-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueDon’t Just Survive, Thrive
If we are to be relevant and prosper during these next critical decades in electronics, we must do more than survive. As an industry, we can and must thrive. In this issue, our contributors explore these concepts meant to help you take your business to the next level.
Material Matters
Materials management is nuanced, multifaceted, and requires a holistic systems approach for business success. When building high mix, low volume, and high technology, managing materials and overall cost containment are even greater challenges.
Additive Manufacturing
In this month’s issue, we explore additive manufacturing technology for the PCB fabricator: where it stands today, the true benefits, and where it seems to be headed.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
IPC: Over 100 Industry Executives Urge U.S. Congress to Strengthen Electronics Supply Chain
July 14, 2022 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/4816/3116/8374/supplychain.jpg)
More than 100 top executives representing companies in the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry are urging the U.S. Congress to address critical shortcomings in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry and the entire U.S. electronics supply chain.
The letter, organized by IPC, a global electronics manufacturing association, urged all members of the U.S. House to support H.R. 7677, the Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act of 2022, which would incentivize purchases of domestically produced PCBs as well as industry investments in factories, equipment, workforce training, and research and development (R&D).
The letter stressed that the legislation, introduced by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Blake Moore (R-UT), is critical to rebuilding a severely depleted but still-critical U.S. manufacturing sector; would ease an already strained U.S. supply chain; and would strengthen U.S. national security. PCBs are a critical component of the electronics ecosystem and are as integral to electronics as semiconductors. In fact, electronic systems cannot function without PCBs, and yet the United States is overwhelmingly reliant on non-domestic sources of them and is falling behind in cutting-edge PCB technologies.
“Despite the importance of PCBs to electronics systems, they have been an afterthought to policymakers for decades,” said IPC President and CEO John Mitchell. “This bipartisan legislation, if passed, will stimulate critical investments in PCB research and manufacturing in the United States. We’re glad to see so many industry leaders agree and join us in urging congressional support for this bill.”
A recent IPC report found that the United States has lost its historic dominance in PCB fabrication. Since 2000, U.S. share of global PCB production has fallen from over 30% to just 4%; China now dominates the sector at around 50%. The report also emphasized that any loss of access to non-domestic sources of PCBs would be “catastrophic” to the United States’ ability to produce electronics for weapons systems, communications equipment, medical devices, energy systems, and more.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/26/2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007This week, I’ve been attending Thailand Electronic Circuits Asia 2024. This is the inaugural event, hosted by Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association (HKPCA). Thailand has supported a PCB industry for some time—mostly automotive applications—but the China Plus One dynamic has definitely taken root here.
Hirose Electric Adds Master Electronics as Authorized Distributor
07/25/2024 | HiroseHirose, a leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative connector solutions, has strategically expanded its Americas distribution network to better support its growing customer base. Master Electronics will support the full Hirose line of connector solutions across the Americas.
MKS’ Atotech and ESI Participate in Electronics Circuit Asia in Thailand
07/25/2024 | AtotechMKS Instruments announces its participation at the Electronics Circuit Asia 2024 in Thailand, July 24-26, highlighting its leading brands Atotech® and ESI® and related advances in advanced packaging, package substrate, and printed circuit board manufacturing.
Strip Etch Strip: Episode 9 of On the Line With... Designing for Reality Podcast Now Available
07/25/2024 | I-Connect007Don't miss the latest episode of "On the Line With... Designing for Reality," where we walk through the PCB manufacturing process. At this stage, we have a panel made up of all the internal layers laminated together, through-holes drilled, and the outer layer copper features covered with a protective layer of tin.
Enhance Your Electronics Expertise Through IPC Courses in August
07/25/2024 | Corey Lynn, IPCAs the global leader in standards, training, and certification for the electronics industry, IPC is pleased to announce an array of upcoming online instructor-led courses this August. These courses are designed to equip professionals with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving field of electronics manufacturing and design. Whether you want to deepen your expertise in PCB design and manufacturing, understand the intricacies of intermetallic compounds, or learn about counterfeit part mitigation, IPC has a course tailored for you.