Tim McNulty, CEO and President, Harbor Electronics, the board division of Multitest

We prepared for 2010 by not slowing down in 2009. As the leader in the prototype PCB business for the semiconductor test market, we cannot afford to fall behind the technology curve or lose pace with our customers' requirements.

We continued to engage with customers as part of their R&D pipeline, and continued to invest in new equipment, our people and our processes. Tighter capital expenditure budgets meant we had to scrutinize our investments more carefully, but not investing was never an option.

In early 2009, we experienced a significant business downturn that lead to reductions in head count, but we have since replaced those positions and even added new engineering positions.

When business slowed down, albeit for a short period, it gave us the opportunity to refocus our business and better define our core competencies. We feel our customers are better served by our newly refocused business.

Anticipating customer needs comes from experience and that is why people turn to Harbor Electronics/Multitest for probe card and load board PCB requirements.

2010 is already off to a good start and our customers are benefiting from our continued investments throughout 2009.