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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Top Five Must-Reads for the Week
April 7, 2023 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The adage about spring weather in Northern temperate climates is, “April showers bring May flowers.” This is, of course, on the heels of March, when the weather comes “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” The suggestion for March is that whatever way the month starts, it will end just the opposite. But we’re in the first week of April, where things are expected to settle into a steady state of preparation for an abundance just over the horizon. Sound a bit like our business climate right now, doesn’t it?
This week my editor’s picks include news of abundance: SMTC goes private, Flex gets kudos from General Motors, Zentech’s leadership changes, and local expos seem to be thriving—at least in Texas. Last but not least, this week we combine two interviews into a single news item covering the Presidential Determination that directly affects the electronics manufacturing industry. If you’re not sure what that is, never fear. These two interviews below will give you clarity.
SMTC Corporation Announces Completion of Investment by H.I.G. Capital
Published April 4
SMTC, a major player in the EMS sector on a global scale, has just gone private with this purchase transaction with H.I.G. Capital. The deal is reported to have a transaction price of $43 billion. For many companies in a dynamic market with a shifting competitive landscape, going private can be an advantage. SMTC’s move to private equity fits that trend.
Zentech Appoints Mike Buseman as President & CEO
Published April 5
Mike Buseman officially takes the helm from Zentech President and CEO Steve Pudles on April 10. In the announcement, Buseman said, “These are extraordinary times for U.S. manufacturing, and I am excited about our next stage of growth. Together with the team, we will continue to partner with our customers as a trusted source to deliver their mission critical manufacturing solutions. There are many opportunities ahead and we will double-down to drive even higher performance for our customers, our employees, and our stakeholders.” Mike, these an interesting times for our industry, and we wish you much success.
Serving up SMTA—Texas Style
Published April 3
Last week, Barry Matties attended the SMTA Dallas Expo and the SMTA Houston Expo. In this report from the file, Barry shares his impressions of this “Texas Two Step” of industry gatherings, including plenty of photographs and a video. Catch up with what an SMTA local chapter expo looks like.
Flex Recognized as a 2022 Supplier of the Year by General Motors
Published April 6
“Each year, GM's Supplier of the Year recipients are selected by a global, cross-functional GM team for their performance in criteria such Product Purchasing, Global Purchasing and Manufacturing Services, Customer Care and Aftersales and Logistics.” This news piece announces that Flex has indeed been recognized as a 2022 GM Supplier of the Year. With all the supply chain and other challenges, supplying the “just in time” auto manufacturers can be a challenge.
And finally, a two-fer:
Deciphering the Presidential Determination
Published April 3
PCBAA Reacts to Implications of Biden’s PCB Determination
Published April 5
My final pick is not a single news item, but rather a single story with two complementary reports. On March 27, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Determination recognizing the printed circuit industry as important to U.S. strategic defenses. This determination changes some of the rules of engagement between U.S. DoD and the electronics manufacturing industries. These two interviews discuss the implications of this change with representatives from PCAA and IPC. I believe as you listen to these two conversations, you’ll get a clearer picture about how this affects our industry.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/25/2024 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Just this month, the Fall issue of IPC Community was released, spotlighting the global activities of IPC and its members. SMT007 Magazine covers the scary situation around counterfeit components. Design007 Magazine is not playing tricks with its hard-hitting discussions about “partial HDI.” (If you are asking yourself what that is, you really need to take a look.) Finally, PCB007 Magazine’s alternate metallization issue offers some real treats, including an interview featured this past week with Carmichael Gugliotti of MacDermid Alpha. In you’re in the U.S., here’s to an early Happy Halloween.
Exploring Advanced PCB Final Finishing: DIG, RAIG Technologies
10/24/2024 | Rich DePoto, UyemuraIn this interview, Rich DePoto of Uyemura provides a deep overview and explanation of Reduction-assisted Immersion Gold (RAIG) and direct immersion gold (DIG) technology, and their applications and benefits when compared to traditional final finishes. He delves into the intricacies of electroless nickel corrosion and “black pad,” exploring its causes, consequences, and the measures that can be taken to mitigate this problem. This comprehensive overview will provide insight toward sound decision-making for those operating in environments where perfect process control is a challenge.
2024 IPC CEMAC China Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference Focuses on the Electronics Industry’s Future
10/24/2024 | IPCThe 2024 IPC CEMAC China Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference, co-organized by IPC and the Shanghai Pudong New Area Quality Technology Association, kicked off with a grand opening ceremony in Shanghai. Themed "Making Your Imagination Reality," the event has brought together leaders, technical experts, and corporate representatives from the global electronics manufacturing industry to explore future trends and opportunities.
Highlights of the ICT 50th Anniversary Symposium
10/24/2024 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007Why does it always rain when I attend these events? Temperatures were dropping, daylight was shrinking, and there were seasonal colour changes in wet hedgerows as I travelled to Gloucestershire for the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Institute of Circuit Technology at Puckrup Hall near Tewkesbury in mid-October. It was a memorable occasion: Nostalgic for my contemporaries who remembered our industry at its most prosperous, technically outstanding in the quality and significance of presentations to an attentive audience of printed circuit professionals, and complemented by the sharing of ideas, information, and trade gossip within a friendly community at the evening gathering.
Global Citizenship: Comparing and Contrasting the U.S. and China PCB Industries
10/23/2024 | Tom Yang -- Column: Global CitizenshipI have spent a lot of time in the U.S., and one question I am frequently asked is about the differences between the Chinese and U.S. PCB industries. It’s always an interesting question, and I will try to answer it in this month’s column. Certainly, the U.S. was the leader in PCB manufacturing, including developing the processes and technology, which it taught to the Chinese in the late 1980s and ’90s. As a result, China has become a force to be reckoned with in the global PCB market. Having been educated in America and now leading a major PCB manufacturing company in China, I have a unique vantage point when it comes to comparing the two nations’ approaches to PCB production.