Antenna and RF system manufacturer Dielectric has brought on board RF specialist Henry Fries as manager of RF Systems and Products.
At the same time, Dielectric is welcoming Chuck Thompson as production supervisor for the company’s newly-created second shift.
With more than 30 years of experience rising through the ranks at Comark Communications, Fries will help Dielectric design and develop new RF components, such as combiners for shared antennas, and passive RF systems. He will also focus on improving design workflows, as well as the documentation and manufacturing of Dielectric’s standard and custom RF product lines.
“Besides the immediate focus on the spectrum repack, one of my challenges in this new role will be to explore opportunities that could strengthen demand for Dielectric’s high-power RF systems beyond its traditional broadcast base, including such vertical markets as scientific and industrial applications,” Fries said.
Thompson comes to Dielectric with broad experience in logistics, operations and manufacturing management, having held senior positions at Noranda Aluminum and Donaldson Company.
Fries and Thompson join Dielectric at a time when the manufacturing demand is rapidly expanding to keep pace with antenna orders from broadcast TV stations impacted by the spectrum repack. Beginning July 23, the company officially added a second shift at its Raymond, Maine facility to boost productivity and the delivery of new broadcast products.
“My goal for the second shift is to not only produce more product, but to work as a team with the day shift by providing organizational support that helps them increase their operational efficiency,” Thompson said.
