In electronics manufacturing, the difference between theory and reality is felt on the factory floor. At HW Technologies, that difference shapes how the business supports its customers. Through the work of Service Manager Sachin Naidu, we offer a sneaky behind-the-scenes look at how hands-on support, technical expertise and long-term thinking drive outcomes for manufacturers of all sizes.
Typical day?
There is no such thing as a “typical” morning for Sachin Naidu. Some days begin with emails and planning. Others begin with an urgent call from a customer whose production line has stopped. Either way, the focus is the same: keep electronics manufacturing lines running, optimised, and ready to deliver.
HW Technologies specialises in the sales and service of surface-mount technology equipment, with a strong focus on Mycronic systems from Sweden, a brand known for precision and longevity. Those same values carry through the business. Sachin has worked alongside Managing Director Hugo Waibel for more than 20 years, which really reflects the strong culture built on trust and relationships, continuity, and technical expertise.
Starting the day: priorities and planning
Most mornings begin for Sachin with a quick review of emails and a short conversation with Hugo. These check-ins are brief and practical and help identify where sales and service intersect and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
If an enquiry is service-related, it moves straight to Sachin and his team. Hugo handles customer and supply chain relationships, and sales leads, with Sachin and his team providing technical input where required.
From there, the day can unfold in several directions. Responding to breakdowns, supporting customers remotely, planning installations, preparing training sessions, or coordinating with overseas technical teams are all part of the mix.
Machine breakdown alert
“Fast response is not about rushing. It is about asking the right questions early.”
Breakdowns are an unavoidable part of manufacturing, but how they are handled makes all the difference. When a customer calls with an issue, Sachin’s first step is understanding the behaviour of the machine, not just the error message.
If possible, issues are resolved remotely. Customers may be asked to provide log files, which Sachin reviews before escalating to Mycronic teams in Sweden or Singapore, if deeper analysis is required. Years of hands-on experience mean many issues can be diagnosed quickly.
Sachin’s goal is to minimise downtime and get the customer back into production as quickly as possible. “You only really understand a machine once you have seen it fail, recover, and run again,” smiles Sachin.
Optimisation for fast and simple changeovers
While breakdown support is a critical part of the role, much of Sachin’s work happens well before a machine is ever installed. A significant part of his day is spent helping customers understand how their production lines could operate more efficiently.
“Good optimisation does not start after installation. It starts before the machine is sold,” says Sachin.
To support that process, customers regularly send production files to HW Technologies for analysis. Using Mycronic’s planning software, MyPlan, Sachin simulates job preparation
time, production time, and overall throughput across multiple jobs. These simulations give customers a clear picture of how different machines would perform in their specific production environment.
For high-mix, low-volume manufacturers, changeover time is often the deciding factor. While some machines may offer higher headline placement speeds, Mycronic systems are designed for fast, simple changeovers. In practice, that flexibility can save days of lost production over the course of a week.
Confidence from day one?
Once a machine is sold, the responsibility shifts from sales to service. Sachin works closely with customer production teams to plan installation, understand site requirements, and reduce disruption to existing operations.
Installation is only one part of the process. Training is just as important.
“My job is not just to fix machines. It is to make sure customers can run them confidently every day,” says Sachin.
Some customers choose to complete training overseas before machines arrive. Others prefer hands-on training during or after installation. In both cases, the objective is the same: confidence from day one.
In some projects, up to 80 percent of preparation work is completed before machines even reach the factory floor. Offline programming, component setup, and server configuration allow customers to begin production almost immediately after commissioning.
A gift of a second life
One of the more unusual aspects of HW Technologies’ approach is the support of smaller manufacturers, often with little or no commercial upside.
Sachin recalls helping customers transition from hand placement to automated pick-and-place using refurbished machines that might otherwise have been scrapped. Some of these machines are more than 20 years old and still running reliably today. It’s a great feeling to be able to create a second life for them.
The shift from hand placement to automation is transformative for those smaller businesses. What begins as a small step often becomes the foundation for future growth. Keeping capable equipment in use and supporting local manufacturers aligns with HW Technologies’ long-term view of the industry.
And what does the future hold?
Sachin suggests that electronics manufacturing is becoming increasingly data-driven.
“AOI used to be a luxury. Now it is one of the first things customers ask about.”
Technologies like AOI and SPI, once considered optional, are now standard expectations for many customers. Automation is no longer just about speed, but about accuracy, traceability, and repeatability.
He also sees a shift towards fully integrated production lines, where machines communicate through unified software rather than separate programs.
“The future is integrated lines where you program once and deploy across the whole system,” says Sachin.
Labour costs remain a challenge for Australian manufacturers, but Sachin believes local expertise, flexibility, and support will continue to drive value. Smaller manufacturers, in particular, are bringing production back onshore and investing in smarter automation rather than chasing scale alone.
More than a job
For Sachin, the most rewarding moments are not the biggest installations or the most advanced machines. They are the moments when a customer sees their first automated placement run successfully, or when an older machine is given a second life and helps a business grow.
It is practical work, done quietly, but it sits at the heart of what HW Technologies offers. Real support. Real expertise. And a deep understanding of what electronics manufacturers need to keep moving forward.