How it All Began
Matric Group is a collective of three companies, with its origins dating back to the establishment of Matric Limited on December 6, 1971. Founded by electrical engineers Andy Maitland and Lee Richey—both former Vo-Tech instructors—the company initially specialized in designing, building, and maintaining HAM radio equipment. By 1973, Maitland and Richey expanded their expertise, developing solid-state logic controls and radio-controlled multiplex systems to support the underground mining industry.
In 1985, Matric took a pivotal step into the embedded controls market, and by 1989, the company made a substantial investment in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) equipment, enhancing its technical capabilities. However, as the 1990s ushered in rapid advancements in technology, it became clear that staying competitive would require more than just financial investment.
Both founders, now in their early 50s, began searching for a buyer who would not only continue to grow the business but also remain committed to the community by keeping the company rooted in Venango County, PA, where it all started. This search led them to Rick Turner, who shared their vision for Matric’s future.
Introducing Matric to The World.
In 1993, Matric Limited was acquired by Rick, a Cornell graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in operations research and industrial engineering, as well as an MBA. Coming from a family with decades of experience in the glass manufacturing industry, Rick was eager to branch out and forge his own path. With this acquisition, he assumed the role of president and CEO of Matric Limited.
Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth. In 2000, Rick expanded the business by investing in a wind energy engineering firm, which was later rebranded as Windurance. Further strengthening its portfolio, Matric Group acquired Dynamic Manufacturing in 2005, adding a second EMS facility and solidifying its position in the industry.
Over the past 20 years under Rick’s leadership, Matric Group has established a global presence, partnering with companies that create products essential to sustaining life, saving lives, and operating in environments as diverse as underground, underwater, in the sky, and even beyond.
Commitment to Its Customers
At Matric Group, the motto says it all: “Electronics and people you can count on.” From the moment a customer comes on board, the goal is to foster a lasting partnership built on trust and reliability. The company is fully committed to supporting its customers, ensuring they can focus on selling their products while Matric Group takes care of the rest. If challenges or mistakes arise, Matric Group takes full responsibility and works to resolve them quickly and effectively.
The company’s dedicated quality department, staffed by skilled engineers and trainers, is unwavering in its commitment to delivering excellence. This team ensures the needs of customers, auditors, and internal teams are consistently met. Matric Group proudly upholds industry-leading certifications that reflect its dedication to quality and precision, including ISO13485:2016, AS9100D/ISO9001:2015, NADCAP for PCB Assemblies, ITAR Compliance, RoHS, Reach, and ATEX|ex QAN. These certifications exemplify the company’s promise of delivering exceptional results in every project.
Driving Innovation and Partnership
The industry evolves at an unmatched pace, requiring continuous investment in the latest equipment and automation technologies. Staying ahead of obsolescence is also crucial to ensuring that customers’ products are delivered on time and to the right place. While Matric Group leverages some third-party software, it has also developed internal controls that are shared and utilized at no additional cost when customers partner with the company.
Beyond its PCB services, Matric Group offers a full suite of capabilities, including comprehensive engineering, cable and harness assembly, and aftermarket support. The company strives to build lasting partnerships, guiding customers’ products from initial conception all the way to market success.
Continuous Improvement through Customer Feedback
Customer service feedback plays a crucial role in helping Matric Group assess and improve its processes, fostering positive, proactive relationships with customers. The company employs a variety of methods, including internal report cards and external customer surveys, to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.
By maintaining continuous communication with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and customers, Matric Group stays focused on the latest technological advancements and their integration into its service offerings.
Matric has also formed strategic partnerships with top customers to customize assembly lines and provide comprehensive testing and simulations, reducing the likelihood of out-of-box failures, particularly in rugged and non-failure environments.
Future-Ready Technologies
Matric Group takes a comprehensive and developmental approach to employee training, ensuring a skilled workforce ready to thrive in a competitive market. By combining structured training programs with hands-on experience and mentorship, Matric Group effectively nurtures talent and maintains a workforce equipped to meet industry demands. This approach ensures that training initiatives are not only effective but also continuously improved to align with both workforce needs and market trends.
Looking ahead, one of the key trends Matric Group is increasingly investing in is 3D printing technology. This technology allows for prototyping and conceptual designs using a variety of materials. The company’s 3D printers have proven invaluable in creating quick models for testing or custom prototypes, eliminating the need for costly custom metal fixtures and avoiding the delays and high costs of expedited services.
With expanded facilities, enhanced training, and a strong commitment to sustainability, Matric Group is well-positioned to meet future challenges and deliver outstanding value to its customers.