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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
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/9816/9086/9878/Top5_picks.jpg)
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.
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.
iNEMI Packaging Tech Topic Webinar: Equipment Capabilities and Challenges to Support Advanced Packaging Trends
07/26/2024 | iNEMIModern day computing needs, notably AI/machine learning and high-performance computing, along with their subsequent memory and I/O requirements, are fueling an increased demand for semiconductor devices with higher performance, lower power consumption and latency as well as reduced footprint.
Looking For That Perfect Job? Check Out jobCONNECT007
07/25/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThere are a lot of open positions in this industry today. But where do you begin to look? We have the answer: jobCONNECT007, your guide to career opportunities in the electronic industry. In jobCONNECT007, you’ll find job openings that span the entire circuit board supply chain. Whether you’re involved in design, fabrication, assembly, test, or material development or distribution, this handy resource can help you get on your way to a new gig.
Lockheed Martin Awards Critical SPY-7 Radar Manufacturing to Spanish Companies
07/25/2024 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin, the global aerospace and deterrence company, awarded Indra, Escribano Mechanical and Engineering, and ICM (Integral de Conexión y Montajes, S.L.) purchase orders for AN/SPY-7(V)2 components on the F-110 frigate.
Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia 2024 Kicks Off
07/24/2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007After a long and grueling experience through last week’s airline IT meltdowns, I finally touched down in Bangkok, where I’m here for the inaugural Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia (THECA) show. The expo and technical conference kicked off Wednesday at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, featuring an expo and a technical conference.