Gustavo Sepulveda Of Panasonic Connect North America: On The Exciting Developments In US High Tech Manufacturing

The global shortage of computer chip manufacturing has highlighted the urgency for the US to have a robust High Tech Manufacturing sector. As a result, the Biden administration has signed a bill to boost chip manufacturing in the US. In addition to computer chips, what other exciting advancements and innovations are US companies making in High Tech manufacturing? What is coming out in the near future? What would it take for the US to become a High Tech Manufacturing powerhouse? To address these questions we are talking to leaders of High Tech Manufacturing industries. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gustavo Sepulveda.

Gustavo Sepulveda is the Process Automation Business Head at Panasonic Connect North America. Panasonic Connect is a B2B company offering device hardware, software, and professional services for the connected enterprise. Gustavo is responsible for leading the team that delivers automation solutions in the electronics and metal fabrication industries. He works with customers to navigate the ever-changing and challenging world of manufacturing such as the migration of operations to North America and managing the growth and demands of the industry. Gustavo is a passionate leader and mentor who is dedicated to shaping the next generation of workers, which is exemplified in his contributions to mentorship programs throughout Panasonic Connect and Braven, a company focused on providing underrepresented young people with the skills, confidence, and networks necessary to succeed in the workforce. Gustavo is passionate in creating a work environment where all team members can speak freely and respectfully challenge each other to bring the most innovative ideas to the table. Gustavo is a member of the IPC’s SMEMA Council Steering Committee, which is dedicated to furthering competitive excellence and financial success of suppliers to the electronics assembly industry.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started in manufacturing?

Back in 1997, my soon-to-be manager convinced me to accept a sales position in robotics. I was concerned because it was an emerging technology that wasn’t quite popular yet. I am so happy that I decided to take the challenge though, because I learned what many manufacturing professionals did not yet have the opportunity to learn those 25 years ago. As time went by, I held different positions as robotics business heads in Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. I joined Panasonic Connect three years ago and am responsible for the process automation business in North America.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

It’s very difficult to pick the most interesting story, but I can share the most important one. It was when I decided to relocate to Brazil to lead the local robotics team at the company I was with at the time. I accepted the position not knowing what to expect. Accepting this position and moving to Brazil gave me such valuable international experience and opened the door to more career opportunities, like with where I am today in the United States as a business leader in this country.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.” I was lucky enough to get into robotics

before it was mainstream. Accepting my first role in the industry was a big risk, and I’m so thankful that I had the courage to go for it. It allowed me to understand an emerging market before a lot of people got into it, and I felt a competitive edge having this knowledge within me. For young people starting their career or anyone who has the opportunity to learn about something new, I encourage them to take a chance because if they don’t, they might miss out and regret it later.

Ok wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview about High Tech Manufacturing. Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now? How do you think this will help people?

Global companies are migrating or reshoring a portion of their operations from Asia to North America. The U.S. government is also focusing resources on manufacturing. The recently passed $52.7 billion CHIPS Act includes $39 billion in manufacturing incentives and another $13.2 billion in R&D and workforce development. I am happy to be a part of this transformation that will boost technology in this region, generate development for people and companies, and will optimize the supply chain challenges we have today. Regarding the second part of the question, this migration will help people because it will offer more professional opportunities for this generation and the many to come.

In addition to what you are working on, what other exciting advancements and innovations are US companies making in High Tech manufacturing?

One of the most critical advancements in high tech manufacturing is the integration of software and hardware. The transition of moving from a hardware-centric operation to developing fully integrated solutions is key while integrating assembly lines. For example, years ago, assembly lines were isolated machines that were managed independently. Today, with the right integration between software and hardware, manufacturing companies manage not only the complete assembly line, but the whole factory including warehouse, quality control, maintenance, and more.

From your vantage point as an insider, what exciting developments will be coming out in the near future?

The Internet of Things (IoT) and automated solutions provide even more visibility beyond the assembly line, allowing manufacturers to see the entire facility as one system. Rather than a disjointed chain of operations, they can detect material shortages ahead of time and understand how much product is available at any time.

Today you can see the complete line from raw material to final product. Seeing the assembly line from the beginning to end provides manufacturers with a full picture and a new level of visibility not present before.

What are the three things that most excite you about the state of US High Tech Manufacturing? Why?

1. There’s a massive opportunity in manufacturing today. In the early 2000s, the SMT and PCB markets migrated to China. And, unfortunately during that time, the North American manufacturing industry plateaued. Now, with manufacturing coming back to North America, there’s tremendous growth potential. Construction of new manufacturing facilities has increased 116 percent over last year, 22,000 new manufacturing jobs were added in August 2022 and the industry has added 461,000 jobs over the year. These are signs of a strong industry and I’m looking forward to seeing how all this energy moves manufacturing forward into a new era.
2. Every industry is considering how to be more sustainable, and manufacturing is no exception. With even more software development and integration, SMT lines can become more efficient by producing products faster, saving time and energy. Using technology such as automation can help reduce material waste.
3. Finally, I’m really excited about how data is transforming the industry. Emerging technologies such as automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) can transform factories into data-driven operations. This means manufacturers can take a more hands-off approach and allow the SMT line to run more independently while they focus on proactive tasks, such as checking material inventory. This technology is helping companies produce the latest and most modern products in the market.

What are the three things that concern you about US High Tech Manufacturing? What would you suggest needs to be done to address those concerns?

1. There’s so much positive momentum in manufacturing right now, with the shift back to North America and investment in the industry. To reach the industry’s full potential, however, we need to fill these roles — fast. And to do that, the industry needs to train an upcoming generation of workers specifically in electronics, since that’s the area with the strongest need. Manufacturers need to really focus on attracting and retaining talent, otherwise this potential could go to waste.
2. The supply chain continues to be a concern in manufacturing. If even one chip is missing in an electronic device, companies will have to delay production which leads to disruptions in the whole supply chain. The good news is that with the CHIPS Act, these delays should be cut down.
3. With such rapid growth in manufacturing, there’s always a fear of the unknown. The industry will likely experience growing pains and other challenges that can’t be predicted. But North American manufacturers have been waiting for an industrial resurgence for a long time and will do whatever it takes to be successful now and into the future.

Based on your opinion or experience, what would it take for the US to become a High Tech Manufacturing powerhouse?

I’m passionate about mentoring and training the next generation of the workforce. The U.S. can only become a manufacturing powerhouse with strong education partnerships, through university and college programs, even outreach to high schools. Many of these programs have great programs on robotics, but additions to surface mount technology would greatly complement the students’ education. Creating that talent pipeline early on and providing curious students with hands-on training will help the industry establish a solid foundation of strong workers.

As you know, there are not that many women in High Tech Manufacturing. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women in these industries?

The short answer is that manufacturing needs women to be just as involved as men. The industry would be in much better shape with better diversity overall however. STEM initiatives and other purpose-driven causes help to solve this need that we have in the market. Every industry leader should try their best to close the existing gap between workers with different backgrounds.

Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In High Tech Manufacturing?

1. Start now. Some job seekers may be intimidated by the fast-paced growth happening in manufacturing. However, now is the time to get in the industry if you really want to grow fast in your career.
2. Seek out a mentor. I believe that you can’t reach your full career potential without guidance. Whether your company offers a specific mentorship program or not, seek out a more senior person who can guide you in your career and answer any of your questions. I credit so much of my success today to my mentors, and I hope everyone has the chance to find such caring and strong people as I did.
3. Familiarize yourself with emerging technology and how it’s being used across different industries. Automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are just a few examples of technologies that are changing how industries operate. Read articles to understand what these technologies are and talk with people from other industries to learn about how they’re being used. Even if your company is not yet using these technologies, understanding them and their purpose will make you successful in any career.
4. Ask for hands-on training. It’s one thing to understand how technologies work and another to know how to use them in a job. If you don’t go through a training program, don’t be afraid to ask for hands-on training so you can experience how these technologies are being used in real-time.
5. Take risks. There’s so much change happening in manufacturing right now, so now is the time to try something new. This could mean moving somewhere new to understand how manufacturing works in a different environment or moving to a different industry within manufacturing. The most successful people are those who take risks and embody an agile mindset.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I’m a huge advocate for mentoring and I believe that everyone who’s had a mentor in their life should continue the cycle and become a mentor themselves. It’s so important to have someone to look up to, whether in one’s personal or professional life. A mentee-mentor relationship should involve trust, open communication, and transparency. Without someone to help guide you, it’s easy to feel lost and a lack of growth in your career. A mentor is there to help mentees navigate obstacles and level up in their roles. I wish everybody could have the mentors I have had in my career.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can follow me on Twitter at @GT_Sepulveda and on Linkedin. You can also follow the Panasonic Connect Blog here.

Thank you so much for the time you spent doing this interview. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.