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Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
Voices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
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Geopolitics Reshapes the Global PCB Landscape as Trump 2.0 Looms
February 6, 2025 | TPCAEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The global PCB industry is undergoing a period of significant transformation driven by geopolitical shifts, protectionism, and supply chain restructuring. The US-China trade war has intensified, prompting companies to diversify manufacturing and navigate a complex landscape. The US PCB market, valued at $3.98 billion in 2024, is experiencing growth driven by defense, aerospace, and data center demands. Policies like the National Defense Authorization Act and the Chips and Science Act are fueling domestic production, with companies like TTM investing in US-based manufacturing. However, US production capacity remains limited, relying heavily on imports from Taiwan and China.
In Europe, the PCB market faces challenges from high labor and energy costs, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war. The EU's FOUCSING initiative aims to establish a robust, independent supply chain for high-end PCBs in space and industrial sectors. India's PCB market, while small, is attracting foreign investment due to government incentives. However, infrastructure bottlenecks, unstable power supply, and talent shortages hinder growth.
Southeast Asia is emerging as a key hub for PCB manufacturing, with Thailand poised to become the region's largest producer. Vietnam, a key electronics manufacturing center, is also attracting significant investment. Malaysia, a leader in semiconductor packaging, is attracting investments in substrate manufacturing.
The Trump 2.0 era is expected to intensify geopolitical pressure, with potential for stricter export controls and increased tariffs. This will further complicate global supply chains and impact the competitive landscape for PCB manufacturers. The future of the global PCB industry will be characterized by regional competition and cooperation, with companies navigating complex geopolitical and economic factors.
Suggested Items
Murray Percival Company Welcomes CeTaQ to Its Line Card, Optimizing SMT Processes for PCB Manufacturers
07/03/2025 | Murray Percival CompanyThe Murray Percival Company, a trusted supplier to the Midwest's electronics industry, is pleased to announce that it has added CeTaQ to its line card, a global expert in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) measurement systems.
Why I Finally Embraced Autorouting
07/03/2025 | Stephen V. Chavez, Siemens EDAHere is a common misconception held by those who don’t fully understand the PCB layout process or how to wield today’s high-level EDA tools: "All I need to do is push the autorouter button, let the computer route all the signal traces, and get the layout 100% routed. It’s a no-brainer. Anyone can do it. It should take less than a few hours.”
China Plus One, Part 3: Inorsen Group, a Vietnam Success Story
07/03/2025 | Manfred Huschka, Manfred Huschka Management Consulting (Shenzhen) Ltd.In recent years, Western OEMs have continued to push for China Plus One factories and the advancement of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At present, there are two main modes for PCB companies to go global: building greenfield factories or through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Thailand is currently the primary geographic choice to build greenfield factories, whereas, increasingly, mergers and acquisitions in Vietnam and Malaysia provide opportunities for companies to expand markets and acquire resources.
Symposium Review: Qnity, DuPont, and Insulectro Forge Ahead with Advanced Materials
07/02/2025 | Barb Hockaday, I-Connect007In a dynamic and informative Innovation Symposium hosted live and on Zoom on June 25, 2025, representatives from Qnity (formerly DuPont Electronics), DuPont, and Insulectro discussed the evolving landscape of flexible circuit materials. From strategic corporate changes to cutting-edge polymer films, the session offered deep insight into design challenges, reliability, and next-gen solutions shaping the electronics industry.
Target Condition: Are Autorouters Friend or Foe?
07/01/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionFor PCB designers, just hearing the word “autorouters” can trigger everything from eye rolls to heated debate. We all have stories—some painful, some comical—of boards gone sideways at the hands of an overzealous routing algorithm. But these tools aren’t going away, and frankly, they shouldn’t. Used wisely, they can save some project teams hours or even days. Used blindly, they can cost weeks. So, where do autorouting tools stand today, and is interactive routing the smarter path forward?