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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
May 24, 2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Recently, I was reading a report from Deloitte on the Mexican economy (and don’t judge me what I read while I wait my turn at the gym). This particular report is cited in an interview scheduled for the June 2024 issue of SMT007 Magazine. I made note of a few things.
The construction of industrial facilities in the country has grown 19% in the first six months of 2023, compared to the same period last year. Factories within Mexican border can affix the “Made in Mexico” label on their goods and pay zero duty on a large number of products exported into the U.S. Since March 2022, Mexico is now the largest commercial partner of the United States, passing China.
The authors are quite clear in their conclusions: “Mexico is a manufacturing country, and more importantly, it is a reassembler. It imports intermediate goods that it transforms into semifinal or final products, which are then largely exported. This phenomenon is quite significant in Mexican commerce, as manufacturing exports represent almost 90% of total exports, while non-oil intermediate imports represent 70% of total imports.”
We’ll be looking at the changing EMS landscape in the upcoming issue of SMT007 Magazine, and the dynamics in Mexico make for a great case study. That issue will publish in early June. Until then, here are my picks for the top news items of the past week, all of which report on fundamental shifts to the landscape of our industry.
DuPont Announces Plan to Separate into Three Independent, Publicly Traded Companies
Published May 23
DuPont announced a plan to separate into three distinct, publicly traded companies. New DuPont will be a premier diversified industrial company powered by deep materials science and application engineering expertise, industry-leading innovation, top-tier manufacturing capabilities, and iconic brands such as Tyvek®, Kevlar® and Nomex®. New DuPont will have a strong presence in fast-growing healthcare end-markets including applications for biopharma consumables, medical devices, and medical packaging. As independent entities, both Electronics and Water will benefit from increased focus and agility in their respective industries. At separation, each of the three companies will have strong balance sheets, attractive financial profiles and compelling growth opportunities.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Unveiling the New Chief Strategist of Advanced Packaging at IPC
Published May 21
As IPC's new chief strategist of advanced packaging, Devan Iyer shares his industry experience and the objectives of his role and emphasizes the necessity for solid standards and guidelines for new packaging technologies and design methodologies. He also highlights the significance of diverse package technologies. This is one to keep an eye on as IPC leads the conversation on this topic.
Scalable ZLD and a Solution for PCB Start-ups
Published May 23
Alex Stepinski continues to share his innovative thinking and design insights in developing manufacturing processes that deliver on ecological sustainability goals. In this interview, Stepinski discusses his Zero Liquid Discharge systems, and his concerns for the global PCB fabrication industry. You can always count on Alex to keep the industry moving forward.
China Retains Market Advantage in Battery Development Despite U.S. Raising Tariffs on Chinese Battery Imports to 25%
Published May 23
Trendforce reports that in the short term, increased tariffs and IRA regulations underscore the growing geopolitical influence on the EV industry. U.S. automakers can mitigate these impacts by partnering with established battery makers from Japan and South Korea or investing in solid-state battery technology. In the long term, scaling up EV sales to achieve economies of scale is crucial for reducing battery costs.
IBM to Acquire Octo
Published May 20
IBM announced an agreement to acquire Octo, a U.S.-based IT modernization and digital transformation services provider exclusively serving the U.S. federal government, including defense, health, and civilian agencies. IBM's acquisition of Octo establishes one of the largest digital transformation partners to the federal government. This acquisition speaks to the increased strategic importance of data management and digital transformation to all industry, not solely electronics manufacturing.
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Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
ICAPE Group Unveils Exclusive Report on Sustainability in Electronics Manufacturing
09/15/2025 | ICAPE GroupICAPE Group, a global leader in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and custom electronics manufacturing, today announces the launch of its 2025 Industry Outlook & Innovation Report: Sustainability in Electronics Manufacturing. This exclusive report is accompanied by fresh insights from a dedicated Statista survey of 100 electronics manufacturing professionals, commissioned by ICAPE Group.
Panasonic Industry will Double the Production Capacity of MEGTRON Multi-layer Circuit Board Materials Over the Next Five Years
09/15/2025 | Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd.Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, announced plans for a major expansion of its global production capacity for MEGTRON multi-layer circuit board materials today. The company plans to double its production over the next five years to meet growing demand in the AI server and ICT infrastructure markets.
Sustainability and Selective Soldering
09/15/2025 | Dr. Samuel J. McMaster, Pillarhouse InternationalSustainability is more than just a buzzword for the electronics industry; it’s a key goal for all manufacturing processes. This is more than a box-ticking exercise or simply doing a small part for environmentally friendly processes. Moving toward sustainable solutions drives innovation and operational efficiency.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
09/12/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007We may be post-Labor Day, but it is still hot-hot-hot here in the great state of Arizona—much like our news cycles, which have continued to snap, crackle, and pop with eye-raising headlines over this past week. In broader global tech news this week, AI and tariff-type restrictions continues to dominate with NVIDIA raising its voice against U.S. lawmakers pushing chip restrictions, ASML investing in a Dutch AI start-up company to the tune of $1.5 billion, and the UAE joining the ranks of the U.S. and China in embracing “open source” with their technology in hopes of accelerating their AI position.
IPS, SEL Raise the Bar for ENIG Automation in North America
09/11/2025 | Mike Brask, IPSIPS has installed a state-of-the-art automated ENIG plating line at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories’ PCB facility in Moscow, Idaho. The 81-foot, fully enclosed line sets a new standard for automation, safety, and efficiency in North American PCB manufacturing and represents one of the largest fully enclosed final finish lines in operation.