Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
American Made Advocacy: American Microelectronics Power the Future of High Technology
The Government Circuit: USMCA Review—A Crucial Opportunity to Fortify North American Electronics
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
January 31, 2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The year is off to a roaring start across the globe, but especially in the U.S. We’ll all be carefully watching the changes in policy, legislation, and enforcement coming out of Washington D.C., in the coming weeks and months. One thing is clear, though. No matter what your opinions or political affiliations are, things will change.
That said, it is impossible to look at last week’s news and draw any conclusions about how everything will equilibrate in the end. Frankly, it’s just too soon for that sort of analysis. In the meantime, here are last week’s five top stories. If you’ve read nothing else about the industry this week, read these.
Flexible PCB Market Size Projected to Reach $50.90 Billion by 2030
Published January 27
Business Wire reports, “The global flexible printed circuit boards market size is projected to reach USD 50.90 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 13.7% from 2025 to 2030.” Why? They suggest that “tegulated demand from the IT and telecom sector in view of growing need for circuits with higher data processing speed and higher working temperature is further augmenting the growth.” Read more here.
GlobalFoundries Announces New York Advanced Packaging and Photonics Center
Published January 24
Plans to create a new center for packaging and testing are supported by investments from the State of New York and the Department of Commerce. The intent is to provide packaging capabilities for U.S.-made essential chips. This development is where supply chain and national security overlap. Read the details here.
The Test Connection, Inc. Launches The Training Connection to Address Critical Test Engineering and Development Needs
Published January 24
Responding to the critical need to train skilled workers, The Test Connection has launched The Training Connection. Focusing on critical methodologies such as Design for Test (DFT) and IPC standards, The Training Connection posits that it is poised to empower professionals with the tools and expertise they need to excel.
Connect the Dots: Designing for Reality—Surface Finish
Published January 29
If you haven’t been following the “On The Line With…” podcast series with ASC/Sunstone’s Matt Stevenson, you should. Matt’s easily digestible explanations for each PCB fabrication process step will help you understand how all the various steps connect to deliver your printed circuit board. In this episode, Matt discusses surface finishes. Give it a listen.
SMTA Expands Access to All Online Training Courses for Members
Published January 27
The announcement says it best: “During its final meeting of 2024, the SMTA Board of Directors approved a proposal to include all online training courses for active members. This initiative aims to add substantial value to SMTA membership and streamline access to essential training resources. Members can now effortlessly sign in to order courses which will be immediately available to access in their SMTA Classroom.” Membership has its advantages. Read more about this in the February 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine, which publishes next week.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
SMT Perspectives & Prospects: Artificial Intelligence, Part 7—Data Module 2
04/08/2026 | Dr. Jennie Hwang -- Column: SMT Perspectives and ProspectsWhen I last wrote about data, I focused on data quality and size, data infrastructure, the boundaries of data training, data preparation, and the general challenges and concerns of data. This month, I will focus on alternative approaches, data governance, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic RAG.
Foundational Knowledge at Blackfox Training Institute
04/03/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOMarcy LaRont interviews Austin Addison from Blackfox Training at APEX EXPO 2026. Blackfox offers comprehensive IPC standards training, including J-Standard and specialized courses. Programs are tailored to individual needs, offering flexible training options and emphasizing the foundational knowledge required for certification.
Keysight Introduces Hands-On Semiconductor Teaching Labs for Universities Share
03/25/2026 | BUSINESS WIREKeysight Technologies, Inc. announced three new semiconductor teaching lab solutions designed to help universities prepare students for careers in the global semiconductor industry.
Jabil Commits $1.1M to Strengthen Manufacturing Talent Pipeline
03/23/2026 | JabilJabil Inc., a global engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions provider, announced it will donate a total of $1.1 million over three years to St. Petersburg College (SPC) to support the development of the College’s advanced manufacturing training programs.
Learning Lounge Returns, Better than Ever
03/09/2026 | Carlos Plaza, Global Electronics AssociationWhen we introduced the Learning Lounge at APEX EXPO 2025, it was an experiment born from necessity and creativity. This year, it returns as a proven destination for anyone seeking practical knowledge, industry insights, and expert-led discussions right on the show floor. The Learning Lounge concept emerged in October 2024 when I approached Alicia Balonek, senior director of events, about creating a dedicated space for sessions focused on education, training, workforce development, and technical challenges.