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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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From Attraction to Action: Where Marketing Ends and Sales Begins
07/29/2025 | Brittany Martin, I-Connect007Before a PO hits the system, marketing has already done a lot of heavy lifting. Without strategic marketing, the PO might never arrive. At I-Connect007, we have been fortunate to help many companies achieve sales success through marketing. The key to success? Understanding how marketing leads to sales.
American Made Advocacy: A Growing Presence in Washington in Turbulent Times
07/29/2025 | Shane Whiteside -- Column: American Made AdvocacyLast month, PCBAA held its fourth annual meeting in Washington, D.C. It was our largest gathering to date and included speakers from the House and Senate, the Department of Commerce, and OEMs Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman. We also spent a day on Capitol Hill educating lawmakers and their staff about the importance of a secure domestic microelectronics supply chain.
TSMC’s Dr. C.C. Wei and Dr. Mark Liu to Receive SIA’s Highest Honor
07/28/2025 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced Dr. C.C. Wei, TSMC’s Chairman and CEO, and Dr. Mark Liu, TSMC’s Former Chairman and Former President & Co-CEO, have been selected as the 2025 co-recipients of our industry’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award.
Beyond Recycling: Reshaping Sustainability in Electronics
07/24/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEnvironmental sustainability, especially for carbon-intensive industries like electronics manufacturing, means businesses are often plagued with various reporting requirements that don’t necessarily address the root problem. To that end, SERI and the Global Electronics Association are teaming up to reshape sustainability in electronics.
Smart Automation: What Industry 4.0 Means for Mid-sized Electronics Manufacturing
07/24/2025 | Josh Casper -- Column: Smart AutomationIndustry 4.0 has become a go-to phrase in manufacturing circles, though it’s often used as a slogan rather than a clearly defined concept. At electronics manufacturing trade shows or conferences, marketing banners and vendor literature display the term prominently; many technical sessions also focus on it. Industry 4.0 is the push for smart factories, with a focus on autonomous machines, cloud-connected systems, and AI-powered decisions.