Beyond Design: The Fundamental Structure of Spectral Integrity
Elementary, Mr. Watson: High Power: When Physics Becomes Real
The Shaughnessy Report: Watt About Power Integrity?
IPC Commends President Biden for Executive Order on Industrial Supply Chains
February 24, 2021 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
IPC commends President Biden for ordering a review of industrial supply chains critical to U.S. economic growth, innovation, and security.
The crippling shortage of semiconductor chips underscores the economic and national security importance of restoring U.S. leadership in electronics manufacturing.
The U.S. printed circuit board industry, which once accounted for more than 30 percent of total global production, today accounts for less than 5 percent. Only four of the top 20 electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies are based in the United States.
Since around 2000, the drive for low-cost electronics has pushed hardware manufacturing offshore, often to countries that understood the strategic importance of electronics manufacturing and heavily promoted and subsidized the growth of their domestic industries.
But this drawdown in American manufacturing has increased volatility and undermined the supply chains that are critical for electronics manufacturing and other sectors to operate smoothly. And this isn’t the first time that we’ve experienced shortages as a result. During the pandemic, a shortage in printed circuit boards slowed the production of ventilators when hospitals around the world were in desperate need. As the Biden administration undertakes its review of U.S. supply chains, IPC urges it to recognize two important realities about electronics manufacturing:
- Electronics manufacturing is a foundation for the manufacturing sector across the U.S. economy. Virtually every other sector relies on electronics to greater or lesser extent.
- U.S. leaders must see the electronics supply chain as an ecosystem. All segments of the electronics industry must be strong for the entire ecosystem to thrive. Semiconductor fabrication is just one segment in a sophisticated, global supply chain for electronics.
The good news is that the time is ripe for greater U.S. government support of manufacturing. The industry is on the cusp of transformation, powered by artificial intelligence, automation, quantum computing, and blockchain technologies. With U.S. government support, American companies will find new opportunities to compete in the global marketplace while creating new, skilled jobs for American workers.
The review ordered by President Biden should assess electronics manufacturing holistically. Praiseworthy investments in semiconductor manufacturing (including those envisioned in the CHIPS for America Act) also require investments in other segments of the industry. The government should support the industry’s migration to the factory of the future by creating and sustaining programs to drive capital expenditures, workforce education and credentialing, research and development of core technologies, and more robust domestic availability of raw materials.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
Road to Reliability: Mapping the EV Landscape: Markets, Platforms, and Powertrains
10/28/2025 | Stanton Rak, SF Rak Companye-Mobility is the defining transformation of 21st-century transportation. As legacy OEMs, startups, and governments race to electrify vehicle fleets, the landscape of e-Mobility is expanding into previously unimaginable territory. But with innovation comes complexity, and with complexity, a need for systems that are not only high-performing but also reliably engineered for the long haul. Understanding the diversity and scale of the EV marketplace is essential to grasping the reliability challenges ahead. From compact urban commuters to heavy-duty trucks and city buses, each category of EV presents distinct performance demands and environmental challenges that shape both the design of its electronics and the manufacturing processes behind them.
China Plus One: Vietnam and Thailand Manufacturing Solutions
10/28/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineAs U.S. electronics manufacturing companies continue to weigh the “China Plus One” solution as they strategize how best to mitigate the ever-increasing pressures and costs of manufacturing in China, several of these global markets continue to see significant growth in their electronics sectors. Of course, India is among them and was the focus of SMT007 last month. Also among these burgeoning markets are Thailand and Vietnam. One has infrastructure and a more established history of success in manufacturing. The other has a much larger number of eager, young workers. In this article, I break down the pros and cons of each market, including a look at U.S. tariffs and how each country is addressing a significant skilled labor gap to support their electronics manufacturing goals.
Saab Q3 2025 Results: Delivering Sustained Growth
10/28/2025 | SaabOrder bookings for the third quarter amounted to SEK 20,861m (21,173), with strong growth in medium-sized orders.
Plexus Announces Fiscal Q4, Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results
10/27/2025 | Plexus Corp.Plexus Corp announced financial results for our fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 27, 2025, and guidance for our fiscal first quarter ending January 3, 2026.
Incap Group Maintains Strong Profitability Amid Softer Market Conditions in January–September 2025 (Unaudited)
10/27/2025 | IncapIn its unaudited business review, Incap Group reported revenue of EUR 159.3 million and operating profit of EUR 18.4 million for the first nine months of 2025, demonstrating solid profitability and operational resilience despite market uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and project delays.