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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
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Help IPC Persuade U.S. Congress to Extend the R&D Tax Credit
December 4, 2015 | John Hasselmann, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute

IPC has long urged the U.S. Congress to enact a permanent research and development tax credit – or at least a multi-year extension, not just the usual temporary, one-year deal – and to provide that certainty sooner, not at the last minute. Only a permanent credit will spur the kind of long-term R&D that is critical to the competitiveness of the U.S. electronics industry in the global economy. The R&D tax credit was one of the key issues raised last April during IMPACT 2015, our annual event in which IPC member executives meet with top policy makers in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, congressional leaders still have not been able to reach agreement on how to extend the R&D tax credit — which expired on December 31, 2014, and more than 50 other tax provisions that have expired or will expire by December 31. The proverbial “last minute” has arrived.
Within the coming days, congressional leaders are slated to discuss the best path forward, whether it be making some of the provisions permanent or simply extending all of them in a one- or two-year package. A one-year retroactive extension, which would include only 2015, simply continues the uncertainty that businesses face.
At this point, Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has stated that a one-year extension is off the table but could resurface if a larger agreement is not reached.
Please take a moment now to contact your elected officials and urge them to extend the R&D tax credit without delay. Please feel free to use our suggested text or to craft your own message.
You can also join the conversation on Twitter; be sure to use the hashtag #JobsandGrowth and your elected representatives’ Twitter handles. Example: “Hey, Congress: Extend the R&D tax credit now! #JobsandGrowth @MEMBEROFCONGRESS HANDLE”
Please contact Ken Schramko, IPC director, government relations, if you need help with contact information for your elected official or if you have any questions.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/20/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007It’s been a busy week in this industry, and we have news and articles from the PCB design, fabrication and assembly communities. Some of this news is out of this world. We may be losing the high ground—the really high ground. Columnist Jesse Vaughan explains how the U.S. seems to be falling behind in space, and how this could affect our ability to defend ourselves in the future. We have an update on the U.S.-China tariff talks, which seem to be moving forward, though sometimes at a snail’s pace.
New IPC VP Joe Schneider Building Stronger Focus on U.S., Canada
06/19/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007IPC has hired Joe Schneider as a vice president to strengthen its regional focus and address the specific needs in the U.S. and Canada. Joe brings a rich background in OEM and contract manufacturing, including with industry giants like Siemens and Abbott Laboratories. In this interview, he shares his vision for the region, which emphasizes workforce development and supply chain challenges.
IPC Update on the Latest U.S.– China Trade Announcement
06/18/2025 | IPCOn June 12, the Trump Administration announced an agreement to implement the framework of the trade deal with China reached earlier in May. Reports indicate the following high-level terms: A 55% combined tariff on imports from China, 10% “reciprocal” tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 20% IEEPA-based fentanyl tariffs, and Existing Section 301 tariffs, which in many cases are 25%.
STI Celebrates Travis Wease’s 10 Years of Dedicated Service
06/17/2025 | STI Electronics, Inc.STI Electronics, Inc., a full-service organization providing training services, training materials, analytical/failure analysis, prototyping, and contract electronic manufacturing, proudly celebrated the 10-year work anniversary of Travis Wease, Master Instructor and valued team member.
A.R.T. Ltd. Supports Release of IPC-A-600M
06/17/2025 | A.R.T. Ltd.Advanced Rework Technology Ltd. (A.R.T. Ltd.), a leading provider of IPC-certified training and IPC authorised distributor, announces the release and availability of IPC-A-600M, the latest revision of the industry’s definitive standard for printed board acceptability.