On the Record with Nick Konidaris

This is a follow-up interview with one of the CEOs of a mid-market firm who participated in The Conference Board CEO Challenge® 2012, Nick Konidaris, President and CEO of Electro Scientific Industries (ESI). ESI is a pioneer in the making of laser-based equipment used in manufacturing and inspecting chips for electronic products, and produces equipment for manufacturers in four industries: smart consumer electronics, semiconductors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and solar panels. It deals heavily in the Asia-Pacific region where it faces competition from state-subsidized entities and private companies, which is explored in this report.

In this interview Konidaris also discusses more in depth: innovation, government regulations' effect on his business, partnering with customers, the effect of differing economic conditions in Europe and the United States on business in Asia-Pacific, and the challenge of protecting proprietary ideas.