I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Like a bad penny, COVID-19 just keeps coming back and affecting the PCB industry. This week, we saw more industry events going fully virtual—a trend that’s likely to continue. But as Chris Mitchell explains, the COVID-19 outbreak is also forcing lawmakers and organizations to work together for the good of the U.S. electronics supply chain. Sometimes, it takes a crisis to make everyone cooperate, so let’s celebrate these little victories.

There was also news from China, a great column by Mehul Davé on why globalization may be one more victim of COVID-19, and Happy Holden’s ranking of the top fab-producing countries by technology and production levels.

Next week, check the Friday edition of our Daily Newsletter for Nolan Johnson’s picks.

The Big Picture: COVID-19 Helps Kill Globalization

Published July 13

Mehul Davé hit a home run with his latest column—a must-read for everyone involved in electronics design and manufacturing. Mehul takes the reader, step by step, through several recent events—caused or at least exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak—that he believes signal the end of globalization. While this could lead to more electronics manufacturing staying in the U.S., Mehul outlines a variety of potential downsides that could affect U.S. companies which engage in international trade.

Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials Goes Virtual

Published July 13

In a year that’s already one of the craziest on record, counterfeit parts suppliers continue to wreak havoc in our industry. The SMTA and the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) announced that their annual Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Material would be a completely virtual event, scheduled for August 4–6, 2020. The free exhibition will take place August from 4–5. Expect most, if not all, of the trade shows you usually attend to be virtual well into next year.

 Just Ask Happy: Ranking the Top Countries by Fab Technology and Production

Published July 13

The “Just Ask Happy” series has drawn questions from technologists around the world, covering everything from HDI design tips to fabrication trends. In one of our most-read articles of the past week, a reader asked Happy Holden to rank the top countries by fabrication production and technology levels—now and in 10 years. Note how Germany and China fare over time in Happy’s outlook. Remember: some organizations would charge you a pretty penny for information like this. If you want to know more, click here to “Just Ask Happy!”

SCHMID Group Will Relocate Its Main Chinese Plant

Published July 14

As China continues to fight the stigma of COVID-19, foreign manufacturers must grapple with changes in regulations that can cost them millions. The SCHMID Group is moving its main Chinese factory out of Zhuhai’s free trade zone after the government began focusing more on attracting commercial companies. SCHMID Group’s facility will serve the local China market—a model that’s out of step with the free trade zone, at least for now.

The Government Circuit: Renewed Focus on Worldwide Supply Chain Amid COVID-19

Published July 15

COVID-19 just won’t go away, and its effects are being felt at each point in the supply chain. IPC VP of Global Government Affairs Chris Mitchell examines a number of initiatives by IPC and members of Congress to strengthen the supply chain for critical industries in the U.S., such as defense. One bill calls for funding to help increase semiconductor production in the U.S. Is it possible that our industry could see numerous “silver linings” in the wake of COVID-19?