Manufacturing
The 2015 Washington Manufacturing Awards: Manufacturing Executive of the Year, Large Firms
By Bill Virgin April 28, 2015
This article originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.
WINNER
Tuanhai Hoang, president, Qualitel Corporation
Everett
Contract electronics manufacturing is a tough business to be in, especially for a domestic producer. But under Tuanhai Hoangs leadership, Qualitel has managed to do a lot more than endure during the past 20 years of making circuit boards and complex box assemblies for aerospace, medical, industrial and military customers. Annual sales have gone from $22 million to $45 million in the past three years alone, with employment growing from 90 to 195.
Qualitel has invested more than $3 million in new equipment and new processes, such as parylene coating used for protection against moisture. It isnt letting up in its drive to operate more efficiently, either. A velocity scheduling system implemented last year reduced lead times by 25 percent, while conversion to LED lighting and a more efficient ventilation system will save thousands of dollars a year in
energy costs.