Interview with Jared Sandman, CEO of Fancort Industries
Over the past four decades, West Caldwell, NJ-based Fancort Industries has become a
leader in electronic production solutions. As an early innovator in Aerospace lead forming
equipment, Fancort builds equipment that is critical to satellites including the international
space station and the Jupiter Space probe – all still flying today and highly regarded by NASA,
its contractors and major semiconductor suppliers. It was this expertise in electronic component
processes that allowed Fancort to steadily expand into the areas of lead forming services, PCB
depaneling, pneumatic & servo presses, hot bar soldering, and most recently robotic soldering.
A manufacturer and integrator of production solutions for electronics manufacturers, Fancort
has a strong competency in both precision tool design and automation. Our editorial team
recently spoke with new CEO Jared Sandman to find out what new plans he has for the thriving
company.
Jared, congratulations on your recent appointment as CEO of Fancort Industries. Can
you give our readers a brief description of your professional background? Why are you
the most qualified to lead the company to 40+ more years of success and innovation?
Good question. I started out working for Texas Instruments as mechanical design engineer in
the sensors and controls business. I was fortunate enough to start out in a new product
development group where I worked with highly talented people developing and eventually
managing product lines. After leaving TI, I worked at and eventually owned several technical
sales companies prior to my eventual appointment at Fancort Industries.
What are your initial thoughts about the company? What are the strengths you noticed
immediately?
What excites me most about Fancort Industries and technical sales in general is the process of
developing unique solutions to your customers’ problems. When we as sales professionals are
able to provide advice and expertise that makes life easier for our customers, it is a virtuous
process. Fancort is a classic example of good people doing what they love and helping
customers achieve their goals.
Are there any improvements you hope to make?
Fancort has a very strong base of expertise from which many things are possible. My focus will
be to continue to serve our established customers and product lines first. Then, with intense
focus on our customers’ needs, we will continue the Fancort way of innovation and new product
development.
Can you please give us a quick rundown of the Fancort product portfolio?
Sure. Basically, we started the business making lead forming equipment in 1972, developed a
line of pneumatic presses to complement the lead forming equipment, then moved further into
PCB production solutions with our depaneling, hot bar soldering, press fit machinery, robotic
screw fastening and, most recently, robotic soldering.
How does the Japan UNIX robotic soldering equipment fit into Fancort’s product line?
Robotic soldering equipment fits naturally into our growing area of expertise in electronics
production equipment. About three years ago, after working with several vendors, we found
ourselves gravitating to the Japan Unix equipment because it has many features that
differentiate it for speed, reliability and cost. Since then we have partnered with Japan Unix to
cover the North American market.
How important is it in today’s environment to be a global player? What are you doing to
have more of a worldwide presence? What advantages does this bring customers?
I think it is crucial to think and act globally. Fancort has been doing this for decades and I think it
is a key reason we have lasted through the years. The world is getting smaller and we find
ourselves reaching across the globe on a daily – and almost hourly – basis. Although we have
our main production in New Jersey, we have customers that include companies and
governments in numerous countries including China, India, Russia, Mexico, Canada, the Middle
East and many more.
What do you most want the industry to understand about Fancort Industries?
We are a company of high-quality solutions. We spend the time and effort to develop long-term
value in our people and customers.