Defense Speak Interpreted: Is DARPA Still Around After CHIPS?
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
March 21, 2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
IPC APEX EXPO has wrapped up another successful year, and the 25th anniversary proved to be another great event with record attendance, a robust technical conference, and interesting professional development tracks. In addition, dozens of standards development committees were in session, and we look forward to what comes of those. Can we get some virtual applause for our 100% volunteer standards committee members?
In the busy I-Connect07 booth, we conducted more than 60 video interviews with many of today’s top industry influencers. I’m tired, my voice is shot, and ready to go home but it’s been a great week. Stay tuned for all the great post-show coverage that we will be sharing in our newsletters and at Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2025 in the coming weeks. There is so much news to share, it’s hard to choose just five, but here are my pics for this week’s must-read items in articles and news.
IPC APEX EXPO 2025: And So It Begins
Published March 19
The show floor officially opened on Tuesday to large crowds and busy booths. Nolan Johnson covers the highlights of this first day, and previews what was to come next. Please also read my review of the Emerging Engineer reception. I’m so excited about this program and the way it encourages and mentors young professionals in the industry. “Hot topics already include AI concepts and applications, advanced packaging, ultra HDI, and inter-machine data exchange,” Nolan writes. If you were unable to make it this year, read on for a small intro into the big show.
Technica USA Appoints Jason Perry as New President
Published March 19
Big news coming out of IPC APEX EXPO: Jason Perry has been appointed as the new president of Technica USA, a leading provider of materials, equipment, assembly, MEMS, and semiconductor industries. With 26 years of experience, Jason brings deep industry knowledge and a proven track record of leadership. His appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Technica USA, a company we enjoy working with. Congratulations, Jason.
Electronics Manufacturers Double Down on Sustainability Efforts Despite Challenges, According to New Report by IPC
Published March 18
At APEX EXPO this week, sustainability was a popular topic. IPC is committed to this initiative, and in this announcement, shared details of Evolve, a comprehensive program designed to help electronics companies move sustainability forward on an accelerated path. “Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about opportunity,” says John Mitchell, IPC President and CEO. “The electronics industry has an unprecedented chance to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and meet the growing demand for sustainable products." No doubt, there will be more to come on the Evolve program, so stay tuned.
Paige Fiet: From Emerging Engineer to Quality at TTM
Published March 19
It seems fitting as we end this show week to highlight Paige Fiet, a graduate of the Emerging Engineers program and a previous columnist for PCB007 Magazine. Paige is now a quality engineer for TTM and a great example of what the IPC Emerging Engineer Program provides to young engineers. They are new to the industry and trying to find their footing while charting a potential long-term career path. This is a great feel-good feature and I appreciate Paige sharing it with us.
Punching Out: Fewer Than 150 PCB Shops Remain in North America
Published March 20
It likely comes as little surprise to most of us that the number of PCB fabricators who actually make boards has continued to decline. In Tom Kastner’s latest column, he recounts the situation, citing 42 known acquisitions between 2020 and 2024, with the current number of PCB shops having fallen below 150. With so much talk about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., it is difficult to know what this means for domestic fabrication, especially defense and critical infrastructure. A dedicated U.S. supply chain has immediate needs, but for the hard numbers and current estimates on mergers and acquisitions, I encourage you to read on.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Magnalytix and Foresite to Host Technical Webinar on SIR Testing and Functional Reliability
06/26/2025 | MAGNALYTIXMagnalytix, in collaboration with Foresite Inc., is pleased to announce an upcoming one-hour Webinar Workshop titled “Comparing SIR IPC B-52 to Umpire 41 Functional & SIR Test Method.” This session will be held on July 24, 2025, and is open to professionals in electronics manufacturing, reliability engineering, and process development seeking insights into new testing standards for climatic reliability.
IPC Rebrands as Global Electronics Association: Interview With Dr. John W. Mitchell
06/22/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Today, following a major announcement, IPC is embracing the rapid advancement of technology with a bold decision to change its name to the Global Electronics Association. This name more accurately reflects the full breadth of its work and the modern realities of electronics manufacturing. In this exclusive interview, Global Electronics Association President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell shares the story behind the rebrand: Why now, what it means for the industry, and how it aligns with the organization’s mission.
Global Electronics Association Debuts; New Name Elevates IPC’s 70-Year Legacy as Voice of $6 Trillion Electronics Industry
06/25/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationToday begins a new chapter for IPC as it officially becomes the Global Electronics Association, reflecting its role as the voice of the electronics industry. Guided by the vision of “Better electronics for a better world,” the Global Electronics Association (electronics.org) is dedicated to enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting accelerated growth through engagement with more than 3,000 member companies, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments across the globe.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/20/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007It’s been a busy week in this industry, and we have news and articles from the PCB design, fabrication and assembly communities. Some of this news is out of this world. We may be losing the high ground—the really high ground. Columnist Jesse Vaughan explains how the U.S. seems to be falling behind in space, and how this could affect our ability to defend ourselves in the future. We have an update on the U.S.-China tariff talks, which seem to be moving forward, though sometimes at a snail’s pace.
New IPC VP Joe Schneider Building Stronger Focus on U.S., Canada
06/19/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007IPC has hired Joe Schneider as a vice president to strengthen its regional focus and address the specific needs in the U.S. and Canada. Joe brings a rich background in OEM and contract manufacturing, including with industry giants like Siemens and Abbott Laboratories. In this interview, he shares his vision for the region, which emphasizes workforce development and supply chain challenges.