Valerie Ramon
RS Components, Corby, U.K. and Beauvias, France

Current position: Category Business Manager Emech and Connectors, Europe and Asia

Previous industry positions: Marketing Manager, Emech and Connectors, Radiospares, France; Product Marketing Manager, Emech and Connectors, Rutronik

Industry affiliations or organizations: SPDEI

Accomplishments you’re proud of: Working to deliver new product launches as a global company in Europe and Asia. Gaining confidence of customers and suppliers through these launches.

First job: Sales engineer, connectors
Favorite website: Molex

The last book I read: Completement débordée by Zoé Shepard

Why did you choose this industry for your profession? I started with the connector industry by chance, and it has been a passion ever since!

If I knew then what I know now, I would have: Done the same, although the electronics area has suffered from the economic crisis and decrease in TAM through Europe during the last few years.

The best advice anyone ever gave me was: Work always gives results. When you are starting something, you need to do it from start to the end. 

What trend in the industry is affecting your job and what would you like to do about it? Production continues to move outside of Europe, especially in France and the U.K. It would be great if manufacturing was given greater recognition and support from governments and the EU to help improve its competitive position in a global marketplace.