-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Here and Abroad, Governments Investing in Industry
December 12, 2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I recently spoke with IPC’s Chris Mitchell, VP of global government relations, and Rich Cappetto, senior director for North American government relations. Rich joined IPC this summer after serving as chief customer officer of the U.S. House of Representatives; he holds a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
I asked Chris and Rich to share their views on government investment in PCB manufacturing in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. They discuss how U.S. companies can tap into some of the federal and state funding, some of which remains unclaimed.
Nolan Johnson: Chris and Rich, from your roles in IPC Government Relations, I’m sure you have unique perspectives on the interrelationships between the economy and incentive legislation. What are you seeing at the moment?
Chris Mitchell: Here in the U.S., we talk mostly about the CHIPS Act. Obviously, there are other initiatives underway elsewhere in the world. Earlier this year, Europe finalized its own version of the CHIPS Act. Japan is in the process of making its own big investments in its domestic chip industry. There is a bit of global competition around leadership in the semiconductor industry.
The question is always, “What does all of this have to do with the PCB and EMS supplier industries?” It would be great to be able to have a more positive message to send to the industry. But right now, it's hazy at best, and perhaps not all that consequential at worst, because we're still seeing this singular focus on the semiconductor industry with what I regard as only rhetorical overtures toward supporting the wider ecosystem. That’s certainly true here in the U.S.
It's notable that the recent Calumet award was a DoD investment and not CHIPS Act money. Here in the U.S., apart from some very broad statements that the Secretary of Commerce has made about support for the PCB ecosystem, we're still not seeing any real specificity about how this act will be used to catalyze a resurgence across the industry. That’s a real missed opportunity because these funds could be utilized to create greater economic activity and technical capacity across the ecosystem.
In Europe, it's a somewhat similar dynamic. Europe is additionally challenged by the fact that, unlike the United States, the financing of its Chips Act was muddier. The European Chips Act had a lot more to do with adjusting the competitive rules within the single market so that EU countries could allocate funding to support the chip industry. That has led to a question across the continent about how the various European governments will choose (or not) to make investments in the chip industry.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the December 2023 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
American Standard Circuits/ASC Sunstone Circuits Showcase Cutting-edge Technology at PCB East 2024
05/21/2024 | American Standard CircuitsAmerican Standard Circuits (ASC) and ASC Sunstone Circuits are excited to announce their participation in PCB East 2024, a premier event for the printed circuit board and electronics design industry. The event will take place from June 4-6, 2024, at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Boxborough, MA.
Jabil Announces Leadership Transitions
05/20/2024 | JabilJabil Inc. announced a number of senior leadership transitions that are effective immediately. Michael Dastoor, who has been serving as Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Danutek Celebrates 20 Anniversary
05/20/2024 | DanutekDanutek, a leading supplier of capital equipment and service support to the electronics manufacturing sector in Europe, proudly marks its 20th anniversary this year.
It’s Only Common Sense: More Great Business Ideas from ‘Breaking Bad’
05/20/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseI was cruising around YouTube the other day and came across a 10-year reunion of the cast of “Breaking Bad.” What a great show. So, I searched through my streaming channels, landed on the series, and started rewatching it. Then I remembered I had written a column about business ideas from the show. Once I re-read my column, I realized I had not even touched the surface of all the great advice in both business and life that one could get from that great series.
SPEA Expands in Southeast Asia with New Subsidiary in Thailand
05/17/2024 | SPEASPEA, a global leader in automatic test equipment for the manufacturing of semiconductor, microelectronic and electronic devices, today announced the opening of its new subsidiary in Thailand. This expansion marks a significant step forward in SPEA's commitment to serving the growing Southeast Asian microchip and electronics market with leading-edge manufacturing machinery and equipment.