Posts

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PCB Vertical Integration: From a Master’s Thesis to Reality

Vertical integration in PCB fabrication is a genuinely contested strategic question with real tradeoffs on both sides. The core tension: fabricators that integrate up into design and down into assembly gain margin and stickiness, but risk diluting their manufacturing focus and alienating the EMS and design-house partners they depend on. My latest IConnect PCB007 column on The Pros & Cons of PCB Vertical Integration compares the results of my MBA thesis 25 years ago to today’s reality. Has anything changed? Read the article and find out by clicking on this link: THE PROS & CONS OF PCB VERTICAL INTEGRATION

Reach out to the industry leader for all of your quality and leadership needs at:

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Moraine Plastics Future-Proofs Quality Systems with Steve Williams

Moraine Plastics partners with national quality expert Steve Williams to enhance systems, performance, and operational excellence.

PRESS RELEASE
WEST BEND , IL, UNITED STATES, February 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Moraine Plastics has engaged Steve Williams, a nationally recognized quality and leadership expert, to consult with the company as it continues to refine its quality systems and support operational excellence.

“At Moraine Plastics, quality isn’t a checkbox—it’s our mindset. Engaging Steve lets us strengthen systems, reinforce continuous improvement, and stay ahead of customer and certification expectations”
– Gerry Ford, President

Click below to read the entire EIN press release

EIN PressWire Press Release

 

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Suzanne Carbon, Evolution Point
February 03, 2026, 16:11 GMT

This press release was distributed across over 450 local, national and network media outlets.

Reach out to future-proof your business

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

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Talking Manufacturing with Steve: Beyond Confidence with Divya Parekh on Talk4TV

In case you missed Tuesday’s blog that focused this interview on Steve’s new leadership book Notorious, I’m reblogging it on the TRAC website as much of the conversation was regarding manufacturing obstacles, solutions and the importance of a solid quality management system. Below are the Talk4TV link plus iHeart & Apple Podcast versions:

 Talk4TV Beyond Confidence

iHeart Beyond Confidence Podcast

Apple Beyond Confidence Podcast

 

Here for all your quality needs:

AS9100/ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Occupational Health & Safety: What is ISO 45001 and why do you need it?

ISO 45001 provides significant value to organizations looking to reduce workplace incidents and demonstrate OH&S commitment. ISO 45001 can be seamlessly integrated into your current QMS as an IMS (Integrated Management System). No need to change your QMS structure, numbering scheme or functionality, I work with you to painlessly integrate these into the existing management system.

ISO 45001 establishes criteria for an OH&S policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review. Key elements include leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal and regulatory compliance, emergency contingency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement. Whether you have a union environment or  local requirements, keeping your employees safe is not only a moral and ethical responsibility, but just good business. Near misses, lost time due to accidents and loss in morale are costs that directly erode the bottom line.

ISO 45001 Quality Management Certification Badge. Vector illustration.

Whether you currently hold ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100 or IATF 16949, trust the industry expert, TRAC, to guide you through this transition quickly and efficiently.

Benefits

  • Framework to proactively manage OH&S risks
  • Reduced workplace incidents and injuries
  • Demonstrated commitment to worker health and safety
  • Ensured compliance with OH&S regulations
  • Increased organizational resilience
  • Reduced costs through continual improvement of OH&S performance

Reach out for a free phone consultation to get started.

Steve Williams

President – The Right Approach Consulting

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Environmental Management: What is ISO 14001 and why do you need it?

Implementing ISO 45001 provides a framework for organizations to design and implement an EMS, and continually improve their environmental performance. ISO 14001 can be seamlessly integrated into your current QMS as an IMS (Integrated Management System). No need to change your QMS structure, numbering scheme or functionality, I work with you to painlessly integrate these into the existing management system.

Many of my clients are getting pressure from their customers, industry and/or local city or village regulatory agencies to attain this certification to improve their environmental compliance. ISO 14001 is a separate certification that encompasses various aspects from resource usage and waste management to monitoring environmental performance and involving stakeholders in environmental commitments.

Whether you currently hold ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100 or IATF 16949, trust the industry expert, TRAC, to guide you through this transition quickly and efficiently.

Benefits

  • Enhanced environmental performance
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Risk management
  • Cost savings
  • Operational excellence
  • Stakeholder and customer trust

Reach out for a free phone consultation to get started.

Steve Williams

President – The Right Approach Consulting

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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TRAC Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

First, I would like to thank the 50+ clients that have believed in my company and enabled me to keep the business going strong heading into year 11. A special thanks to the number of customers that have been with me in various capacities since day one; your loyalty is greatly appreciated. I am also proud to announce a 100% certification track record with my clients across the international standards of AS9100/ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949, and MIL-PRF-31032.

The company was founded September 30th, 2013, so while the actual 10-year anniversary was last September I am extending the celebration as there will be a special anniversary offer extended to all of my clients over the past 10 years. Separate emails will be sent out to these clients with details, but a summary of the offer is outlined below.

 

10-year QMS Upgrade

Every year I make changes to my core Quality Management System that improves, simplifies and increases efficiency. The system is also updated based on the constantly changing auditor preferences and interpretations of the standard(s). This will be a one-time QMS upgrade that incorporates all the improvements over the past 10 years and that can be accomplished over a one-month period via onsite and online meetings, including training to the new upgrades. Typical results are a 40-50% reduction in procedures, forms, tasks, etc., with an ROI of only 6-months or less. The number of clients in any given month will be limited to allow appropriate time to each client, but the offer will  be extended as many months as needed to accommodate all that are interested.

Once again, many thanks to my clients in helping to achieve this milestone, and I look forward to the next ten!

Steve

 

Contact me for all your quality needs

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Press Release: Elite RF receives ISO 9001 2015 Certification

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

March 5, 2024

Hanover Park, IL

Elite RF receives ISO 9001 2015 Certification

I am proud to announce that client Elite RF, an industry-leading RF amplifier and generator manufacturer, has received certification to ISO 9001: 2015 from certifying body IAPMO SCB. The entire management staff put in a tremendous amount of work to make this certification happen, as evidenced by receiving zero findings in their initial certification audit. A special shout out to Deep Patel, VP of Operations, for spearheading the project internally and inspiring a quality culture throughout the organization.

Ami Patel, Chief Administrative Officer & Partner, stated: “Quality is important to us, and getting ISO 9001 certified validates Elite RF’s commitment to maintain a healthy quality system and assure we meet all customer requirements. Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority as stated in our Quality Policy, and ISO will help us hold that promise to our customers. Receiving ISO certification will help our customers know they are in good hands when ordering RF amplifiers or generators from Elite RF. Also, special thanks to Steve Williams of TRAC  for his guidance through our ISO journey.”

About Elite RF

Elite RF has a profound understanding and years of experience in RF/microwave power amplification technology. They focus on 3 product categories – RF Power Amplifiers, Solid-State High-Power Microwave Generators, and RF Ablation Medical Devices, as well as custom RF solutions. The company works diligently toward meeting the needs of its clients in industries such as medical devices, aerospace, military, quantum computing, particle technologies, communication, plasma-based applications (such as lab-grown diamonds, and semiconductor processing) plus many more. Please reach out to them at sales@eliterf.com to discuss your RF/microwave product specifications and they will closely collaborate with your team to develop your idea into a working product.

For more information go to: http://www.eliterfllc.com

Contact Steve for all of your QMS needs.

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Doing Business the Elon Musk Way by Dan Beaulieu

Fantastic read by my colleague Dan Beaulieu: Doing business the Elon Musk way! The points Dan makes are appropriate to anyone in any industry and specifically in the world of quality.

https://iconnect007.com/article/137869/its-only-common-sense-doing-business-the-elon-musk-way/137866/pcb

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

 

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Alloy Products Corp. Receives ISO 14001: 2015 Certification

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

July 18, 2022

Waukesha, WI

Alloy Products Corp. Receives ISO 14001: 2015 Certification

I am proud to announce that client Alloy Products Corp. (APC) has received certification to ISO 14001: 2015  for Environmental Management from registrar TUV. This adds to the company’s certification to ISO 9001: 2015. President Betsy Bear-Hoff created and chaired an environmental “dream” team of Todd Schlicht, Tanya Tavernia, Emily Lynch, Nick Dunne & Ray Woo that were charged with accomplishing this significant task in under two months. The results were a perfect audit! Congrats to the team and appreciation for all the cooperation & hard work.

Bear-Hoff stated:

“Environmental protection and compliance have always been a core strength of APC, but going through the certification process definitely has raised our game and made us a better environmental partner.”

About Alloy Products Corp

A leader in the fabrication of stainless steel and other alloys since 1929, Alloy Products Corp. consistently meets or exceeds the most rigorous industry standards. APC manufacturers portable pressure vessels & fixed pressure vessels manufactured to ASME and UN specifications used in a variety of sanitary, industrial and general purpose applications. The pressure vessels are constructed of stainless steel and other modern alloys. These pressure vessels are designed for dispensing, mixing or storing hazardous, corrosive, high purity or flammable products to 13.8 bar (200 psi). Few manufacturing facilities can match their superior craftsmanship and quality assurance in designing and manufacturing a wide variety of stainless steel pressure vessels and containers.

For more information, they can be reached at 800.236.6603, or through their website https://www.alloyproductscorp.com

Contact me if you want to add ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 to your company, or with any QMS need.

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

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Watch the Video & Register for my new AS9100 in Plain English course at IPC/APEX

The Aerospace parts market has a $900 Billion TAM (total available market) and access to this business largely depends on being AS9100 certified. In my class I leverage my 4 decades of experience to cut through the verbiage, help you understand what is actually required… (& what is NOT) AND offer best practices that will add VALUE to your organization. Watch my Promo Video here and join me in San Diego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heX6Rn_PsgI&t=5s

Contact me to get AS9100 certified, on time and under budget. Guaranteed!

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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