43 years ago at the age of 17, I joined Brumby Systems (renamed Reltech Limited in 1998), as a Trainee Electronics Technician with little idea of what I wanted to do as a career but with some interest in electronics. Today I say farewell to the company that I love and has been my life. Five years ago, we set out a 5 year plan to structure the company and management team such that I could retire. Yes, today I am retiring and what a journey it has been!
I leave the company in the very capable and experienced hands of our Management Team of Paul Tuffin – Managing Director, with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with for 32 years, Tracy Wilks HR and Finance Director, Srikanth Katra – Engineering Director and Andy Bond – Test Lab Director. Aidan Hill – Sales Application Engineer, is doing a sterling job in continuing the high level of service and fast response that Reltech has been renown for.
I have experienced many firsts on the way – our first fax machine, first computer, first mobile phone, first email address and first website! I recall designing life test hardware for 16 pin DIL, 2.54mm pitch I/C’s with something like a 1500nm process node. Quite a contrast to today’s 5nm, 2,000+ BGA’s and devices with solder ball pitch down to 0.35 mm pitch devices that we perform life testing on at Reltech.
I’ve faced incredible challenges during my time at Reltech, some of which we thought would be impossible to provide a solution for, but on most occasions, we succeeded to do so. I’ve been fortunate to work with some great, clever and fascinating people, made great friendships and have worked with some of the most successful companies around the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for your help and support and who I have had the pleasure to meet and work with over the years. Who knows when and where our paths could cross again?
I now plan to spend more time with my wife and family, play more golf, improve my sailing skills, take more holidays (without business email) and generally relax, stay fit and healthy and continue to enjoy life to the max. Will I get bored and want to come back into the industry? We’ll see!
Thank you – Semiconductor Industry – I’ll miss you.
Best wishes
Mark Ashley
Chairman – Reltech Limited