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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.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
February 4, 2022 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The last time I was in this space, we were busy preparing for our extensive coverage of IPC APEX EXPO, so now I have the honors of compiling the news from the week following the event. We often use the phrase “busy news week” in these compendiums, but this week I have metrics—25% more news items published this week at I-Connect007 than our weekly average. All the more reason to read the website newsfeeds and newsletters, but also all the more reason for me to bring you the best of the best from the past week.
This week we include the IPC reports on both PCB and EMS industry sales. We also highlight three of the Real Time with… interviews from the APEX show floor. There was quite a lot more news that would have made this list on any other week, so be sure to visit the I-Connect007 website to see all our coverage.
Also, look for our special edition “Real Time With ….” magazine issue for IPC APEX EXPO 2022 to publish in the next several days. You will find complete show coverage, including news, interviews, awards, the designers competition, committee coverage, several photo galleries, our thoughts and impressions on the show, and so much more, It’s one of our favorite issues to put together and I’m sure you’ll agree that nothing else compares to it.
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 16.9% in December
Published January 31
IPC chief economist, Shawn DuBravac summarized it thus, "PCB bookings rose sharply in December 2021, the strongest month of bookings since December 2005.” For more details, read the news item here, and access the full report at the IPC website.
North American EMS Industry Up 0.9% in December
Published January 31
Total North American EMS shipments in December 2021 were up 0.9 percent compared to the same month last year. Compared to the preceding month, December shipments rose 8.0 percent. Click through for more details.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO: John Mitchell Shares Thoughts on the Show
Published January 31
John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of IPC, shares his thoughts with Barry Matties about the return of the in-person IPC APEX EXPO after a two-year hiatus. John and Barry agree that they were pleasantly surprised at the sheer volume of machinery that made it through the shipping hurdles and onto the show floor. Attendees were there to do business and to learn how to improve their processes.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO: Update From PCBAA
Published February 1
We’re closely following this new association, so we appreciated this opportunity to sit down with PCBAA Chairman Travis Kelly to discuss their recent activities and plans for the future. The Printed Circuit Board Association of America is focused on advocating for manufacturing in America. To help keep you up to date, follow Travis’s column in PCB007 Magazine.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO: Advocacy in Washington
Published February 1
While at IPC APEX EXPO, I had an opportunity for a visit with Chris Mitchell, vice president of global government relations at IPC. Just like with PCBAA, we discussed the industry's advocacy in Washington to educate Congress on our key issues, as well as the growth in global advocacy by IPC. With the passage of legislation such as the CHIPS Act, we know Congress is starting to pay attention, so our lobbying voice is more important than ever.
Suggested Items
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.
Magnalytix and Foresite to Host Technical Webinar on SIR Testing and Functional Reliability
06/26/2025 | MAGNALYTIXMagnalytix, in collaboration with Foresite Inc., is pleased to announce an upcoming one-hour Webinar Workshop titled “Comparing SIR IPC B-52 to Umpire 41 Functional & SIR Test Method.” This session will be held on July 24, 2025, and is open to professionals in electronics manufacturing, reliability engineering, and process development seeking insights into new testing standards for climatic reliability.
IPC Rebrands as Global Electronics Association: Interview With Dr. John W. Mitchell
06/22/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Today, following a major announcement, IPC is embracing the rapid advancement of technology with a bold decision to change its name to the Global Electronics Association. This name more accurately reflects the full breadth of its work and the modern realities of electronics manufacturing. In this exclusive interview, Global Electronics Association President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell shares the story behind the rebrand: Why now, what it means for the industry, and how it aligns with the organization’s mission.
Global Electronics Association Debuts; New Name Elevates IPC’s 70-Year Legacy as Voice of $6 Trillion Electronics Industry
06/25/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationToday begins a new chapter for IPC as it officially becomes the Global Electronics Association, reflecting its role as the voice of the electronics industry. Guided by the vision of “Better electronics for a better world,” the Global Electronics Association (electronics.org) is dedicated to enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting accelerated growth through engagement with more than 3,000 member companies, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments across the globe.
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.