I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Well, progress is being made on resetting trade agreements. There was plenty of coverage in the mainstream news this week on the topic of trade agreements, including Monday's announcement of a trade agreement with China. I don’t see any evidence that we're done yet with the see-sawing global supply chain dynamic, and there will still be knock-on effects we haven't anticipated. But there is hope that things will get better rather than worse. 

My picks for the week include—as a complement to the trade agreement news—SEMI's public support of a bill including new tax credit eligibility for semiconductor manufacturers. This provision feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress; here’s hoping Congress takes a more holistic approach to electronics manufacturing. 

I highlight a market report on OSAT manufacturers worldwide. It’s worth a read for you supply chain experts. Two of our columnists this week wrote complementary pieces on active listening and problem-solving with your customers—it's always good to keep up with the foundational skills. Finally, a piece on manufacturing investments in India. Regional build-out is clearly a global shift in thinking.

SEMI Applauds New Bill to Clarify Tax Credit Eligibility for Critical Semiconductor Suppliers Under U.S. CHIPS Act
Published May 12

This feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress. With a lot of uncertainty about the future of the CHIPS Act under the Trump administration, I can see why legislators are eager to introduce new legislation to keep electronics manufacturing front and center.

Top 10 OSAT Companies of 2024 Revealed—China Players See Double-Digit Growth, Reshaping the Global Market Landscape
Published May 13

New developments in OSAT and advanced packaging are emerging as technology drivers for the assembly line, especially for EMS companies. This Trendforce report summarizes the conflicting forces in the OSAT space: demand growth and provider consolidation. See how the main players in the OSAT space are jockeying for position and niche in this report.  

It’s Only Common Sense: Stop Pitching, Start Listening
Published May 12

Dan Beaulieu’s column tackles the fine art of active listening. For example, Dan writes, “It’s about forming genuine connections through open-ended questions that demonstrate curiosity and empathy. These questions show your customer you’re interested in helping them succeed.” You can’t hear their pain points if you’re the one doing the talking. 

Fresh PCB Concepts: The Power of a Lunch & Learn for PCB Professionals
Published May 15

It’s a moment of I-Connect007 Zen when our columnists line up on complementary topics. In this case, NCAB’s Michael Marshall and Dan Beaulieu both had similar thoughts. One way to develop a thriving environment for active listening is to follow Michael Marshall’s guidelines for Lunch & Learn customer visits. Seriously, engineers have a special appreciation for a good mid-day meal and a technical discussion Learn more about Michael’s winning formula here.

Indian Government Establishes Panel for New National Manufacturing Mission
Published May 14

Creating (or revitalizing) electronics manufacturing at the regional level is a global trend, and India is investing in its own manufacturing infrastructure. According to the article, manufacturing makes up about 16–17% of India’s GDP, and the Indian government is looking to increase that share.