Why We Acquired Quarter Century Design Expanding Our Design Capabilities and Strengthening Customer Relationships

At USA Firmware, our growth strategy is intentional: expand capabilities where it directly improves outcomes for our customers.

Our acquisition of Quarter Century Design (QCD), a highly experienced PCB design services firm, reflects that strategy in a focused and meaningful way.

This move strengthens not only what we build—but how we engage with the people we build it for.

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The Reason Behind the Acquisition

Quarter Century Design has built its reputation over decades by delivering high-quality PCB design services across a wide range of industries. Their work sits at a critical point in every hardware product: the foundation.

We recognized two key opportunities:

1. Strengthening the Hardware Foundation

PCB design is not a peripheral function—it is central to product reliability, manufacturability, and performance.

By bringing QCD into USA Firmware, we:

• Expand our capabilities directly into PCB design
• Improve coordination between hardware design and firmware development
• Reduce friction between design stages that are traditionally siloed

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2. Preserving and Leveraging Proven Expertise

QCD represents decades of practical design knowledge that cannot be easily replicated.

Rather than rebuilding that expertise from scratch, we chose to integrate a team that already delivers:

• Production-ready PCB layouts
• Design-for-manufacturing insight
• Consistent, experience-driven execution

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Strategic Alignment: Hardware + Firmware Under One Roof

This acquisition allows USA Firmware to move closer to a more complete engineering model.

Tighter Integration Between PCB and Firmware

By aligning PCB design with firmware development, we can:

• Identify issues earlier in the design cycle
• Improve signal integrity and system performance
• Reduce costly redesigns and iteration cycles

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A More Cohesive Development Process

Instead of fragmented workflows across vendors, we can now provide:

• Better communication across disciplines
• Faster iteration between board design and firmware validation
• More predictable project timelines

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A Unique Advantage: Direct Customer Engagement

One of the most valuable aspects of this acquisition is the opportunity to engage QCD’s existing client base in a more direct and meaningful way.

Through this integration, USA Firmware gains the ability to:

• Meet QCD clients in person
• Build stronger, trust-based relationships
• Introduce our broader suite of services beyond PCB design

This is not about replacing relationships—it’s about expanding them.

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Expanding Value for QCD Clients

QCD clients will now have access to the full capabilities of USA Firmware, including:

• Firmware development and optimization
• Embedded software support
• Engineering staffing and augmentation services
• Long-term product lifecycle support

This creates a natural extension:

From PCB design → to complete system development → to ongoing support

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What This Means for USA Firmware Customers

For our existing customers, this acquisition delivers immediate benefits:

Expanded Capabilities

• In-house PCB design services
• Stronger hardware/firmware alignment
• More complete engineering solutions

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Improved Project Efficiency

• Reduced handoffs between external vendors
• Faster iteration cycles
• Better cross-functional collaboration

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Higher Quality Outcomes

• Designs optimized from board layout through firmware
• Fewer late-stage issues
• More reliable end products

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Cultural Fit and Execution

Beyond capability, QCD aligns with how we operate:

• Detail-oriented engineering
• Practical, production-focused design
• Long-term thinking over short-term shortcuts

This ensures the integration strengthens our standards rather than diluting them.

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Looking Forward

This acquisition represents a deliberate step toward a more complete engineering organization.

By adding PCB design to our core capabilities and deepening our relationships with customers, we are positioning USA Firmware to deliver:

• More integrated solutions
• Stronger partnerships
• Better long-term outcomes

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Closing

Quarter Century Design enhances both our technical capabilities and our ability to connect with customers.

It allows us to:

• Build better hardware
• Deliver more complete solutions
• Engage more directly with the people we serve

And most importantly, it ensures that as USA Firmware grows, we continue to increase the value we deliver at every stage of the product lifecycle.

Bob Scaccia

CEO & Founder

10060 Brecksville Road

Brecksville, Ohio 44141