Trouble in Your Tank: Organic Addition Agents in Electrolytic Copper Plating
It’s Only Common Sense: Selling During an Economic Downturn
Marcy’s Musings: Can You Hear the Voices?
IPC EMS Leadership Summit: Peer Solutions to Supply Chain and Labor Development
March 2, 2022 | Tracy Riggan, IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EMS leaders gathered for the EMS Leadership Summit on Monday, January 24 at IPC APEX EXPO. Expert and peer presentations on priorities ranging from the economy to the supply chain, cybersecurity, and software were interspersed with peer-to-peer discussions on several key topics.
Supply Chain Challenges a Top Concern
Though the Supply Chain panel consisting of Tom Edman, TTM Technologies Inc.; Alex Iuorio, Avnet; and Tom Vanderheyden, TTI, Inc. could not provide a clear end to the current supply chain constraint, the EMS audience was grateful for an open and spirited discussion. The panel suggested that a Just in Time (JIT) strategy will need to be used in combination with other strategies like managed inventory, and that design owners will need to be more active in the future.
All agreed that steps can be taken to improve the situation, including automation of forecasting, programs to mitigate cash problems, and most importantly, building relationships with distributors and manufacturers. The panel encouraged the audience to provide more visibility and insights through web-based services to allow them to help drive better decisions and be trusted advisors. As Vanderheyden commented, “True partners manage through a crisis together.”
Economic and Policy Impacts Highlighted
IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac provided a comprehensive overview of the current economic and supply chain situation, commenting that while the supply chain crisis has probably peaked, a lot will remain elevated. Jack Calderon and Chaim Lubin, Lincoln International, also shared that there is a high level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity with EMS consolidations rising significantly and market values increasing, though market valuations are being challenged under current supply chain conditions and are expected to level off. Additionally, they shared that the “super-cycle” will continue to be a key driver of industry growth and M&A.
Chris Mitchell, IPC’s vice president of global government relations, shared the stage with colleagues Alison James and consultant Jared Weaver of Salt Point Strategies to update the group on the many relevant advocacy initiatives and activities both in the U.S. and globally. Weaver delved into legislative developments around the U.S Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), the CHIPS Act, and the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act.
Mitchell and James covered environment and trade regulations and stressed the importance of knowing European regulatory initiatives, even for those not directly engaged with customers in the EU. Mitchell updated the group on North American-focused activities, including original research like IPC’s recent 2021 North American Advanced Packaging Report and new research on the loss of the PCB industry in the U.S., “Preventing the Loss of Another Key U.S. Industry Requires a Holistic Solution to the Semiconductor Crisis.” Member supporters of IPC advocacy initiatives confirmed IPC’s increasingly influential voice in Washington.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2022 Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Flex Wins Two 2025 PACE Awards for Innovation in Automotive Compute and Power Electronics
04/22/2025 | PRNewswireFlex was named a two-time 2025 Automotive News PACE Award winner at the awards ceremony on April 15, recognized for its industry-leading Jupiter Compute Platform and Backup DC/DC Converter design platforms.
UHDI Fundamentals: UHDI Drives Unique IoT Innovation in Farming
04/22/2025 | Anaya Vardya, American Standard CircuitsThe combination of UHDI's high-bandwidth capabilities and IoT's real-time data processing can lead to more efficient, immersive, and smarter IoT systems. This convergence of two revolutionary technologies is enabling quantum advancements in some very “unconventional” applications. The typical discussions around UHDI focus on our standard electronics industry market segments like milaero, medical, consumer electronics, etc. IoT is all about machines talking to other machines, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, but again, typically applied in our PCB and assembly operations.
Neways Firmly Expands Defense Business
04/21/2025 | NewaysNeways Electronics, the global innovator in mission-critical electronics, foresees very strong growth in its defense-related activities in the near term.
Wiring the World Together: IPC and WHMA Unveil Global Wire Harness Competitions and Championship
04/21/2025 | IPCIPC, in collaboration with the Wiring Harness Manufacturer's Association (WHMA), has organized the first-ever World Wire Harness Competitions and Championship.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Show Wrap Up–A Review with John Mitchell
04/21/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOMarcy LaRont sits down with Dr. John W. Mitchell on the last day of IPC APEX EXPO 2025, marking its 25th anniversary. They highlight the event's success and specifically recognize this year's technical conference and professional development tracks. They also discuss AI's role in electronics, as Mitchell urges professionals to improve their skills around AI to keep themselves valuable and relevant. AI is here to stay! He touches upon tariffs and promotes a diverse supply chain, emphasizing the essential ingredient of collaboration for mutual success. Ending on sustainability, he discusses IPC's launch of the Evolve program showcasing the industry's commitment to sustainability.