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Edy Yu: Daniel, can you please start by providing a little background on last year’s HKPCA show, with regard to size, sector and exhibitors?
Daniel Chan: According to the statistics we have available, last year we had more than 500 distributors and approximately 2,200 booths, occupying about 40,000 square meters. We had more than 40,000 visitors to the show. We saw industry people from all levels—executives, managers and engineers. Then, we saw equipment suppliers, as well as chemical, processing, and system suppliers, and even support system suppliers. With the platform the show provides, all of these folks were able to come together, interact and build relationships. Overall, previous shows, including last year’s, have been highly global and informative and have led to success for the industry as a whole.
Yu: What can attendees look forward to at this year’s show?
Chan: This year, HKPCA and IPC are working hard to provide the same engaging environment and make it a great show for the PCB industry, with an even bigger focus on the global aspect. We’d like to add to people’s knowledge of the PCB industry, particularly related to what many people are talking about right now—Industry 4.0, environmental subjects, smart automation, rigid-flex, etc.
We’re expecting at least 500 distributors, and as of today, we are seeing the attendance rate remain very high; we expect about 2,500 booths.
Yu: As one of the biggest shows in the Asia-Pacific region, what are you offering this year that will set it apart from others in this part of the world?
Chan: To make this the most important show in the region, the major goal will be for it to have an even more global emphasis than in previous years. We are reaching out to professionals around the world to attend. We’re going to provide a platform for several important topics to be even better understood, such as global market trends for 2016, and those topics I just mentioned. Also, sustainability and environmental protection will be a focus—how to reduce wastes and reduce energy consumption in the industry. Finally, we offer what I think is the best platform for making friendships and connections in the industry.
Yu: Why is it so important for buyers from abroad to visit this show?
Chan: I believe that no other show can bring together so many professionals from one industry, where they can reach the VIPs of an industry in one place. It’s a one-stop shop for buyers to get everything they need for 2016.
Yu: Speaking of next year, what is the market outlook in your opinion? Where is it heading?
Chan: Many people are talking about the second half of 2015 and the fluctuation of the stock market globally. There is a lot of stress right now in the electronics industry, and in the second half of this year we’ve seen a slowdown in general. Demand is smaller than the current supply, creating kind of a free competition scenario. We’ve seen price corrosion and mergers and acquisitions. But it is only short term. My personal point of view is that as more product comes out, especially with how 3G and 4G has been grooming the industry for the last 10 years, and the new induction of the Apple 6s, things will continue to improve. As more new product comes out next year, including 4.5G, along with the combination of TD, LTE, and FTTLTE technology coming out, the market will be stimulated.
With more people using more data, including the router, the middle-end router and the server, I’m sure demand will gradually increase. In the next three years, I don’t expect huge growth, but at least some kind of moderate move and growth in that particular segment. Then, 5G will create a total revolution in terms of how to help people communicate more effectively.
I see an application of microwave, particularly for the handset and also related to the infrastructure base station. With the increase of bandwidth used and more data being transmitted for the people with the use of 5G, I’m expecting there will be a boom in demand in terms of technology and quantity of the router, including for the back end. There will be even more demand for cloud computing, more intelligent servers to help create solutions, and smarter solutions to transmit all the way to the router and wirelessly to the handset. I really think the PCB industry will remain as the fundamental element in helping the industry grow, in conjunction with 5G, in the next four to five years. The PC will continue to be a technology cornerstone. I’m very confident about the industry.
Yu: Daniel, thank you for your time.
Chan: Thank you, Edy.
