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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
August 1, 2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I know, I promised I’d be back Aug. 8. But plans change, and here I am closing out July while Andy takes the baton next week. Honestly, I’m glad to be here this week because the stories we’re spotlighting say a lot about where the electronics industry stands and where it’s heading.
We start with the latest report from the Global Electronics Association: North American PCB sales are down 8.6% in June. That might sound grim, but keep reading—there’s more to the story. Bookings are holding steady, and Dr. Shawn DuBravac offers context that paints a more balanced picture.
Next, we turn our gaze to India, where mobile phone exports have surged 127-fold over the past decade. That stat alone says volumes about India’s emergence as a force in electronics manufacturing, something we’ll be digging into more deeply in an upcoming SMT007 feature.
Then there’s optimization on the shop floor, advocacy efforts from PCBAA, and a strong marketing column from Brittany Martin. That’s five stories, five vantage points, and one clear message: This industry isn’t slowing down. So let’s stay informed, stay proactive, and as always, stay connected.
North American PCB Industry Sales Down 8.6% in June 2025
Published July 28
While this decline certainly seems significant on the surface, bookings, at a ratio of 1.06, continue to show strength. Last year was particularly strong for shipments. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist for the Global Electronics Association, shares his sentiments about what this means and what you can expect.
India’s Mobile Phone Exports Surge 127 Times in a Decade
Published July 28
This is just one of the news items that emphasize the emergence of India as a player in our industry. It’s taken some time, but expect to see India emerge as a key player in the global electronics manufacturing industry. You’ll see more in-depth coverage of the India market in an upcoming issue of SMT007 Magazine, and I look forward to sharing what we’re learning.
New Podcast Episode Drop: Optimize the Interconnect and the Future of HDI
Published July 28
Extending your manufacturing profitability and capability means constant optimization. MKS has been exploring strategies for optimization on the line. Chris Ryder shares compelling real-world examples that illustrate why Optimize the InterconnectSM is gaining traction across the industry.
American Made Advocacy: A Growing Presence in Washington in Turbulent Times
Published July 29
On the advocacy front, the PCBAA’s annual trip to Washington, D.C., brought together policymakers, OEMs, and supply chain champions for a full-court press on Capitol Hill. Shane Whiteside walks us through the week’s agenda, the conversations, and why this work matters now more than ever—especially with a 50% copper tariff looming.
From Attraction to Action: Where Marketing Ends and Sales Begins
Published July 29
Brittany Martin explains how to create that compelling call to action. “Many people think marketing and sales are the same, but while they’re closely connected, they play distinct roles,” she states, setting up the conversation to make the distinction clear. For more about how to build and sell your brand, read the July issue of PCB007 Magazine, and the August issue of SMT007 Magazine, which publishes this coming Monday, Aug. 4.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/25/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007In industry news this past week, I’m putting a focus on sustainability in electronics by highlighting my interview with Kelly Scanlon and Corey Dehmey, and Nolan Johnson’s Meet the Author podcast with Beth Turner of MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. I also chose to spotlight the M&A activity and outlook in the U.S. market and regional market news in India and Mexico.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/18/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007It may be the middle of the summer, but the news doesn’t quit, and there’s plenty to talk about this week, whether you’re talking technical or on a global scale. When I have to choose six items instead of my regular five, you know it’s good. I start by highlighting my interview with Martyn Gaudion on his latest book, share some concerning tariff news, follow that up with some promising (and not-so-promising) investments, and feature a paper from last January’s inaugural Pan-European Design Conference.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/11/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineThis week, we have quite a variety of news items and articles for you. News continues to stream out of Washington, D.C., with tariffs rearing their controversial head again. Because these tariffs are targeted at overseas copper manufacturers, this news has a direct effect on our industry.I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
Trump Copper Tariffs Spark Concern
07/10/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamPresident Donald Trump stated on July 8 that he plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports, sparking concern in a global industry whose output is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, semiconductors, and a wide range of consumer goods. According to Yahoo Finance, copper futures climbed over 2% following tariff confirmation.
I-Connect007 Observes U.S. Independence Day Holiday
07/04/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Today marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. Known widely in the U.S. as Independence Day or “The Fourth of July,” this day also commemorates the declaration by the Congress that the American colonies are free and independent states.