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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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Christoph Solka: Delivering Practical Industry Intelligence in Europe
December 31, 2025 | Chris Mitchell, VP of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics AssociationEstimated reading time: 1 minute
When Christoph Solka joined the Global Electronics Association earlier this year, he brought a passion for connecting data with real-world impact. Now leading Industry Intelligence in Europe, Christoph is helping Association members see the bigger picture in an industry that’s changing faster than ever. We spoke with Christoph about his journey, goals, and why good intelligence is more than just numbers on a page.
Christoph, could you share a bit about your background and how it led you to the Global Electronics Association?
Christoph Solka: I began my career in strategic marketing with leading companies in industrial equipment and electronics manufacturing. In these roles, I worked closely with operations, which allowed me to develop an appreciation for the kind of practical research that helps companies understand the market better and make strategic decisions.
Over time, I gravitated increasingly away from marketing and toward market analytics and intelligence, translating complex industry developments into clear, decision-ready insight for leaders and teams. Joining the Global Electronics Association allows me to leverage this blend of operational experience and analytical rigor to serve a broader community through industry intelligence.
What attracted you to the role of Director of Industry Intelligence?
This role sits at the intersection of data, strategy, and impact by connecting research to real manufacturing challenges and providing insights that leaders can act on. Our global perspective underscores the value of comparative intelligence across countries and regions and is rooted in real industry outcomes. Contributing focused European insight within this global context is both intellectually compelling and meaningful in the impact it makes.
Continue reading this article in the Fall 2025 issue of Community Magazine.
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SMTA Announces 2026 STAR Forum Technical Program
04/16/2026 | SMTAThe SMTA announced the finalized program for the High Reliability: Strategic Technology Advancement Research Forum which takes place on May 6-7, 2026 in Olathe, Kansas, USA.
Breaking the Manual Quoting Bottleneck in Wire Harness
04/15/2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineArik Vrobel has spent more than 35 years in wire harness manufacturing—starting in EL-Com, his father's shop, building it into a nationally recognized contract manufacturer, and ultimately selling to Aptiv/Winchester in 2021. But retirement didn't last long. Within months, Arik was back, not as a manufacturer this time, but as a technologist. His new company, Cableteque, is building the quoting and data automation platform he always wished existed.
Podcast Hits the Mark in a Materials Market
04/15/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007The base material of a printed circuit board is its literal and functional foundation. Isola, founded in 1912 in Düren, Germany, is one of the longest-standing manufacturers of glass-reinforced laminates in the electronics industry. Originally focused on insulation and fiberglass materials, the company played an early role in supplying the foundational substrates that enabled the growth of PCB technology. As electronics advanced, Isola evolved alongside the industry, expanding from basic glass-epoxy laminates into high-performance copper-clad materials and engineered prepregs.
New EIPC President: Building Strength Through Unity in Europe’s Electronics Industry
04/14/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Industry veteran Rico Schluter, newly appointed president of EIPC, discusses his decades-long journey through the European PCB industry and his vision for its future. From building advanced manufacturing operations to leading large-scale facility development in Lithuania, Rico shares insights into automation, workforce evolution, and the challenges of scaling production. He emphasizes the urgent need for stronger collaboration across European industry organizations to effectively influence policy in Brussels, particularly around supply chain resilience, trade regulations, and energy-related incentives.
2026 IPC Masters Competition China Wraps Up With Record Participation
04/07/2026 | Blair Yan, Global Electronics Association East AsiaThe three-day 2026 IPC Masters Competition concluded March 27 at productronica China in Shanghai, bringing together the largest and most highly skilled group of electronics assembly professionals in the event’s 16-year history. With 623 participants from 77 companies across China—up 30% from last year—the competition reflected a growing focus on the practical application of electronics manufacturing standards.