you choose this industry for
your profession? It chose me! Right after
high school graduation, I had to get
a job to help pay for college. The
job as a receptionist worked out
great, the college…not so much,
since I ended up dropping out after
about two weeks to work full time in
our industry.
If I knew then what I know now, I
would have: No regrets!
The best advice anyone ever gave me
was:
“The only way out is always
through.” My mom always told me
that, but later I learned it was
Robert Frost [who said it first].
What trend in the industry is
affecting your job and what would
you like to do about it?
We’re affected by economic trends —
especially in California. We face
costs and regulatory pressures on
all fronts, such as 40% workers’
comp insurance and health insurance
increases, and commodity prices.
They all make it tougher for us to
create good jobs and pay our great
employees what they deserve.
Big Three
Sales Down -1.7% in 1Q12 Bishop anticipated a first quarter
decline, and the numbers coming in
from the big three confirm it. But
the decline is minimal and we see
signs of positive growth building
for the quarters ahead.
Since
1982, Advanced Interconnections has
designed and manufactured
innovative, technologically advanced
interconnect solutions. From its
earliest invention of the first
removable terminal carrier,
Peel-A-Way, to its rugged,
high-density B2B SMT connectors,
Advanced Interconnections designs
are used in electronic applications
around the world, including
telecommunications, military,
automotive development, high-end
computer servers, and portable
medical equipment.
“Inside Tomorrow” is the theme for the 25th
annual electronica, an international trade fair for
electronic components, systems, and applications.
This essential industry event gives professionals and
companies access to profitable markets, new branches of
industry, and lucrative sales opportunities. And of course,
this is the place to see important technologies and trends
in person and in action. Electronica’s educational
component, including conferences and forums on such topics
as automotive and embedded platforms, makes this a valuable
opportunity for growth and development.
Nearly all consumer segments and user industries are
represented, from automotive and industrial electronics to
embedded, wireless, medical electronics, and MEMS. Meet
decision-makers from both the manufacturer and buyer sides,
many of whom are looking for future business partners and
compatible products for current and future requirements.
New Munich Trade Fair Center
www.electronica.de
Connecting
to Solid State Lighting
A world under pressure to reduce its
energy consumption has spurred
innovation in efficient new lighting
technologies. The future is looking
brighter for the companies who took
the lead.