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EMS companies need advanced software systems to thrive and compete. But these systems require significant effort to integrate and deploy. What is the reality, and how can we make it easier for everyone?
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We invite you on a virtual tour of India’s thriving ecosystem, guided by the Global Electronics Association’s India office staff, who share their insights into the region’s growth and opportunities.
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Trump Administration Considers Suspension of Conflict Minerals Regulation
February 13, 2017 | IPCEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
The Trump Administration is considering an executive order that would suspend the SEC conflict minerals rule for two years. Under the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, the president has the authority to temporarily suspend or revise the rule for two years if it is in the national security interest of the United States.
An unsourced draft White House memo that cites national security interests, temporarily suspends the federal conflict minerals law for a period of two years. The draft also directs the Secretaries of State and Treasury to:
“Propose to the President a plan for addressing human rights violations and funding of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. The plan could include targeting persons and entities engaged in violations of law and negative human rights impacts, consistent with section 13 of the Exchange Act. The Secretaries shall submit their plan to the President within 180 days of the date of this Order.”
As previously reported on January 31, 2017, Acting Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Michael S. Piwowar directed the SEC staff to consider whether their 2014 guidance is still appropriate and whether any additional relief is appropriate.
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Catching Up With Mark Wood, Microart Services
10/08/2025 | Dan Beaulieu, D.B. Management GroupMicroart Services has been in business for over 40 years, growing from a design PCB layout company to a full-service EMS company focused on serving its customer base with standard and custom solutions. I’ve heard from my rep friends, their competitors, and even my Canadian PCB friends that Microart is “one of the best EMS companies in North America.” That’s why I decided to speak with CEO Mark Wood to discover the secret to his company's success.
The Chemical Connection: The Practice of Doing Business in Foreign Lands
10/01/2025 | Don Ball -- Column: The Chemical ConnectionForeign sales can be difficult and complicated, but like many U.S. companies, we deal with foreign customers through a series of authorized sales reps. We have one that covers Europe and several covering various Asian countries. We have two technical coordinators in the U.S., one who oversees Asian activities and one who covers Europe and the rest of the world.
Walt Custer: Making Data Interesting
09/03/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I just learned that IPC Hall of Famer Walt Custer has passed away at 81. I first met Walt about 20 years ago when I started covering the fabrication industry. Right away, he started telling me which companies to watch and which trends to follow. This was in the years following 9/11, and things were still pretty fluid.
Industry Icon Walt Custer Passes Away
09/02/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWe regret to announce that Walt Custer passed away on Aug. 30, 2025. Walt’s son, Jonathan, shared the following: I am in complete shock that my dad, Walt Custer, is gone, and I am comforted that he died peacefully at 81 years old. Walt built CCG from the ground up 26 years ago, guided by his passion, hard work, and commitment to the printed circuit board community. His dedication not only established our company, but he frequently shared his experience as a chemist and industry executive veteran to provide market insights as an analyst, an avid speaker, a magazine columnist, a board and committee member and a data contributor for the electronics manufacturing community.
September 2025 SMT007 Magazine: An Eye on India
09/02/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIndia is on track to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy within the next two years, and that momentum is already reshaping its electronics manufacturing sector. Whether you work with Indian suppliers or serve Indian customers, chances are the country will become a bigger part of your supply chain in the near future.