Standard of Excellence: Delivering Excellence—A Daily Goal
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
The Knowledge Base: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow With EMAC
IPC EMS Leadership Summit: Peer Solutions to Supply Chain and Labor Development
March 2, 2022 | Tracy Riggan, IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EMS leaders gathered for the EMS Leadership Summit on Monday, January 24 at IPC APEX EXPO. Expert and peer presentations on priorities ranging from the economy to the supply chain, cybersecurity, and software were interspersed with peer-to-peer discussions on several key topics.
Supply Chain Challenges a Top Concern
Though the Supply Chain panel consisting of Tom Edman, TTM Technologies Inc.; Alex Iuorio, Avnet; and Tom Vanderheyden, TTI, Inc. could not provide a clear end to the current supply chain constraint, the EMS audience was grateful for an open and spirited discussion. The panel suggested that a Just in Time (JIT) strategy will need to be used in combination with other strategies like managed inventory, and that design owners will need to be more active in the future.
All agreed that steps can be taken to improve the situation, including automation of forecasting, programs to mitigate cash problems, and most importantly, building relationships with distributors and manufacturers. The panel encouraged the audience to provide more visibility and insights through web-based services to allow them to help drive better decisions and be trusted advisors. As Vanderheyden commented, “True partners manage through a crisis together.”
Economic and Policy Impacts Highlighted
IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac provided a comprehensive overview of the current economic and supply chain situation, commenting that while the supply chain crisis has probably peaked, a lot will remain elevated. Jack Calderon and Chaim Lubin, Lincoln International, also shared that there is a high level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity with EMS consolidations rising significantly and market values increasing, though market valuations are being challenged under current supply chain conditions and are expected to level off. Additionally, they shared that the “super-cycle” will continue to be a key driver of industry growth and M&A.
Chris Mitchell, IPC’s vice president of global government relations, shared the stage with colleagues Alison James and consultant Jared Weaver of Salt Point Strategies to update the group on the many relevant advocacy initiatives and activities both in the U.S. and globally. Weaver delved into legislative developments around the U.S Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), the CHIPS Act, and the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act.
Mitchell and James covered environment and trade regulations and stressed the importance of knowing European regulatory initiatives, even for those not directly engaged with customers in the EU. Mitchell updated the group on North American-focused activities, including original research like IPC’s recent 2021 North American Advanced Packaging Report and new research on the loss of the PCB industry in the U.S., “Preventing the Loss of Another Key U.S. Industry Requires a Holistic Solution to the Semiconductor Crisis.” Member supporters of IPC advocacy initiatives confirmed IPC’s increasingly influential voice in Washington.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2022 Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/27/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007While news outside our industry keeps our attention occupied, the big news inside the industry is the rechristening of IPC as the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads begins with Marcy LaRont’s exclusive and informative interview with Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. For designers, have we finally reached the point in time where autorouters will fulfill their potential?
Reflections and Priorities: An Update to I-Connect007 Readers
06/24/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007The electronics and manufacturing industry is evolving rapidly—with new technologies, deeper global connections, and a growing drive toward sustainability. To reflect these changes and our place in this dynamic space, we’re refreshing our brand.
The Knowledge Base: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow With EMAC
06/24/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseAs the electronics manufacturing industry races to meet rising global demand and technological complexity, the need for a highly skilled, future-ready workforce has never been greater. At the forefront of addressing this challenge is The Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC)—a national initiative dedicated to strengthening the talent pipeline through strategic collaboration with SMTA, education, and government stakeholders.
IPC Rebrands as Global Electronics Association: Interview With Dr. John W. Mitchell
06/22/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Today, following a major announcement, IPC is embracing the rapid advancement of technology with a bold decision to change its name to the Global Electronics Association. This name more accurately reflects the full breadth of its work and the modern realities of electronics manufacturing. In this exclusive interview, Global Electronics Association President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell shares the story behind the rebrand: Why now, what it means for the industry, and how it aligns with the organization’s mission.
Global Electronics Association Debuts; New Name Elevates IPC’s 70-Year Legacy as Voice of $6 Trillion Electronics Industry
06/25/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationToday begins a new chapter for IPC as it officially becomes the Global Electronics Association, reflecting its role as the voice of the electronics industry. Guided by the vision of “Better electronics for a better world,” the Global Electronics Association (electronics.org) is dedicated to enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting accelerated growth through engagement with more than 3,000 member companies, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments across the globe.