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

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

When you work in the news business, even in trade media, you can never really get that far away from it. We never want to miss something important. Chances are, even the books we take on our “vacations” end up having to do with the business. For example, my colleague Michelle Te recommended “Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull, a business skills study wrapped up in stories about Pixar, which I brought with me on a trip through the stunning U.S. Mountain West. Now, I’m back, and here are my recommendations for the week.

I start with an important new I-Connect007 book by Carmichael Gugliotti of MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions on direct metallization. I’m also featuring Brittany Martin’s latest tips on marketing strategies, Denny Fritz's deciphering of the Department of Defense and why this matters to electronics manufacturers, an open letter to Congress from the Semiconductor Industry Association, and a slew of summer technical courses available through the Global Electronics Association.

I-Connect007 Releases The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Direct Metallization: A Guide to Complex PCB Fabrication
Published May 12

MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solution’s Carmichael Gugliotti is the author of this up-to-the-minute guide. Electroless has been the defacto standard fab process for quite some time, he says, but electroless falls short when working with the densities and fine feature sizes fabs are now called upon to manufacture. Whether you’re a designer, fabricator or an assembler, Gugliotti offers a concise, digestible take on what direct metallization is, and why it should matter to you.

Defense Speak Interpreted: Understanding What the Department of Defense Is, and Isn’t
Published May 12

Did you realize that many programs commonly thought to fall under the Department of Defense are, in fact, civilian programs? In this column, Denny Fritz dispels several common assumptions about technology programs within the U.S. government. Denny details each one and explains why these civilian bureaus do not operate in the same way as the DoD. If you work with government contracts, or want to, you’ll want to pay attention to what Denny has to say.

The Marketing Minute: If Your Marketing Budget Gets Cut in Half, Then What?
Published May 13

I used to work in marketing, and I know how budgets get “realigned” from year to year. In this column, Brittany Martin delivers a wake-up call: What is your real marketing strategy? If you’re not sure, she offers a way to find out in 60 seconds or less. The implications of your answer might just change how you make marketing strategy decisions.

Top Business Groups Urge Congress to Extend, Expand Successful Semiconductor Tax Credit
Published May 14

The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC) is set to expire at the end of 2026. In anticipation, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) along with a coalition of 1 other top business and trade groups sent a letter to Congress urging an extension. SIA President and CEO John Neuffer is quoted as saying, “The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit has been a major driver of America’s recent semiconductor resurgence, and it’s critical policymakers act now to build on this success.”

For those of us in the PCB part of electronics manufacturing, we all know that chips need interconnect to be useful, and a thriving domestic semiconductor industry creates PCB opportunities as well.

New Courses: Advance Your Electronics Expertise in June and July
Published May 14

Live, instructor-led technical courses developed by the education staff at the Global Electronics Association, all without leaving your home? Sign me up! If you’re looking for additional technical training to enhance your job skills, be sure to look into these course offerings. Classes start June 1 and continue throughout the summer.