Fresh PCB Concepts: Resilience and Renewal in Domestic PCB Manufacturing
Designers Notebook: Power and Ground Distribution Basics
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Heat—The Hidden Villain of Power Electronics
IPC Issues February Economic Outlook Report: Economic Data Provides a Mixed View of the Economy
March 2, 2023 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Economic data over the last month is providing a mixed view of the economy per IPC’s February Economic Outlook report.
“On one hand, economic fundamentals continue to slow,” said Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist. “However, despite aggregate softness, certain segments continue to do well. For example, the defense and space equipment sector hit another new high in January, aerospace is up significantly from pre-pandemic levels and other sectors key to the electronics industry are holding up well.”
The report also shows that manufacturing sectors in Europe, the U.S., and China are all signaling contraction according to their respective PMI indexes, but in China and Europe at least, things are looking less bad this month. Despite signs of slowing demand, manufacturers continue to hire. “The broader economy added more than 500,000 new jobs, a shocking number in the midst of what many believe is the start of a recession,” added DuBravac.
Additional data in report show:
- U.S. manufacturing sentiment contracted for a third consecutive month, falling from 48.4 to 47.4 in January.
- U.S. industrial production was unchanged in January, but was noticeably weaker than the expected 0.5 percent increase. The manufacturing sector improved 1 percent in January, but prior months were revised downward leaving the headline index lower than previously believed. Industrial production has likely peaked, despite January’s rise.
- The S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI moved higher in January, rising from 47.8 to 48.8. The index hit a five month high, but remains in contractionary territory.
- EU electronics manufacturing output fell in December after a one month increase in November. Output declined 1.4 percent (month-on-month) and is down 0.9 percent over the last year.
- Despite indications that the global economy continues to slow, economists have marginally raised forecasts for economic growth in the U.S., Europe, and China for 2023.
View full report. For more information on IPC’s industry intelligence program including new reports, visit: www.ipc.org/advocacy/industry-intelligence.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Henger Microelectronics Expands Global Footprint with Major Equipment Shipment to Southeast Asia
10/31/2025 |Henger Microelectronics has reached a major milestone in its global expansion strategy with the successful shipment of advanced plasma etching and cleaning systems, along with automation equipment, to multiple countries and regions across Southeast Asia. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the company’s international growth and reinforces its position as a leading force in the global plasma equipment industry.
PCBAA Names Industry Veteran Dan Weber to Board of Directors
10/31/2025 | PCBAAThe Printed Circuit Board Association of America has added Dan Weber, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at TTM Technologies, to the PCBAA board of directors.
KLA Reports Fiscal Q1 2026 Results
10/31/2025 | PRNewswireKLA Corporation announced financial and operating results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2026, which ended on Sept. 30, 2025, and reported GAAP net income of $1.12 billion and GAAP net income per diluted share of $8.47 on revenues of $3.21 billion.
Samsung Teams With NVIDIA to Lead the Transformation of Global Intelligent Manufacturing Through New AI Megafactory
10/31/2025 | SamsungSamsung Electronics today announced plans to create a new AI Megafactory in collaboration with NVIDIA, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to lead the global paradigm shift toward AI-driven manufacturing.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Resilience and Renewal in Domestic PCB Manufacturing
10/30/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsAs veterans of PCB manufacturing, we have spent much of our careers walking factory floors, examining copper circuits under microscopes, and troubleshooting plating lines when they go awry at 2 a.m. We can say with confidence that PCBs are the unsung heroes of modern life. They’re in everything, from toothbrushes and thermostats to satellites and defense systems.